Blog Posts and Articles

Everyone—and I mean everyone—should see this video. It’s currently the shot heard ‘round the world, a massive unveiling of truth that’s not opinion, not speculation. Not “conspiracy.” It’s a summary of the shocking details that’s right there in the internal documentation—tens of thousands of pages of it. And the FDA said, “Don’t let the public see these documents.”

When it comes to eco-labeling on food, do you know what to look for? Are you getting what you pay for? Do you understand what those labels mean? Or are you being greenwashed and humanewashed? And what are the most reliable labels?

While optimizing thyroid hormone production is obviously necessary, one often missing and critical piece of the conversation is thyroid hormone conversion…converting “the lame duck” to “the big daddy.”

Glutathione is a powerful immune-boosting, cancer-fighting, autoimmunity-taming antioxidant that many experts are just coming around to fully understanding.

Vitamin A supplementation comes with risks, including toxicity that can cause alopecia. You won’t become toxic from Vitamin A in the diet, but it’s important to understand the difference between carotenoids and retinols, including how to convert into the bioactive form of Vitamin A.

Despite what you may have heard, cleansing yeast does NOT need to be difficult. And it doesn’t have to take months. Here’s my straightforward protocol for both testing and clearing candida.

Autoimmunity is one disease. When you turn your attention to the root of the imbalance—a hypervigilant, overactive immune system—any and all manifestations of autoimmunity can be addressed.

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroidism) are often thought of as a women’s health issue, but we cannot neglect the fact that many males also suffer from this life-altering condition. In fact, Hashimoto’s is on the rise for men and has been for a number of years.

We’ve all heard the advice that a getting a good night’s sleep is critical for good health. Indeed, it is. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, right? And can we get a good night’s rest even in the face of stress? Yes!

The importance of fiber in the diet is indisputable and has a profound impact on our digestive health and microbiome, our 100 trillion organism-strong “mini ecosystem.” Most Americans are fiber deficient—some experts in the functional medicine community claim that it’s the most clinically important dietary deficiency.

Does quercetin slow thyroid function? Or does it support the thyroid? What about the hair growth claims? And does it work better than Zyrtec?

Take a peek at what a seasoned culinary nutritionist and best selling cookbook author is serving this Christmas Eve.

I’m doing some things differently with my alopecia group coaching program. And if you suffer from hair loss…of any pattern…I hope that you’ll consider taking this new journey with me.

The hormones that are most commonly associated with hair loss are the androgens (DHEA, testosterone, and DHT) and thyroid (hypothyroidism). There are others that are equally important, like cortisol, and another is prolactin, which rarely gets the attention it deserves.

The medical matrix was developed to save you from the horror of being human. If you’re a machine, you can trust the experts to “fix” you and then you don’t have to get into all that “emotional human stuff.” That would be great if it worked.

I’ve traveled this complicated path of undiagnosed autoimmune hypothyroidism and depression that was, perhaps, misdiagnosed. And as I look back over the last 20 years through a different lens, I see that I identify with all of these underlying issues that led to the overly simplistic diagnosis of “depression.”

Low hydrochloric acid is pretty chronic in the alopecia community. It has a far-reaching impact on our overall health—with two specific relationships that are also chronic for many experiencing hair loss.

I’ve been listening hard about COVID-19 in America. But what I am coming to realize is controversial and contradictory. It’s becoming increasingly clear that, however well intentioned, our public health authorities—both on the federal and the state level—are failing us.

I love teaching my Reversing Alopecia course. Here are testimonials from my 2020 participants.

“The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.”—Pema Chodron

Eggs, while a “nutritionally complete food” and breakfast staple, can be a nutritional troublemaker for some. Use your taste preferences and intuition to experiment with these substitutes—and I bet you won’t miss the egg.

Chili has always been a quick go-to one-pot meal and this chili is no exception. I varied it a bit from traditional chili by using organic ground turkey and gave it a rich, deep flavor with the smoked paprika and chipotle chili powder.

How we’ve been misled about the “anti-vaxx” movement and why medical freedom matters…

Continue…to dare to love deeply and risk everything for the good thing…

I’d been gaining for a few months, little by little, and ended up having to buy new jeans. And then much to my astonishment, this happened.

Making quick pickled vegetables is a whole lot easier than you might think, plus it’s a great way to preserve and extend the harvest.

Here are stories of some of the incredible improvements seen by my Reversing Alopecia course participants, many of whom had been previously baffled and scared and whose conventional heathcare providers had said “this is untreatable.”

When I tell people that my favorite pie is gooseberry, they look at me like I have three heads. They either don’t know what gooseberries are or they scrunch their noses and say, “Aren’t those TART?” Yes, they are!

Here are some specific—and often unknown—factors to consider for female pattern baldness (FPB), aka the androgenic hair loss pattern. There’s much more to it than you’ve likely been told.

“Isn’t forgetfulness just my brain being full? Isn’t my brain just tired? Memory loss is normal right? Isn’t it a part of aging?” Functional medicine experts would answer loudly and clearly, “NO!”

It started early. The harm wasn’t intentional. We just didn’t know any better. Here’s my story of reversing my cognitive decline.

Here’s what happened when I cross-referenced the supportive nutrients listed in my Hair Loss ebook and those in a peer-reviewed, international, open access dermatological journal.

Many people have asked me something like, “Okay, I get that you were nearly half bald and you grew your hair back, but have you *kept* your hair?” I’m pleased to say yes.

Pumpkin provides an exceptional source of thyroid- and immune-supportive carotenoids (pre-cursors to Vitamin A) and to make things easy, you can use leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

As we continue our transition into the colder months ahead, we can draw warmth and nourishment from the abundance of autumn foods.

This post is part personal story, part exciting announcement. Dr. Anna was who I called on when I started “crossing over to the other side.” Now we work together as referral partners.

My wonderful Reversing Alopecia Masterclass Series participants asked for a bibliography of my favorite wellness / hormone / autoimmunity books. I was thrilled to put this list together.

If you have diffuse thinning/all over scalp loss, it doesn’t mean you don’t have alopecia.

Here are two whole food popsicle recipes: Watermelon Blueberry Fruit Pops + Cherry Apricot Yogurt Pops. YUM!

This vibrant salad brings all the fresh, crunchy, juicy, and bright flavors you want and all the colorful, disease-fighting antioxidants you need.

We don’t believe in the ill-fated concept of “unexplained infertility.” As Dr. Randine Lewis says, “…‘infertility’ is often a fallacy.”

This crowd-pleasing twist on hummus incorporates fresh basil for delicious flavor. Basil is an great source of antioxidant polyphenols known to reduce inflammation.

This is a fantastic post by our friend and colleague, Andrea Wool. Andrea is a personal trainer and Hashimoto’s warrior and now shares her message of strength and empowerment with women worldwide.

There are many ways to lose weight without deprivation and restriction. But is a ketogenic diet recommended for those with Hashimoto’s?

Whether you’re suffering yourself or you’re a friend or family member of someone with chronic illness, these tips will be helpful in understanding how you can ask for support or be supported.

There’s something for everyone on this list. You’ll find a variety of items at various price points to meet most any budget!

The 5R approach is a straightforward program for healing the gut and promoting optimal digestion and nutrient assimilation, boosting good gut bacteria, and detoxing. And it’s not as difficult as it sounds!

Having a food sensitivity or intolerance doesn’t mean that you can never eat your favorite foods. With just a little know-how, you can whip up most any recipe with delicious and health-giving swaps. Here’s how to do it.

In a recent interview, Lisa and I got taken to task by Dr. John Douillard about gluten and Hashimoto’s. He is the author of Eat Wheat, after all.

Here’s the second installment of feedback and early reader reviews from our wonderful team of Essential Thyroid Cookbook Ambassadors—those who’d received an advance copy of our cookbook.

This is truly one of the only detoxes I’ve ever gotten excited about – it’s a whole body, whole life program.

Many people have asked what happens “behind the scenes” in making a cookbook. Here, I share a bit about how these recipes came to be…my creation and testing process.

Here’s a little bit about how Lilah Rose became my little miracle in hopes that my personal story may offer a glimmer of hope to any of you struggling with similar health issues.

Here’s what you need to know about a full thyroid panel, including a one-click cheat sheet that you can print and use the next time you’re getting your thyroid tested.

Batch cooking (aka meal prepping or cooking in bulk) is a great solution that can help lessen the conundrum of “what’s for dinner?”

Leafy greens are the #1 food we should be eating on a regular basis – as in every day. But they’re undoubtedly the food most missing in our modern diets. So, what gives?

As the Skin Horse says in The Velveteen Rabbit, “…most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.” That’s what I’ve felt like lately. But I’m real.

For those of us looking for a healthier and lighter alternative for the grill, fish is unbeatable and a welcome departure from the familiar. This post includes a guide to making mouthwatering marinades.

Here’s a summary of our process in how we chose ingredients for The Essential Thyroid Cookbook. It will leave no doubt in your mind that Lisa’s recipes provide you with the best nutritional bang for your buck!

Culinary Nutritionist Lisa Markley, MS, RDN, is the co-author of The Essential Thyroid Cookbook. She has also suffered from Hashimoto’s and opens up about her personal journey.

I wasn’t going to write about this recent change in publishing plans for my Essential Thyroid Cookbook (don’t worry, it doesn’t change our pub date!) because I didn’t think people would really care that much. I was wrong.

Most of our clients have asked their prior practitioners, “Why do I still feel so badly when I’m doing everything ‘right?’” To which they often hear, “I dunno, you’re a tough nut to crack.” Here are my theories on why this is so prevalent…

In writing one of the chapters of my upcoming Essential Thyroid Cookbook, I thought, “We may be committing professional suicide here…”

Here’s my “secret weapon” of health advice. It’s the one practice that never fails, is always available, and is shockingly inexpensive (though what you gain by doing it is priceless).

Jill recently wrote about a dangerous trend — how “they” post lab results online and look for answers outside of a professional relationship with a qualified practitioner. Today, I use myself as an example because “they” is me!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, if you’re looking for something uplifting, inspiring, and empowering to give yourself or someone you love (I think we can all use a bit of this right now @*#?%#), look no further.

Dr. Aviva Romm truly brings one of the most unique perspectives to women’s health we’ve seen. And that perspective is powerfully reflected in her new book, The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution.

Here are some things you may have heard about autoimmunity (or hormone health or any other condition) — and what’s actually going on behind the scenes.

‘Tis the season of love and joy — and holiday promotional emails. Here’s our own very special holiday promotion…of a beautiful poem about letting go.

Being in a constant state of want and feeling inadequate creates stress and anxiety, which not only wears us down psychologically, but also lowers immune function.

Diabetes, low thyroid function, adrenal burnout, and extra weight comes with age, the doctors say. Just get used to it. That is Just. Plain. Wrong.

Here are three soothing – and simple – ways to help keep your hormones and immune system in check.

“Why should I invest in working with a health coach when I can find a lot of this information online?” It’s a good question. Why not just use the free ‘School of Google’ to tackle the problem?

I mostly wept my way through writing this update. And I can now say, with confidence, our cookbook is coming – pretty soon.

Avoiding sugar seems straightforward until you realize how foods that aren’t labeled “sugar” can act like sugar in the body. But you don’t have to give up sugar for good.

I’ve chalked this quality in myself up to quirkiness. Or introversion. Realizing that it is a message from my adrenals was a big wake-up call.

Positivity, such as joy, enthusiasm, excitement, serenity, gratitude, inspiration, love, interest, and pride, brings about what Dr. Barbara Fredrickson calls an “upward spiral of lifestyle change.” And lifestyle change is what’s required for managing ANY chronic health condition.

I enjoy pulling the veil back on the coaching process, but I also like writing about it because it reminds me not to always default into “expert + explainer” mode, especially when a client says they want to dive into a pack of Oreos.

As individuals and as a culture, we’ve been told that caving into nutritionally bankrupt food is about lack of willpower, personal weakness, moral failing, and a deep lack of self-respect. NONE of this is true.

Mismanaged blood sugar fuels a shocking number of hormonal complaints that range from big to small. Here’s a partial list of what happens with sugar and your hormones.

What’s an otherwise healthy woman in her early 40s supposed to think when she hasn’t cycled in over year? Is it always “early menopause?” I don’t think so…

I knew this update was coming, I just had to be patient. It’s the story of how my client went from being bald to growing a head of hair via immune modulation.

I’ve had alopecia (autoimmune hair loss), off and on, for nearly 35 years. And alopecia can be late to the party when it comes to healing the immune system.

In the words of the great Jon Stewart, “Bullshit is everywhere.” Especially when it comes to diet and nutrition.

Let’s talk about dairy and why it’s worth it for you to investigate whether it’s doing your body good or harm.

Did you make any New Year Resolutions? Perhaps about exercise or losing weight? Learn from my mistakes to ensure that your tactics won’t be counterproductive to your health.

Conventionally, cholesterol is often discussed in terms of being “high.” But is it possible for cholesterol levels to be too low? The short answer is yes and it has big implications for our hormones.

When people think eggs, they often think cholesterol; then they think heart disease. But cholesterol is a necessary component of every cell in your body. Let’s get to the bottom of it.

Eggs have been referred to as “the perfect food.” But they’re also one of the top triggers for those with food sensitivities. Let’s dig into both sides of the story.

You are what you eat eats. When you take animals out of their natural habitat and feed them food they’re not meant to eat, there are negative consequences for them – and us.

Many of the things that we now need to consider for optimal health are new because our environment has changed. Case in point: the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio.

Yeah, yeah, yeah – Starbucks replaced their synthetic pumpkin syrup with real pumpkin puree. But keep going, Starbucks, because you’re not quite there yet. Here’s a recipe for a healthful alternative.

One of the cornerstones of an anti-inflammatory diet is eating the right fats and using them properly. Here’s a guide on how to use fats and oils for optimal health.

Fat isn’t the bad guy. In fact, incorporating more fat into your diet may help alleviate pain, help you shed weight, keep your hormones balanced, and keep you full and happy.

We spend one third of our lives in bed and most commercial mattresses contain toxic flame retardants. This is a problem. A big problem. And it has implications for your thyroid health.

Are you shocked? Gasping in horror? Like, “How could you? What kind of a nutrition coach are you?”

Our life-changing Restore Your Adrenals teleclass series begins on July 23. You can participate from anywhere, at any time.

Here is our Restore Your Adrenals “chapbook” – 25 considerations and suggestions for helping you feel more calm, grounded, and in control of your life.

Are you a member of the cult of accomplishment? Free yourself. Nothing good ever came out of a cult.

It never crossed my mind that a skin care product sold in the U.S. could be toxic. I then learned that there hasn’t been a federal law passed governing the personal care industry in the U.S. since 1938 – 77 years ago!

Inflammation is a predecessor to many degenerative diseases, including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, autoimmunity (including Hashimoto’s), and diabetes.