Blog - Dr. Alexandra MacKillop

Estrogen Deficiency In Young women: It’s More Than Just Menopause

Estrogen is a key hormone in women’s health, playing a critical role in the regulation of reproductive health, mood, metabolism, and bone density. While estrogen deficiency is commonly associated with menopause, it can also develop in pre-menopausal women. Estrogen levels may decline prematurely or become imbalanced due to various factors,…
What Is the Safest Material for Mattresses? (Foam, Polyurethane and Latex, Explained)

Have you ever heard of formaldehyde? For many of us, that word brings to mind images of preserved critters and crawling things in a science teacher’s office, or the embalming fluide used for medical study of cadavers. I myself was exposed to high levels of formaldehyde while pursuing my doctorate…
Keto and Hypothyroidism: A Treatment You Might Have Missed

The Ketogenic (“Keto”) Diet has grown in popularity significantly over the past several years. While low-carbohydrate diets have been around for a long time, The Keto Diet is something a little different. In addition to involving a different dietary strategy, The Keto Diet is also unique in that it is…
Dental Probiotics: How Good Bacteria Can Transform Your Oral Health

I got my first cavity when I was seventeen years old, and let me tell you—I was devastated. I was adamant about brushing my teeth twice a day, and flossing as well. I limited sweets and was an overall healthy person. What I didn’t find out until over a decade…
Understanding and Reversing PCOS Hair Loss

Among the many shared health conditions between men and women, hair loss is one with few resources available for treatment. Like any symptoms, hair loss can be caused by many reasons, ranging from nutritional imbalances to autoimmunity, and everything in between. For women in particular, one of the biggest reasons…
What Are Functional Medicine Tests and How Can They Help Your Health?

Have you ever felt dismissed by your doctor? One of the most common stories I hear from my patients when they come to me for functional medicine treatment is that they primary care doctor told them they were “fine.” In some cases, their doctors even ran a blood panel, reviewed…
The Truth About “Natural Flavors”

Prior to becoming a functional medicine doctor, I started my career in the field of food science. Frankly, I loved it, but much of what I learned and saw there ultimately led me to exit the field and transition to working in natural health. How can both of those things…
Psoriasis vs Eczema: Diagnosis and Treatment Through Functional Medicine

There’s nothing like scratching an itch. But when it comes to eczema and even psoriasis, it’s a gift that keeps on giving. In many cases, you scratch it and then it just continues to itch even more until the scratching becomes wounds and those wounds struggle to heal, becoming even…