Shelley Gibbs, Naturopathic Doctor

05/26/2026

I had my first mammogram today! It was relatively quick and relatively painless.

People in Ontario aged 40 to 74 can get an OHIP-covered mammogram without needing a doctor or nurse practitioner’s referral via the Ontario Breast Screening Program.

People ages 40 to 74 are eligible for screening if they:

✅ have no breast cancer symptoms

✅ have no personal history of breast cancer
have not had a mastectomy (surgery to remove breast tissue)

✅ have not had a screening mammogram within the last 11 months

✅ if transfeminine, have used feminizing hormones for at least 5 years in a row


Talk to your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or a Health811 navigator to make an informed decision on whether breast cancer screening is right for you.

Learn more at https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/cancer-care-ontario/programs/screening-programs/ontario-breast-obsp

05/15/2026

Why can’t social media have any chill?

Today in ‘of course the internet ran away with things’, I present the TikTok trend “fibermaxxing”.

The idea behind it reflects a genuine nutritional gap. Most Canadians only consume half of the recommended amount of fiber per day.

✅ Fiber’s health benefits are well known – digestive health, appetite control & weight management, cardiometabolic health.

✅ Some of the fibermaxxing content is top notch – inspiring us to add more fruits & vegetables, whole grains, beans & lentils, and nuts & seeds; even highlighting which ones earn gold stars in the fiber department (hey there kiwi! 🥝).

❌ Some of the fibermaxxing content lacks nuance and personalization.

Not everyone will be okay with rapidly increasing their fiber consumption. Start with a small amount and gradually work up.

❌ And not all fibers are well tolerated by everyone. Ingredients like inulin and chicory root fiber are common ingredients in fiber (or “gut health”) bars, powders, gummies, snacks, and cereals. They can lead to gas and bloating and discomfort, especially in more sensitive guts. 💨

05/12/2026

The Lancet Journal announced today that (after years of global collaboration, input and discussion) PCOS is now officially PMOS: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.
This is a step in the right direction for a condition that affects 1 in 8 women (170 million people worldwide). More accurate clinical language is helpful and necessary. However, it also needs to result in more accurate and timely diagnoses, better patient care and treatment (that spans a lifetime), as well as more research and research funding.
The Lancet states that the transition will occur over the next 3 years and “overall goals include greater awareness, enhanced diagnosis, improved care quality and patient satisfaction”. I will cross my fingers that all of that is achieved.
What do you think?

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/04/2026

Next time you swing by the office, check out the magnolias in bloom on the Caroline Street side of the building!

05/01/2026

Do you experience brain fog? Trouble focusing, grasping for words, mental fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness. There are myriad reasons why this might be happening, perimenopause and ADHD among them. However, one key nutrient deficiency may also be playing a role (alone or by exacerbating underlying conditions like perimenopause and ADHD). Suboptimal ferritin (stored iron) levels are an often overlooked cause of brain fog. Low iron stores limit oxygen delivery to the brain and reduce dopamine synthesis. Suboptimal ferritin levels are also common in populations experiencing perimenopause and those diagnosed with ADHD. So, if you’ve been experiencing brain fog, it’s a good idea to have your ferritin level run. As of September 2025 Ontario has raised the baseline for what is considered normal (from 15ug to 30ug).