Author: Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

Mental Health Awareness Month: Simple Steps to Support Yourself & Others

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to reduce stigma, spark open conversations, and take practical steps for mental and emotional well-being. Mental health matters just as much as physical health because they affect one another! This mind-body relationship can feel like a catch-22 when you’re not feeling well, but research shows that small, consistent actions can improve mood, lower stress, and build resilience.

Let’s talk about what we can do for ourselves and others to boost mental health using both physical and mental strategies. Continue reading →

Natural Support for Mono and EBV Reactivation: Strategies, Symptoms, and Prevention

Natural Support for Mono and EBV Reactivation: Strategies, Symptoms, and Prevention

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

With more people talking about Epstein-Barr virus reactivation and mono lately, it is easy to feel concerned. The good news is that EBV is extremely common, most people live with it for life without major problems, and there are practical, natural ways to support your immune system, reduce the chance of symptomatic reactivation, and feel your best.

This guide explains EBV in simple terms, covers how it spreads, what to do if symptoms appear, and how a whole-foods, high-protein, lower-carb, no-sugar lifestyle plus targeted supplements can help you feel your best for years to come! Let’s dive in… Continue reading →

Gut Spring Cleaning: Natural Ways to Refresh Your Digestive System

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

For many of us, Spring inspires a fresh start for our homes and gardens, but what about our guts? When the heavy winter meals and more… indoorsy movement patterns got you pooped, a seasonal gut reset might be just the thing to promote better nutrient absorption, regular bowel movements, and overall vitality. 

This guide to spring cleaning for the gut focuses on supporting digestive movement, internal healing, and gut microbiome (trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract that influence digestion, immunity, hormones, and mood). By combining whole-food strategies and behaviors with evidence-based support, you can gently encourage balance without extreme measures!

Continue reading →

Natural Spring Allergy Relief: The Gut-Nose Axis | Allergy Supplements & Support

Natural Spring Allergy Relief: The Gut-Nose Axis

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

Natural Spring Allergy Relief: The Gut-Nose Axis

Ah, Spring. The most audacious season, when flowers burst open like they have been waiting all winter to party, trees litter the earth with dusty bits, birds start their morning concerts, and your immune system uses your face to yeet out every speck of pollen in the air via sneezing. If you’re already stocking up on tissues and wondering why your eyes feel like they joined a pepper-spraying contest, you are not alone. Allergy season is upon us! Continue reading →

Daylight Savings Time and Sleep | Sleep Supplements

Daylight Savings Time and Sleep

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

Unless you live in Arizona or Hawaii, you may be wondering, “how does daylight savings time affect sleep patterns?” This question is especially relevant when we spring forward and lose an hour of sleep! It doesn’t sound like much, but there’s more to the story. This annual clock change disrupts our natural body clock and can leave us feeling tired and unrefreshed, and that’s not all. Medical research shows these shifts have real health impacts, including surprising statistics from peer-reviewed studies. Continue reading →

Don’t Just Lose Weight, Gain Health: Understanding How to Have Healthy Body Composition | Vitamin & Supplement Store

Don’t Just Lose Weight, Gain Health: Understanding How to Have Healthy Body Composition

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

Body composition is the relative proportions of fat mass, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density, and other tissues. It matters far more for long-term health, metabolic function, physical performance, and longevity than simply being “skinny” or achieving a low BMI. BMI (body mass index) is a crude height-to-weight ratio that often misclassifies people: it can label muscular athletes as “overweight” or, more dangerously, miss “normal-weight obesity” where someone has a healthy BMI but high body fat (especially visceral) and low muscle. Continue reading →

February American Heart Month: Boost Heart Health with Simple Steps & Smart Supplements

February American Heart Month: Boost Heart Health with Simple Steps & Smart Supplements

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

February usually brings heart-shaped love notes into our thoughts, so it’s aptly named American Heart Month! What better a time to focus on lifestyle habits and supplements that support your cardiovascular system?

Heart disease is a top health concern, but you can take control with everyday choices like nutrition, exercise, and sleep, and extra heart health support from Mountain Peak Nutritionals products like HTN Support, Nitric Oxide, Cardio Health, Cholesterol Support, and Longevity. Continue reading →

Glaucoma Awareness Month in January

Glaucoma Awareness Month in January

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

It’s time to don your green ribbons because January is Glaucoma Awareness Month! By reading this article, you will be better equipped to educate and empower yourself and your community about protecting one of our favorite senses, eyesight!

So, what is glaucoma? Glaucoma is an increased pressure inside the eye and is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and it often develops without early warning signs. While medical diagnosis and treatment are essential, many health-conscious folks are also looking for natural ways to support eye health and maintain healthy eye pressure. Continue reading →

Dry January: A 30-Day Alcohol Break to Support Overall Wellness

Dry January: A 30-Day Alcohol Break to Support Overall Wellness

Posted on | by Dr. Rachael O’Connell, ND

Happy New Year! Let’s have a toast, perhaps with a non-alcoholic beverage for a change! Many Americans enjoy imbibing in fermented beverages that get us a little tipsy, and often to excess in December as we celebrate the end of the year, which is why many people do the Dry January challenge.

So, what is Dry January? It’s where we don’t touch a drop of alcohol for a full month. Since we’re already into January, this challenge can be done for any 30 day period. Real lasting change takes more than a month, but using this as a kickstart can help as you work on overall behavior change to become healthier. Continue reading →