Terrain Blog
Written by Our Team of Naturopathic Doctors
Why Potassium Might Be the Missing Link in Your Thyroid Health
Many people associate thyroid health with iodine and selenium, but potassium is a vital — and often overlooked — mineral in supporting healthy thyroid function. In this post, we explore the connection between potassium and hypothyroidism, signs of deficiency, how it affects hormone utilization, and the best ways to naturally support your mineral levels for optimal energy, metabolism, and well-being.
How to Choose a Natural Sunscreen for Safer Sun Protection
Not all sunscreens are created equal! While protecting your skin from UV damage is essential, many sunscreens contain hidden chemicals that can harm your health and the environment. From hormone-disrupting ingredients to reef-damaging toxins, it’s time to rethink what you’re putting on your skin. Discover how to choose a safer, more natural sunscreen that truly has you covered.
All About Thyroid Testing
Many patients come to us frustrated, having been told their thyroid is “normal” despite ongoing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. But too often, standard tests miss key markers needed for a full picture of thyroid health. In this article, we dive into what a complete thyroid panel should include, the optimal ranges to look for, and how tracking basal body temperature can provide even more insight.
Is Levothyroxine Right for Everyone with Hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism, but it may not work for everyone. Since thyroid function involves multiple organs and processes, addressing imbalances requires more than just hormone replacement. A holistic approach—including diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation—can help optimize thyroid health. If you’re still experiencing symptoms, it may be time to explore alternative solutions.
Should I Go Gluten-Free?
Going gluten-free is essential for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, but it’s not a guaranteed path to better health or weight loss. Whole grains provide key nutrients like fiber, B vitamins, and folate, which many gluten-free products lack. Unnecessary restriction can lead to deficiencies and isn’t always sustainable. In this article, Dr. Kelcie Rosendahl explores when a gluten-free diet is truly beneficial—and when a more balanced approach may be the better choice.
Winter in Chinese Medicine
Winter is a time for rest, reflection, and renewal. In harmony with the Water element, it invites us to slow down, conserve energy, and nourish our inner world. By aligning with winter’s natural rhythm, we can prevent imbalances and strengthen our vitality. Learn how to embrace warmth, support your kidneys, and allow yourself to flow with the season’s quiet wisdom.
5 Tips to Thrive in Winter
Winter is just around the corner and if it’s your favorite season, that is so wonderful! If you struggle more during the darker, colder months, we get it. More time inside and shorter days can affect mental health, sleep and energy levels. We have some tips below that can help keep your circadian rhythm optimal and your body connected to the reality of winter in a way that will hopefully keep you feeling balanced and thriving through this season.
Top Tips to Reduce Bloating During Your Menstrual Period
Approximately 70% of women suffer from increased bloating around their menstrual period. Bloating and other PMS symptoms are caused by fluctuations in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Women who have inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to experience increased cyclical gastrointestinal symptoms. While it can be difficult to completely resolve increased bloating, gas and constipation around your menses, you can decrease symptom severity and feel more comfortable during your monthly cycle. Dietary choices, exercise and natural supplementation can be effective in decreasing period bloating woes.
The Estrogen-Hashimoto’s Connection
Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and is an extremely prevalent autoimmune disease that is said to affect 1-2% of the population. The job of the thyroid is to regulate the metabolism and body temperature, which ultimately is important for every cell and organ of the body. Because of that, symptoms of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease can show in my many different systems.
Alcohol & Anxiety
It’s normal to go through temporary periods of increased anxiety during the various chapters of life. A new job, familial challenges or world events can lead us to feel more anxious.
Unfortunately, many people feel anxiety for prolonged periods of time or at a high level of intensity. Frequent and/or severe anxiety is not normal and can have a drastic impact on the quality of one’s life. Many people turn to alcohol in an attempt to decrease their anxiety and its use is closely linked to mental health disorders. Alcohol initially causes us to feel relaxed and at ease but frequent use can actually cause anxiety to worsen and be detrimental to mental health and well-being.
How to Optimize Digestion
As a naturopathic physician I discuss digestion with most, if not all, of my patients. I’d say most of my patients complain of bloating, gas, belching, constipation and/or reflux following meals. Although these symptoms are extremely common, they are not normal. Sub-optimal digestion can be caused by a variety of factors including food sensitivities, low stomach acid and increased stress. Learn about our top tips in the blog.
Fall in Chinese Medicine - Nourish Qi & Maintain Vitality
Fall is frequently associated with themes of transition, transformation, release, loss, death and the grief that often accompanies it all.
Fall shows us we are not unlike trees. In order to conserve, preserve and store what will nourish us through Winter, and not just ensure our growth, but also our vitality come Spring, we must first shed that which no longer serves us.
Holistic Back to School Tips
Starting a new school year can be both exciting and challenging for students and parents alike. A holistic approach to back-to-school preparation ensures not only academic success but also the well-being of your child as a whole.
Ashwagandha: An Adapotgenic Herb with Many Uses
Ashwagandha, also known by its botanical name withania somnifera, is a type of medicinal plant. It is classified as an “adaptogen”, or a substance that encourage the body’s physiology to return to a normal state after a stressor has been encountered. Adaptogens help to decrease stress levels through various, non-specific effects within the body.
All About Flower Essences
Flower Essences We LOVE flower essences at Terrain Natural Medicine! They are such a gentle and potent support for the emotional and mental elements of healing. Considered an energetic therapy, similar to homeopathy, they are able to harmonize the nervous system to allow for physical healing to occur as well.
5 Easy Ways to Balance Your Blood Sugar
Balanced blood sugar is a key foundation for health. Balanced blood sugar encourages healthy energy levels and a stable mood. Long term blood sugar balance helps to prevent the development of certain conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and vision loss. Stable blood sugar levels are also vital for optimal hormone health.
Homeoprophylaxis - using homeopathy to educate the immune system
Many parents are looking for an alternative way of supporting their children’s immune systems to be better prepared for encountering viruses and bacteria out in the world. In this country, the only option widely available has really been traditional vaccines. Much of the rest of the world also acknowledges another option called homeoprophylaxis (HP).
Daily Practices to Support Healthy Testosterone Levels in Men
Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, prioritizing sleep and avoiding harmful chemicals are potent daily practices that support optimal testosterone levels in men. It can be challenging in today’s modern world to move your body daily, eat well and get enough sleep but these lifestyle basics are the building blocks of healthy hormones. It’s helpful to choose one of these areas to focus on at first, make a plan and then implement!
How to Develop a Solid Health Foundation
We all have an internal terrain in our bodies. You can think of bodily terrain as being similar to the soil in your garden. A healthy terrain is vital to resilient health, just like the health of your garden soil is to the quality of the vegetables you hope to harvest. Cultivating a healthy terrain through health foundations such as whole-foods nutrition, quality sleep, regular exercise and stress management can make you less susceptible to severe infections and the development of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Read on below for some of our top recommendations for developing a solid health foundation.
Optimize Your Gut Health for Improved Mood
The popular saying, “I have a gut feeling” may be more accurate than you think. It is estimated that almost 95% of our body’s serotonin is produced by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin is one of our “happy hormones” and is greatly influenced by the gut microbiome. Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiome can influence neural development, brain chemistry, emotional behavior, pain perception and our stress response! Read more for tips on how to optimize your gut health and improve your mood.