Did You Know : B12 Edition

If you don’t know your vitamin B12 levels, read this👇

B12 is essential for the brain and nervous system, but some people most at risk of low levels include:

✔️ Older adults

✔️ Those with gut issues or low stomach acid

✔️ People on acid blockers or metformin

✔️ Vegans & vegetarians

New research studied 231 healthy older adults with B12 levels well within the “normal” range. But despite that, they found:

▪️ Lower B12 (even within normal range) → linked to slower cognitive processing & brain changes

▪️ Higher levels of an ✨inactive form of B12✨ → linked to increased tau protein, a marker of neurodegeneration

This means standard B12 tests may be missing critical markers of brain health.

So, what can you do?

✅ Talk to your practitioner about checking MMA and homocysteine along with serum B12.

✅ Supplement with bioavailable B12 (methylcobalamin + adenosylcobalamin).

✅ Don’t wait for symptoms—B12 imbalances can be silent for years.

Was this new information for you?

If you want a truly preventive and proactive approach to your health, we’d love to help.

#drelizabethcantrell #naturalmedicine #naturopath #naturopathic #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathicphysician #functionalmedicine #functionalmedicinetesting #colga #columbusga #ftmoore #ftbenning #auburnal #opelikaal #phenixcityal #b12 #vitaminb12 #nutrientlevels

You Can’t Control Everything...

…But you can control your next step.

Becoming more stress resilient starts with knowing where to focus your energy:

On the things you can control.

Share this with a friend who can relate 💖

You Can't Control Everything...

Stress often comes from trying to control the uncontrollable.

So, next time stress creeps in, try this:

1️⃣ Notice you feel stressed.

Just pause and recognize what’s going on.

2️⃣ Ask: Is this inside or outside my control?

If it’s outside your control, try to let it go, but still move on to step 3.

3️⃣ Make a plan.

Choose a few things you CAN do (even if the actual stressor is outside your control).

✔ Can you go for a walk?

✔ Can you listen to music?

✔ Can you make a phone call?

✔ Can you research a solution?

Training your brain to respond to stress in a healthier way takes some practice, but it’s worth it.

Share this with a friend who can relate 💖

Myths You May Have Heard About Stress

Myths & Facts about Stress 👇

📍Myth 1: You just have to shift your mindset.

Stress is not just in your head—it’s in your body and nervous system. While mindset shifts can help, they will only stick if your body feels safe. Stress resilience comes with nourishing foods, breathwork, movement, and deep rest.

📍Myth 2: Intense exercise helps burn off stress.

Movement is amazing for releasing stress—just don’t overdo it. Intense workouts can worsen exhaustion from stress, especially if you’re already running on empty.

📍Myth 3: Coffee helps you power through stress.

Not everyone handles caffeine the same way. Too much can overstimulate your stress response and lead to burnout. If you’re relying on coffee to push through exhaustion, your body may be asking for real rest instead.

📍Myth 4: If you’re not anxious, you’re not stressed.

Stress can show up in all kinds of sneaky ways: things like low energy, brain fog, trouble concentrating, headaches, or digestive upset. Your mind is not necessarily the first place you’ll feel it.

📍Myth 5: Stress is always bad.

Stress is never fun, but it can be a driving force for personal growth and a motivation to take action on things you may otherwise ignore. Stressing that stress is bad will only make it worse.

🤔 Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month?

Watch my posts for more on ways functional medicine can address stress.

And let me know in the comments:

Which of these myths have you been sucked into? ⤵️

#drelizabethcantrell #naturalmedicine #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #functionalmedicine #functionalmedicinetesting #stressresilience #stresssupport #stressrelief #colga #columbusga

“Is This a Good Supplement?”

“Is this a good supplement?”

If I could have a dollar for every time I’ve heard that one…💸

Seriously, so many people come to me with a bag of supplements they’ve accumulated because their best friend, aunt, or favorite podcast host recommended them. 🙃

Most are a waste of money.

This post isn’t to sell you supplements or to recommend anything specific. (We reserve that service for our clients.)

What this post IS for is to educate you on supplement quality and what to look for on labels.

1️⃣Look for third-party certifications.

Check for labels like NSF Certified or USP Verified, which ensure the product has been tested for purity and potency. These certifications mean what’s on the label is actually in the bottle—something you cannot always count on with all supplements!

2️⃣ Choose bioavailable forms.

Every vitamin and mineral has specific forms listed on the label. The better forms are easier for your body to absorb and use.

✨For vitamin B12, look for methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin).

✨For folate, look for methylfolate (rather than the synthetic folic acid).

✨Chelated minerals (like magnesium glycinate) are typically better absorbed than mineral salts.

3️⃣ Avoid fillers, dyes, and additives.

The shorter the list of “other ingredients” the better.

But most important?

Just because a supplement helped your friend or neighbor does not mean it will help you.

Your nutrient needs are unique to you.

👉🏽 We can help you figure out what your body truly needs and create a tailored plan that delivers the most benefits with the fewest pills.

Schedule an initial visit with Dr. Cantrell to get started with your personalized healthcare protocol! 🔗

#elementnatmed #supplements #naturalmedicine #functionalmedicine #plantbasedsupplements #customhealthcare #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine