Whether you have diabetes, heart disease, a gastrointestinal or an autoimmune disorder, medical nutrition therapy can assist with lowering inflammation and improving health. Changing the balance in your diet or adding or subtracting certain foods can make all the difference. Below is a shortened list of medical challenges I specialize in.

I began my career path at UCLA as a clinical dietitian working with those who were compromised medically in the hospital. While I would not have chosen this beginning, it gave me the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about complex medical issues and how to develop solutions for treatment.

Insulin Resistance/Diabetes

You may not be aware that metabolism begins at conception. What your mother ate while she was pregnant, how much weight she gained and how much you weighed at birth can make all the difference in whether you are insulin sensitive (thin, high metabolism) versus insulin resistance (weight challenges, sluggish metabolism). There is a large spectrum of insulin resistance and those with the highest level have type 2 diabetes. However, one can be insulin resistant their whole life and not diabetic.

Together we will assess your level of insulin resistance and how to rebalance your diet to improve your weight and health. Even if you’ve been overweight your whole life, a diet shift can make all the difference. Having the knowledge of how to balance your meals may be all that is needed. Those prone to insulin resistance have lifelong weight issues, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), hypoglycemia, glucose intolerance, gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Gastrointestinal Health

Did you know that your gut is now referred to as the “second brain?” If you have gastrointestinal challenges such as GERD, SIBO, IBS, etc. chances are you are suffering on a regular basis, many times in silence. Although gut issues are challenging to tease out, a diet shift, a certain supplement or knowing what to add in or subtract may dramatically improve these issues. Since your gut is half the size of a football field a lot can occur and I am happy to work with you to navigate the best course of healing.

Inflammatory Challenges

Whether you have an autoimmune disease such as arthritis, M.S. or various others, an anti-inflammatory diet can dramatically change your level of discomfort of pain. The standard American diet of processed foods devoid of omega 3’s and high in omega 6’s leads to inflammation in many individuals. Inflammation in the body can also lead to multiple problems including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. Following an anti-inflammatory diet can shift your body to an improved state of health depending on the current level and how long you’ve had pain. However, I am happy to work with you and will be honest about what might help, given where you are at in the course of your health quest.

Menopause

Menopause is a challenging time of life for multiple reasons – hot flashes, weight and energy challenges, sleep disturbance, joint pain, etc. As your hormone levels decrease they lead to these metabolic issues and if ignored can progressively get worse. The belly fat around the middle occurs due to plummeting estrogen, leading to stubborn weight gain despite your best efforts to diet and exercise. I will explain the physiology of what is going on in your body and partner with you to help navigate towards health as you don’t have to accept this as the norm. Rebalancing your macronutrients to lower insulin resistance will help decrease belly fat and improve energy levels. Knowing what supplements to add or subtract may be needed as well. I will individualize your program to fit your specific metabolic challenges.