Archive for September 2025
IGF-1: The Growth Factor You Need to Know About
When patients come to my clinic frustrated by low energy, sluggish recovery, stubborn weight gain, or “feeling older than they should,” one hormone is often flying under the radar: insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). We spend so much time talking about testosterone, cortisol, or thyroid hormones that IGF-1 rarely gets a seat at the table.…
Read MoreMen’s Health Reset: How Gut Health, Hormones, and Peptides Work Together for Lasting Vitality
If you’ve been bouncing between supplements, patching in testosterone therapy, or chasing the latest “biohack” from social media, let me stop you right there. Because here’s the truth: lasting vitality for men doesn’t come from one-off fixes. It comes from understanding how your systems work together—your gut, your hormones, your mitochondria, and even your peptides.…
Read MoreWhy We Left Conventional Medicine – The Untold Truth About Healing Hormones & Gut Health
In this episode of Hormones, Metabolism, and You, Dr. Cassie Smith welcomes two new Modern Endocrine providers, Dustin Pollard and Lacy Long, for a heartwarming and insightful conversation about their journey into functional medicine. Dustin and Lacy open up about their diverse medical backgrounds—from pediatric and cardiovascular intensive care to women’s health and community nursing—and…
Read MoreCortisol, Stress & The Leaky Gut Syndrome in Men: Breaking the Cycle
When I sit down with male patients in my clinic, I often hear a similar story: “I’m exhausted, I can’t focus, my gut is a mess, and nothing I’ve tried seems to work.” They’ve taken probiotics, testosterone boosters, and every supplement they could find online, but still, they’re bloated, moody, and drained. What they’re rarely…
Read MoreSpiced Butternut Squash & Coconut Soup
Ingredients: 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 can (13 oz) coconut milk 3 cups vegetable broth 1 tsp turmeric Sea salt and black pepper, to taste Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast squash cubes with olive…
Read MoreSheet-Pan Citrus Salmon with Fennel & Carrots
Ingredients: 4 wild salmon fillets 2 oranges, thinly sliced 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced 3 carrots, cut into matchsticks 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp rosemary Sea salt, to taste Instructions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange salmon fillets, fennel, and carrots on a lined sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with rosemary and…
Read MoreThyroid-Nourishing Lentil & Kale Stew
Ingredients: 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 carrots, chopped 4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups kale, chopped 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp cumin Sea salt and black pepper, to taste Instructions: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, garlic, and carrots for…
Read MoreWarm Apple & Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa (warm) 1 small apple, diced 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp nutmeg ½–1 cup unsweetened almond milk Instructions: Warm quinoa in a saucepan with almond milk until creamy. Stir in diced apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Top with walnuts before serving. Benefits: Quinoa provides complete protein, apples add…
Read MoreHormone-Balancing Pumpkin Chia Pudding
Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk ½ cup pumpkin puree 3 tbsp chia seeds ½ tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1–2 tsp monk fruit or stevia (to taste) Instructions: Whisk almond milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, spice, and sweetener together until smooth. Stir in chia seeds. Pour into jars and refrigerate at least…
Read MoreMaple-Roasted Root Vegetable Bowl
Ingredients: 1 medium sweet potato, cubed 2 large carrots, sliced 2 small beets, peeled and cubed 2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved 2 tbsp avocado oil ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp sea salt 1–2 tbsp pure maple syrup 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sweet potato, carrots, beets, and Brussels sprouts…
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