Holistic Health Advocate

You’re struggling with extreme fatigue, constant foods cravings, or having difficulty losing weight.

Dealing with hormonal imbalance, trying to conceive, newly pregnant, or navigating postpartum.

You feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice and unsure how to properly support your body or where to even start.

Metabolic Health & Wellness

is here to help!

With functional lab testing, custom nutrition plans, and individualized supplementation protocols.

I educate people on how to properly nourish their bodies with whole foods, and we work together to create a program to help them achieve their personal goals and reclaim their health.

MORE ABOUT Programs

"The preservation of health is easier than the cure of disease."

- B.J. Palmer

Hi There!

My name is Larissa Lynds. I was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario, and graduated from the Chemical Production and Power Engineering Program at Lambton College. I work full-time as a 4th Class Operating Engineer and part-time as a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

I come from a large family that I am very close to. I have a total of 10 nieces and nephews and absolutely love being an auntie! I knew that becoming a mother and raising a family of my own was my main goal in life but, I was not aware of how difficult this season would be both mentally and physically.

I have always been very passionate about health and fitness, but after being dismissed about health concerns I had postpartum, I began searching for answers on my own.

I started studying Holistic Nutrition, mineral testing and functional exercise.

It wasn't long after that I got certified in all three and began incorporating everything I had learned into my life. I was blown away at how quickly I began to see a positive change and can confidently say that my current physical, mental, and hormonal health has never been better because of it.

I have now devoted any free time that I have outside of my work and family to share this knowledge and support people all over the world on their path to a happier and healthier lifestyle!

LET'S CONNECT!

"Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis shows how the body's energy system is out of balance & how to correct it.

Once the body's energy & stamina are restored it can heal other problems on it's own.

HTMA testing is a non-invasive, functional test used to provide unique cellular reading of the mineral and heavy metal levels in your body. By analyzing a small sample of recent hair growth, you can get a snapshot of what your body has been exposed to and what is eliminating through the hair over the past 12 weeks. This data is valuable for prioritizing which diet and lifestyle strategies will be most effective for addressing your bio individual needs.

Hair is ideal tissue for sampling and testing because it is cost effective, accurate and reliable. It can be cut easily and painlessly and can be sent to the lab without special handling requirements. Clinical results have shown that a properly obtained sample can give an indication of mineral status and toxic metal accumulation following long-term or short-term exposure. An HTMA reveals unique information about how the body is functioning on a cellular level which cannot be seen through most other tests. The entire process can be done conveniently from the comfort of your own home.

When you purchase a package through me, I will send you Hair Collection Instructions, a Hair Test Kit in the mail and also provide a Demonstration Video walking you through the steps on how to properly obtain a sample for the lab. I am also available for any questions you have along the way.

The hair to be collected should be clean and you should not use permed, dyed, or bleached hair (you are required to wait at least 4-6 weeks to take your sample after any of these treatments). The hair should come from several areas of your scalp on the back portion of your head. You simply part the hair, cut as closely to the scalp as possible and then you will cut away excess hair from the sample, leaving about 1 to 1.5 inches of the root end. The total amount of hair needed is approximately 1 heaping teaspoon.

1) Metabolic Type – Rates how quickly your body is metabolizing energy and what macronutrient ratios are ideal for you

2) Mineral Status – Shows an overall snapshot of the major minerals in your body and if any are very high or low

3) Heavy Metal Excretion – Indicates if you are being exposed to any specific heavy metals and whether your body is excreting or storing them

4) Mineral Ratios – All minerals affect each other to some degree, so these ratios highlight which systems in the body need the most nutritional support

When I interpret the results it can tell me more about your current:

- Stage of stress and stress level

- Immune system function

- Adrenal and thyroid glandular activity

- Digestion

- Blood sugar handling

- Nervous system regulation

- Carbohydrate tolerance

- Energy levels

- Whether you are consuming too many carbohydrates or not enough protein

Anyone can benefit from mineral testing! The information gained is so foundational for overall health and wellbeing.

Some common clients/concerns/conditions that can greatly benefit from mineral support:

- Infertility, Preconception, Pregnancy, Postpartum

- Hormonal issues: PMS, irregular cycles, low sex-drive, unexplained weight gain/loss

- Skin issues: acne, rosacea, eczema

- Frequent headaches/migraines

- Difficulty losing or gaining weight

- Chronic fatigue

- Digestive issues: bloating, gas, loose stools, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, reflux

- PCOS, Autoimmune conditions, Thyroid disorders

- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, frequently waking throughout the night

- Hypertension

- Frequent yeast infections/UTIs

- Hair loss or hair thinning

- Mood swings, anxiety, depression

While blood testing is excellent in many ways, it is not optimal for mineral or heavy metal levels. Mineral levels are lower in blood, so it makes detection of trace elements more difficult. Toxic metals are not found in high concentrations in blood except for directly after exposure. Blood and hair each represent a different homeostatic system and different body compartments and each one has its benefits in helping to show us a different "piece of the puzzle." Blood analysis indicates transport of minerals to and from storage areas of the body outside the cells (extracellular). HTMA indicates metabolic process occurring within the cells (intracellular).

Minerals are elements that are essential for hundreds of physiological functions, including nerve signaling, muscle contraction, electrolyte balance, digestion, pH regulation, bone structure, blood sugar balance, and much more. You can think of minerals like “spark plugs” because they act as cofactors for thousands of metabolic reactions in your body. Mineral balance is essential for health and vitality.

1) Diet – Improper diet through high intake of refined and processed foods, alcohol, and extreme diets can all lead to a chemical imbalance. Even the nutrient content of a healthy diet can be inadequate, depending on the soil in which the food was grown or the method in which it was prepared.

2) Stress – Physical or emotional stress can deplete the body of many nutrients, while also reducing the capability to absorb and utilize many nutrients.

3) Medications – Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can deplete the body store of nutrient minerals and/or increase the levels of toxic metals. (Examples: Diuretics, antacids, aspirin, and oral contraceptives)

4) Pollution – From adolescence through adulthood the average person is continually exposed to a variety of toxic metal sources such as: cigarette smoke (cadmium), hair dyes (lead), hydrogenated oils (nickel), antiperspirant (aluminum), lead based cosmetics, copper and aluminum cookware, and dental amalgams (mercury and cadmium). These are just a few of the hundreds of sources which can contribute to nutrient imbalances and adverse metabolic effects.

5) Nutritional Supplements – Taking the incorrect type of supplements or improper amounts of nutritional supplements can produce many mineral excesses and/or deficiencies contributing to an overall biochemical imbalance

6) Inherited Patterns – A predisposition toward mineral imbalances, deficiencies and excesses can be inherited from parents.

I have taken several different HTMA courses which have helped me interpret the results, and design a program based on your bio individual needs.

When I receive your test results, I will contact you to book a consultation. During the consultation I will explain the results to you in a simplified way, and design a 12 week program based on the highest priority in relation to your top health concerns. You will receive a full protocol with dietary, supplementation and lifestyle recommendations as well as access to high quality supplements for the duration of your program.

My nutrition programs are designed to empower clients to make informed choices when planning meals and place a strong focus on inclusion and nutrient-dense, whole foods. Practising mindful eating habits and a balanced lifestyle is very important.

I do not believe in restriction or any form of extreme weight loss. If a client has a history of under-eating or over-exercising I strongly recommend macronutrient tracking and conducting a controlled and closely monitored reverse diet to reduce weight gain and improve metabolic health.

I also include a thorough analysis of any current supplementation to ensure clients are consuming adequate amounts of micronutrients in the most bioavailable forms. Additional recommendations will be made on an individual basis. Nutrition and supplementation programs can range from very simple to complex depending on the client, their preferences, and the season of life they are currently in.