Medically reviewed by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND Berberine gets called “nature’s Ozempic” and “natural metformin” often enough that it’s worth asking what the actual head-to-head research shows, rather than the marketing. The short answer: the two compounds work through… Read More »Berberine vs. Metformin for Insulin Resistance: A Head-to-Head Look at the Research
Medically reviewed by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND Creatine spent decades branded as a bodybuilding supplement, which is part of why so few women have used it and why the research on women specifically lagged behind. That’s changed. Here’s what… Read More »Creatine Monohydrate for Women: Beyond the Gym
Medically reviewed by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND Patients often ask me whether the DUTCH test is “better” than standard bloodwork for assessing hormones. The honest answer is that they’re validated for different things, and neither one replaces the other… Read More »DUTCH Test vs. Standard Blood Hormone Panels: What Each Can and Can’t Tell You
The Metabolic Consequences of Ferritin Excess and Deficiency, and Clinical Strategies for Optimizing Iron Status Introduction Perimenopause is increasingly recognized as a period of profound metabolic change, including, but extending well beyond, reproductive hormone fluctuations. While shifts in estrogen and… Read More »Iron Dysregulation in Perimenopause
The Problem with “Instant” Health Advice Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Claude can generate health advice in seconds. The answers are polished, confident, and often sound convincing. AI Generates Information. Licensed Clinicians Deliver Medical Care. But confidence is not… Read More »Why You Shouldn’t Take Health Advice from AI, and Why Seeing a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario Matters
Peptide supplements have exploded in popularity in recent years. Influencers, biohackers, and supplement companies claim these products can boost muscle growth, accelerate healing, reverse aging, and improve metabolism. But when you look past the marketing, an important question emerges: Are… Read More »Peptide Supplements: Are They Worth the Hype?
Hormone testing can provide valuable insight into menstrual cycles, fertility, mood, energy, skin health, and long-term hormonal balance that can impact bone density and cardiovascular health. However, many patients receive lab results for hormone blood tests with very little explanation… Read More »Are Your Hormone Blood Tests Really Normal? What Your Tests Actually Mean
A Former Medical Lab Tech’s Guide to Understanding and Optimizing Thyroid Blood Tests If you’ve ever looked at your thyroid blood test results and thought, “It says normal, but I don’t feel normal,” you’re not alone. Before becoming a naturopathic… Read More »Thyroid Blood Tests: How to Read Your Results
Your first visit is designed to be thorough, thoughtful, and personalized. Below is a step-by-step overview to clarify what to expect before, during, and after your first appointment with Naturopathic Doctor Pamela Frank. What to Expect: Before Your First Visit… Read More »What to Expect at Your First Naturopathic Appointment
Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a driver of metabolic, hormonal, immune, and degenerative disease. While inflammation is often discussed in terms of immune cells and cytokines, a less visible, but critically important player sits at the center of this… Read More »The Link Between Mitochondria Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation
Are you tired of struggling with hormonal imbalances, fertility issues, or general health concerns? This article reveals the five most effective naturopathic treatments for women’s health, offering practical solutions to enhance your well-being. Recent studies show that 40% of women… Read More »Best 5 Naturopathic Treatments for Women’s Health (2025)
Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can be an emotional rollercoaster. Between unpredictable symptoms, confusing lab results, and constant lifestyle adjustments, it’s no wonder many women feel like they’re fighting their own bodies. One month, you might feel on top… Read More »Building Resilience with PCOS: Mindset, Systems, and Self-Knowledge
If you’ve ever compared your experience with PCOS to someone else’s, you’ve probably noticed just how different it can look from person to person. Some women struggle with irregular periods, others with acne or hair loss. Some gain weight easily;… Read More »Individualized Medicine and PCOS: What We Can Say
When we think about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), most people picture irregular periods, extra androgens (male hormones), or trouble with fertility. However, research over the past decade reveals another piece of the puzzle: PCOS and inflammation are closely linked. What do we… Read More »PCOS and Inflammation: What the Research is Telling Us
Cortisol Confusion We often hear that stress and anxiety are caused by too much cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. While that’s true in some cases, the story is much more complex. Cortisol isn’t the villain it’s often made out… Read More »Stress, Adrenal Fatigue, and Anxiety: Is Cortisol Really the Problem?
PCOS Ovulation Naturally: Quick summary Why lifestyle and nutrition matter in PCOS-related anovulation PCOS is heterogeneous, but a common pathway to irregular or absent ovulation is metabolic – insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, and low-grade inflammation contribute to ovarian androgen excess… Read More »PCOS Ovulation Naturally and Trying to Conceive
For too long, women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) have been met with dismissive comments, confusing medical advice, and outright gaslighting. Despite being one of the most common hormonal disorders, affecting up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age,… Read More »Get Answers About PCOS: Ending the Gaslighting
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is often thought of as a reproductive or fertility condition, but the effects reach far beyond irregular periods and difficulty conceiving. PCOS is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that can increase the risk of several… Read More »PCOS and Chronic Disease Risk: What You Need to Know
When it comes to diagnosing and managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there’s no shortage of opinions and no shortage of lab testing for PCOS you could do. But more testing isn’t always better. Some commonly ordered labs offer little value… Read More »Evidence-Informed Lab Testing for PCOS: What’s Useful, What’s Not
Suppose you’ve been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or suspect you might have it. In that case, period tracking is one of the most important things you can do to understand your hormones, fertility, and overall health. But PCOS… Read More »Period Tracking with PCOS: Why It Matters and How to Start