Tag Archives: nutrition

Nutrition, Movement, and Mood — Supporting Your Hormones Naturally

Learn how nutrition, movement, and lifestyle changes can naturally balance hormones, boost mood, and restore energy in women through a functional medicine approach.

For many women, mood swings, fatigue, and low motivation in midlife are brushed off as “just getting older.” But your body is sending signals — asking for support. The good news? You can make powerful changes through what you eat, how you move, and how you live.

Hormones are deeply influenced by your daily habits. Estrogen and progesterone depend on liver health, gut balance, and nutrient intake. Cortisol and insulin — your stress and blood sugar hormones — respond directly to sleep, exercise, and diet. When these systems work together, you feel steady, calm, and energetic. When they don’t, you can experience irritability, cravings, bloating, or exhaustion.

Let’s meet Julia. At 46, she was frustrated — her clothes no longer fit, she couldn’t get through the day without caffeine, and she cried without knowing why. Her labs showed estrogen dominance and low progesterone, along with mild insulin resistance. Instead of turning to medication right away, Julia began working with a functional medicine nurse who helped her implement small changes — daily walks, swapping processed snacks for whole foods, and adding cruciferous vegetables to support estrogen detoxification. Within a few months, her energy improved, and her moods leveled out.

Here’s what you can start doing today:

  • Prioritize protein and fiber. They stabilize blood sugar and support hormone metabolism.

  • Eat colorful produce. Phytonutrients from plants support detoxification and reduce inflammation.

  • Move consistently. You don’t need hours at the gym — just 20–30 minutes of walking, yoga, or light strength training can improve insulin sensitivity and mood.

  • Support your gut. A healthy gut microbiome helps regulate estrogen levels and immune balance.

Functional medicine emphasizes small, sustainable steps that lead to big improvements. Nourishing your body through mindful eating, movement, and rest can help restore balance to your hormones and reclaim your vitality.

Call to Action:
If you’re ready to restore your energy and balance your mood naturally, let’s work together.

Rosie Moore, DNP, LNC, RN, BC-FMP
Doctorate of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
407-760-1662
https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

Together, we can design a nutrition and lifestyle plan that honors your body’s changing needs and helps you thrive.

Understanding Age-Related Muscle Loss and How to Combat It

As we age, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass and strength, a process known as sarcopenia. This decline can affect balance, mobility, and overall health, increasing the risk of falls and impacting daily activities. For patients and healthcare professionals alike, understanding the causes and strategies to combat muscle loss is essential for maintaining independence and quality of life. Muscle loss often starts as early as age 30, and while it can’t be completely reversed, there are things we can do to slow it down, maintain strength, and stay active.

Several factors contribute to muscle loss. Aging itself reduces muscle mass, but lifestyle habits like low physical activity or not getting enough protein can make it worse. Hormonal changes, such as lower testosterone or growth hormone, also play a role. Chronic inflammation or conditions like diabetes, cancer, or kidney disease can further impact muscle health. Even the nerves that signal our muscles can decline over time, making strength and coordination harder to maintain.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in preserving muscle health. Adequate protein intake, combined with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, supports muscle maintenance and repair. Foods like lean meats, fish, dairy, legumes, and eggs can help provide the building blocks your muscles need to stay strong. Ensuring balanced nutrition alongside sufficient hydration further supports overall physical resilience.

Physical activity is equally crucial. Resistance and strength training exercises stimulate muscle growth and improve functional fitness. Simple, consistent activities — like bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or light weightlifting — can make a significant difference over time. For older adults or those recovering from injury, guided exercise programs ensure safety while optimizing results.

Lifestyle factors, including adequate sleep and stress management, also impact muscle preservation. Chronic stress and poor sleep can increase inflammation and interfere with muscle repair. Mindful practices, relaxation techniques, and prioritizing rest help create an environment where muscles can recover and thrive.

Patient Perspective:
Maintaining muscle as you age is not just about aesthetics; it directly affects independence and confidence. Incorporating small, sustainable changes in activity, nutrition, and daily habits can slow muscle loss and improve energy, balance, and overall quality of life. Tracking progress and celebrating improvements reinforces motivation and a sense of control.

Nursing Perspective:
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients about the importance of muscle health. By guiding safe exercise routines, providing nutrition counseling, and monitoring functional status, nurses help patients maintain strength and mobility while preventing injury. Empowering patients with practical strategies encourages adherence and long-term success.

💡 Tip to Try This Week:
Choose one activity that challenges your muscles safely, such as a 10-minute resistance band routine, bodyweight squats, or a short walk with light hand weights. Pair it with a protein-rich snack afterward to support muscle repair. Consistency, even in small doses, is key to preserving strength and functional independence as you age.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

Hormones, Healing, and Hidden Imbalances

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Many women expect some pain and discomfort after an injury—whether from a car accident, a fall, or even an emotionally traumatic event. But what most don’t expect is how long that pain and fatigue can linger. It’s frustrating when you’re doing “everything right”—attending physical therapy, following up with doctors, taking medications as prescribed—yet you still feel exhausted, moody, and unlike yourself.

You may find yourself thinking:

  • “Why am I so tired all the time?”
  • “Why do I feel depressed or anxious when I never used to?”
  • “Why can’t I sleep through the night anymore?”
  • “Why does my weight keep creeping up, even though I haven’t changed my diet?”

These questions are valid. And you’re not imagining things.

The truth is, injury recovery is about more than healing bones, muscles, or tissues. There is often a hidden layer of disruption that traditional medicine doesn’t always address: hormonal imbalance.

How Injuries Trigger Hormonal Disruption

When you experience trauma—whether physical or emotional—your body activates its internal alarm system, also known as the stress response. This process, regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, signals your adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other stress hormones.

Initially, this is a helpful and protective mechanism. But when stress becomes chronic—such as when you’re in ongoing pain, dealing with disrupted sleep, or experiencing financial or emotional stress after an injury—it can throw your hormonal system completely out of balance.

Over time, this can lead to:

  • Adrenal fatigue (feeling wired but tired, or just completely drained)
  • Thyroid dysfunction (which affects metabolism, energy, and mood)
  • Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone (leading to mood swings, irregular periods, or worsened PMS)
  • Blood sugar instability
  • Slowed tissue repair and inflammation that won’t resolve

Unfortunately, many of these issues don’t show up clearly on standard labs. You may be told that everything is “normal,” but you still don’t feel right. That’s where functional medicine can offer real answers.

Why Women Are Especially Affected

Women’s hormonal systems are incredibly intricate and sensitive to stress. After an injury, even subtle changes in sleep, inflammation, or nutrient depletion can create a cascade effect—disrupting everything from your monthly cycle to your ability to think clearly and manage your emotions.

If you’re also a caregiver, a professional, or simply trying to get back to your routine, the pressure to “push through” can further delay recovery. Many women feel guilty for slowing down or seeking help—so they suffer in silence while their bodies quietly burn out.

The good news? You don’t have to.

Functional Support for Hormone Health and Recovery

At JRM Nurse Consultants, we take a different approach. We start by listening to your story—how the injury happened, what you’ve experienced since, and how your symptoms are impacting your life. Then, using advanced functional lab testing and clinical assessments, we help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

We explore key areas like:

  • Adrenal function and cortisol patterns
  • Thyroid health (not just TSH, but full thyroid panels)
  • Female hormone balance
  • Inflammatory markers
  • Nutrient levels and gut health
  • Sleep and nervous system recovery

You’ll receive a personalized recovery roadmap that doesn’t just treat symptoms—it restores balance.

It’s Time to Feel Like Yourself Again

If you’re tired of being told “everything looks fine” when you know something is off, trust your instincts. Your symptoms are messages. And healing is possible—especially when we address the root causes and support the body’s natural ability to rebalance.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00

Once you are ready for the next step after the initial consult, it will allow us to review your health history, current concerns, and determine the best path forward for healing. This is not just another appointment—it’s a starting point for real answers and individualized care.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Contact:
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Fax: 727-279-2103
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com