It seems medical ads, influencers and, yes, even valid information comes at us a mile a minute these days, making the task of parsing through fact and fiction ever more difficult, especially in women’s health.
One arena that has caught our attention for 2025 is the growing conversation around functional and holistic medicine, or the practice of addressing an issue’s origin based on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional factors. We sat down with Katie Hart, MD, PharmD, of Restore Health Lab to learn more.
How did your early health concerns inform your approach to holistic healing, particularly in women’s health?
KH: As a child and young adult, I struggled with various health issues, primarily inflammatory ones like food intolerances, eczema, allergies, asthma and acne. Over time, I learned the power of clean eating, proper sleep, exercise and targeted supplementation, realizing that the body functions as an interconnected whole rather than separate systems. I battled hormonal acne into my 20s and tried “the pill,” which only led to more problems. I always felt that traditional approaches to women’s health often rely on birth control pills or antidepressants to “fix” issues considered typical for women.
Though my journey toward understanding holistic healing has been long, I’ve learned that true wellness doesn’t come from a single solution. Once I adopted a holistic approach to my daily life, my acne cleared and I felt healthier and stronger. As I prepared to start a family, I knew I needed to continue prioritizing my health. Today, I’m blessed with a beautiful baby boy, which I largely attribute to my holistic approach. I believe in the strength and resilience of women, and that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to women’s health. It’s time for a shift to embrace holistic healing and the benefits it offers for overall health.
What do you wish more people understood about functional wellness vs. conventional wellness?
KH: I wish more people understood that functional wellness emphasizes a long-term, collaborative relationship between the patient and provider, focusing on root causes and individualized care. It takes a holistic approach, looking at the whole body — physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental factors — while recognizing the interconnectedness of systems.
Functional wellness emphasizes individualized care where diet, lifestyle, sleep, stress management and supplements are tailored to the person’s unique needs. Unfortunately, in traditional medicine, there often isn’t enough time to build a deeper connection between patient and provider. This results in brief interactions that can make it difficult to identify the root cause of illness, leaving patients feeling unheard and frustrated.
The general public is finally beginning to pay more attention to perimenopause and menopause, but interests still revolve mostly around symptoms. How should that focus change?
KH: While it’s great that perimenopause and menopause are receiving more attention, the conversation often focuses primarily on traditional symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disturbances. However, many other symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, depression, joint pain and even chest pain are often overlooked, even though they can be just as impactful. These are not issues women should have to endure.
There should also be a shift in the conversation to focus on the benefits of hormone therapy. There is research that indicates hormone therapy can improve bone health by preventing bone loss, offer protection for the cardiovascular system, enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia, as well as help stabilize mood symptoms by reducing the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
KH: The biggest misconception about BHRT is that it is completely “natural” and therefore risk-free. While BHRT uses hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the body, it still carries risks if not properly managed. Many people believe that bioidentical hormones are inherently safer than traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because they are not synthetic, but the term “bioidentical” simply means the hormones match those produced naturally by the body. BHRT should be carefully tailored to an individual’s needs and monitored by a health care provider.
One of your professional focuses is circadian biology. What everyday changes can we make to better work with our body’s rhythms?
KH: There are several simple changes we can make to better align with our body’s natural rhythms. One key adjustment is optimizing light exposure. Getting natural sunlight shortly after waking up helps reset the body’s internal clock and creates a cascade of hormone actions that affect every facet of the metabolism. Reducing screen time in the evening on phones, computers and TVs supports melatonin production, aiding sleep.
Another important change is maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends, to help regulate energy levels. Incorporating regular physical activity during the day also supports natural rhythms, though it’s best to avoid intense exercise early in the morning before sunrise and close to bedtime, as it can elevate cortisol.
Lastly, what are three pieces of advice you would give to women at any age?
KH: First and foremost, trust your intuition. When you feel something is off or wrong, trust your gut and listen to your body when it comes to your health, relationships and goals.
Second, one of the best pieces of advice I ever received from another woman was to give yourself grace. As women, we often try to “do it all,” but it’s important to recognize that this isn’t always possible, and that’s okay. Life brings new challenges at every stage, both external and internal, but treating yourself with the same patience and understanding you offer others will help you navigate these challenges with resilience.
Lastly, act from love, not fear. Every day, we make countless choices, both big and small. When you act through love, you align with your true values, creating peace and fulfillment. Fear, on the other hand, leads to stress, resentment and missed opportunities.
Learn more at restorehealthlab.com.
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