Metabolic Health
MTHFR in Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Athletic Performance
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a gene involved in folate metabolism and methylation, a set of reactions that support DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, neurotransmitter balance, and amino acid metabolism.
Type 2 Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes, and it is rarely "just a plumbing problem." Diabetes impacts erections through reduced nitric oxide signaling and endothelial function, accelerated atherosclerosis, and diabetic neuropathy, often years before someone develops obvious cardiovascular symptoms.
Labs to Check for Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is only as good as the monitoring behind it. Symptoms matter, but labs are what let us confirm dose adequacy, reduce side effects, and identify cardiometabolic risk factors that often coexist with low testosterone.
Saunas and Your Health: How Heat Therapy Supports Heart, Brain, and Recovery
A sauna is a small heated room, usually kept between 150 and 195°F, where you sit and let your body warm up. In a dry Finnish sauna, the air is hot and low in humidity. Your skin temperature rises, blood vessels open, and you begin to sweat.
Heart Rate Variability: What It Reveals About Your Health
Heart rate variability (HRV) is the measure of time variation between successive heartbeats, regulated by the autonomic nervous system. A high HRV indicates a healthy, responsive system capable of adapting to stress and recovery, while low HRV reflects physiologic strain or diminished resilience. Unlike resting heart rate, which provides a simple snapshot of cardiac workload, HRV gives insight into the balance between sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") activity.
Myo-Inositol: A Natural Molecule for Metabolic Health and Hormone Balance
Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring nutrient that acts as a key intracellular signaling molecule involved in hormone regulation, metabolism, and neurological health. While it is synthesized in small amounts by the human body, individuals with insulin resistance or metabolic dysfunction often have increased requirements. Myo-inositol is abundant in the brain, liver, ovaries, and skeletal muscle and is also available through dietary sources such as fruits, beans, and grains. Unlike traditional medications, it supports cellular communication and hormone sensitivity at the receptor level without overstimulation.
How Blood Sugar Damages Tendons: The Hidden Role of AGEs
Tendons are resilient structures, built to transmit force from muscle to bone. But like other tissues in the body, they are vulnerable to the damaging effects of elevated blood sugar. One of the most important biochemical contributors to tendon degeneration in metabolic disease is the formation of advanced glycation end products, or AGEs.
Lifting Weights vs Cardio for Weight Loss: Why Resistance Training Wins
When it comes to weight loss, most people immediately turn to cardio workouts like running, biking, or swimming. While cardiovascular exercise has clear health benefits, it may not be the most effective strategy for long-term fat loss. Increasingly, research supports resistance training as the superior method for losing fat while preserving or even gaining muscle mass.
Optimizing Vitamin D for Health and Wellness
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone essential to the health and function of nearly every system in the body. While it’s best known for regulating calcium and maintaining bone density, vitamin D also plays a direct role in muscle strength, pelvic floor function, immune response, metabolic health, and hormonal balance. Despite Arizona’s abundant sunshine, vitamin D deficiency remains common, often due to indoor lifestyles, consistent sunscreen use, higher melanin levels, and age-related changes in synthesis and metabolism. At the Performance Medicine Institute, we routinely evaluate and optimize vitamin D levels as part of our comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal and metabolic care.
Maximizing Weight Loss and Muscle Health While Using GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) have changed the treatment landscape for people struggling with obesity and metabolic disease. These medications mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. When you eat, your body naturally releases GLP-1 to slow down how fast your stomach empties, promote insulin release, and reduce feelings of hunger. These drugs extend the effects of GLP-1, making it easier to feel full with less food, control cravings, and reduce overall calorie intake.