Jessica Larsen, Author at Northwest Health Specialities

Could Your Irregular Periods, Acne, or Energy Crashes Be PMOS (previously called PCOS)?

June 17, 2026 by Jessica Larsen

Irregular cycles, stubborn acne, unwanted facial or body hair, blood sugar swings, fatigue, and difficulty conceiving are often treated as separate issues. For many people, these symptoms may be connected through Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS — a common but frequently misunderstood hormonal and metabolic condition. PMOS is not simply a “cyst problem.” The previous name, polycystic …

Perimenopause Weight Gain: Why It Happens and What Actually Helps

June 10, 2026 by Jessica Larsen

If your body feels like it has changed almost overnight, you are not imagining it. Many women enter their late 30s, 40s, or early 50s and start noticing changes that feel frustrating and confusing: weight gain around the midsection, disrupted sleep, heavier or irregular periods, mood changes, brain fog, lower energy, stronger cravings, or a …

Use Food as Medicine: What Actually Works for Blood Sugar, Gut Health, & Hormones

May 23, 2026 by Jessica Larsen

“Food is medicine” is everywhere right now. But what does that actually mean in a clinical setting, and what actually works? At its core, food as medicine means using nutrition to directly influence physiology: blood sugar, inflammation, gut function, and hormones. When done right, these changes show up not just in how you feel, but …

The Hidden Health Risks of Artificial Sweeteners

July 13, 2026March 31, 2026 by Jessica Larsen

Artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame-K are widely used as calorie-free sugar substitutes. While they can reduce sugar intake, emerging research suggests they may also influence metabolism, gut bacteria, cardiovascular risk, and long-term disease outcomes. Current research suggests Occasional use may be reasonable, but frequent consumption may not be metabolically neutral. Below is a …

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