Vitamin B12 Deficiency Impacts More Than Just Energy

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Wellbeing Leave a Comment

Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient for energy, brain health, hormone function and pregnancy. Which is why a vitamin B12 deficiency impacts more than just energy. Here are some of the other equally serious vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms. Deficiency is Common Depending on which study you look at, anywhere from 20-40% of the U.S. population has suboptimal levels of this …

Functional Medicine | Naturopathic Physician Oregon | DrBrighten.com

Lab Tests—Could Your Doctor Be Missing Something?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Wellbeing Leave a Comment

Have you ever received a letter or a note from your doctor about your lab test results that simply says, “Everything is normal?” Unfortunately, for many people, their doctor will tell them everything looks normal, although they feel utterly terrible. Getting regular lab testing done is an important part of every person’s health journey.  It gives your physician valuable insight into …

6 Ways to Support Your Adrenals After Baby

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Postpartum Leave a Comment

If there is one universal piece of advice that I give to all moms it is—Support Your Adrenals Postpartum! Postpartum adrenal fatigue is serious. You may have been warned about the massive fluctuations in hormones after childbirth. The fallout from the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone in the weeks following birth results in different symptoms for different women. The biggies …

What is Leaky Gut?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance Leave a Comment

Like the term adrenal fatigue, you may have heard the expression leaky gut floating around on the internet. In the same way that adrenal fatigue is not a medical term and more of a layman’s term used by patients, neither is leaky gut. Instead, medical professionals refer to the phenomenon of “leaky gut” as intestinal hyperpermeability. While your doctor may …

Hashimoto's Autism | Dr. Jolene Brighten | DrBrighten.com

The Hashimoto’s and Autism Connection

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Digestion Leave a Comment

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the thyroid gland and has been correlated with autism in the offspring of mothers with the condition. Without intervention, the result is immune destruction to the mother’s thyroid, often with a need for medication. There is somewhat of a “myth” in mainstream medicine that leads some doctors to the conclusion that once …

Celiac Disease— More Than Just a Tummy Ache

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Digestion Leave a Comment

Awhile back, I attended a school event with my son and through a series of events I came to realize there’s a whole lot people do not understand about celiac disease. I’ve written about my son’s food sensitivities before (there’s a long list here), but it just so happens that there is girl in his class that shares the big …

Surviving Adrenal Fatigue in Motherhood

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones Leave a Comment

Adrenal fatigue as a mom is rough.  Are you dragging to get out of bed every morning? Do you feel moody often? How about low in energy, an inability to fall asleep at night or maybe you’re craving sugar and salt? If any of these are sounding familiar your adrenals may be in need of some support. One of the …