Laura Mendez, RN, WHCNP Optimal Health of Houston

06/16/2026

Common ultra-processed grain-based foods include:
Breakfast Cereals: Sweetened and puffed cereals (e.g., Froot Loops, Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
Packaged Breads: Mass-produced sliced white bread, burger buns, and hot dog rolls
Instant Grains: Flavored or sugar-coated instant oatmeal packets and microwaveable seasoned rice mixes
Baked Goods: Store-bought cookies, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes
Snack Foods: Flavored crackers, pretzels, and microwave popcorn
Packaged Mixes: Boxed pasta meals, macaroni and cheese kits, and breadcrumb coatings
Convenience Items: Frozen pizzas, TV dinners with grain-based sides, and pre-made frozen waffles

These are most likely the cause of IBS as well.

High intake of ultraprocessed grains may be associated with increased risk of developing IBD.

06/15/2026

We have a couple openings for Fraxel Dual !
If you plan to hide away for the summer and not being in any sun, it may be a great time for you too come in and get a Fraxel !

If you are looking to start reducing find lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, sun damage, acne scarring, and even melasma, come talk to me about this amazing treatment!

June 27th has a few slots!!! Sign up today 😍

06/09/2026

Sharing Dr. Fitzgerald's nice graphics on creatine....

06/09/2026

Why consider Myers' Cocktail IV Therapy?
Because it's a foundational wellness infusion for nutrient replenishment & cellular support!

The Myers' Cocktail is one of the most widely recognized intravenous nutrient formulations in integrative and functional medicine. Originally developed by Dr. John Myers and later advanced by Dr. Alan Gaby, the formulation combines essential vitamins and minerals delivered directly into the bloodstream to support nutrient status and normal physiologic function.

Typical Components
Vitamin C
B-Complex Vitamins
Vitamin B12
Magnesium
Calcium

Why incorporate Myers' Cocktail Into your Wellness Regimen?

Direct Nutrient Delivery
*Bypasses gastrointestinal absorption barriers
*Avoids first-pass metabolism
*Provides near-complete bioavailability of administered nutrients

Supports Normal Cellular Function

*B vitamins participate in cellular energy metabolism
*Vitamin C contributes to antioxidant activity and collagen formation
*Magnesium supports neuromuscular and enzymatic function
*Calcium supports cellular signaling and communication

Delivers key vitamins and minerals directly into circulation
May be incorporated into individualized wellness and nutrient support programs

NOTE: Prior to IV therapy lab is required as some people cannot tolerate nutrient IV therapy genetically.

Clinical Perspective
Published clinical observations and preliminary studies have reported favorable changes in patient-reported wellness measures following intravenous nutrient therapy. Additional research continues to evaluate the role of IV nutrient delivery across various wellness applications.

Selected References
Gaby AR. Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: The Myers' Cocktail. Alternative Medicine Review. 2002;7(5):389-403.
Ali A, et al. Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (Myers' Cocktail) for Fibromyalgia: A Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(3):247-257.
Alangari A. To IV or Not to IV: The Science Behind Intravenous Vitamin Therapy. Cureus. 2025.
History of Myers Cocktail. 2024.

Source: Anazao Health

06/05/2026

if you haven’t already, book your Red Carpet Facial today. With this luxurious facial, you will be more hydrated, lifted, and you’ll be ready for a night on the town.

Benefits:

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👉🏼Improved hydration
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Contact us today and get started on your anti-aging skin journey today.

06/03/2026

This was released in Alabama in reaction to all of the craziness regarding use of peptides.
Trust me, peptides can be wonderful things. Take for example the GIP’s like Zepbound. Studies are steadily coming out showing benefits. However, there are also potential side effects. Other peptides are currently in research to determine if they are safe for humans, including Retatrutide, the newest treatment for obesity . Current studies are looking at cardiac arrhythmias associated with is use. Yet I’m seeing people talk about using it on Facebook and other Social Media.
As you know, I am constantly following new breakthroughs and the studies involving them. I only recently began prescribing Zepbound after much research.
If you are thinking about or already obtaining peptides online or from someone offering them, I want you to remember that for them, it’s all about money.
Unfortunately, it is the Wild, Wild West in medicine right now. You can pretty much buy anything online now, call/text a number to have an IV brought to your home or work and consult your neighborhood “expert” in aesthetics or hormones, who with little or no training can order many of the tests I do and then treat you.
Patients are using AI to review their lab and then coming in to tell me how to treat them, not realizing that AI is not taking into account their history.
Please be careful out there, folks.
My fear is that practitioners are going to continue to get fed up with this and decide to leave medicine. We are already short handed and it’s going to get worse. Patients are waiting now for months to get in for an appointment.
I think we will see more States doing what Alabama is doing.

https://www.albme.gov/press-release/board-issues-official-notice-concerning-the-prescribing-of-non-fda-approved-research-grade-peptides⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS & PATIENTS | Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (ALBME) has issued an official notice prohibiting physicians and all licensed healthcare providers from prescribing, administering, recommending, or supplying non-FDA approved (research-grade) peptides to patients.

Here are the key points every provider — and patient — should know:

🚫 Research-grade peptides are NOT FDA-approved. They have not been tested for safety or efficacy in humans, and manufacturing standards cannot be verified.

🚫 No exceptions apply. Physicians cannot delegate this to NPs, PAs, or CNMs — the prohibition covers ALL licensed healthcare professionals in Alabama.

📋 Patient consent forms don't protect you. Signing a "research-grade" waiver does NOT eliminate a provider's professional or legal liability.

⚠️ Compounding pharmacies must be licensed by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy. All drugs dispensed must be prescription quality.

👉 If a patient independently acquires and self-administers such substances, the risk falls solely on the patient — but any provider involvement is prohibited and constitutes the practice of medicine.

The ALBME is committed to upholding the highest standards of patient safety. All practitioners are expected to comply immediately.

06/01/2026

05/27/2026

https://www.eatingwell.com/costco-recalls-kirkland-supplements-canada-11983777

This is why you only buy pharm grade supplements!

Costco recalls Kirkland Signature Women's 50+ multivitamin tablets in Canada for foreign matter contamination. Here's what you need to know

05/25/2026

Remembering those women, men and animals who gave their lives for our country.

05/14/2026

Thursday, May 14th-
It’s all over media today. PMOS-what a breakthrough!!!!
Except-
Alllopathic providers are still going to gaslight patients
They have little knowledge of nutrition and no knowledge of Functional Health and root cause care
The majority of nutritionists do not know how to counsel a patient regarding metabolic disease
The food industry is STILL poisoning us
The agricultural community is STILL using hormones and other endocrine disruptors
The governmental body who is supposed to be protecting us is not
People are so addicted to Frankenfood that they feel like they’re going to die if they eat whole foods
My Mom always used to say-Don’t come to me with a problem if you can’t offer some possible solutions.
Is anyone offering solutions for this amazing new classification of PCOS?
Nope-but I betcha there’s gonna be a new drug OR it’s going to give a whole new demographic for GLP’s. I have nothing against them-I’ve started prescribing them. However, multiple factors have to be addressed and mainstream medicine is not ready.
If you’re having issues with PMOS or endometriosis, please vet carefully before you see someone for help. I guarantee you if someone says they are a hormone expert or Functional Medicine specialist and they’ve only recently been educated, they are not experts. I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and I don’t feel like I’m an “expert”. I’m always learning, but experience does matter.
Have a great day everyone! I’ll discuss more on this tomorrow. Please share with someone who is affected.