Susan Merenstein, Pharmacist/Owner
February 8, 2026
For generations, women were never taught how their bodies actually work sexually. I never learned about sex from my mother because she was not comfortable talking about it. Many of us grew up believin…
January 8, 2026
(Bone Strength–Focused Care for Women and Men) ⸻ Food-Base Nutrition for Bone Strength Bone strength is best supported through whole foods, with supplementation used strategically to correct def…
January 8, 2026
(For Patients and Clinicians) 1. What is the difference between bone density and bone strength? Bone density refers to the amount of mineral (primarily calcium) in bone and is what is measured by a DE…
January 6, 2026
A bone-strength–focused framework for men and women Introduction Osteoporosis has long been framed as a disease of calcium deficiency and treated primarily by attempting to raise bone mineral de…
February 28, 2022
In Recognition of National Heart Month Updated Editorial Note (2026) This article was originally written in 2022 and remains a strong educational overview of the relationship between hormonal balance…
November 26, 2025
What “Appropriate Use” Really Means — And Why Women Deserve Better When the FDA removed the long-standing boxed warning from menopausal hormone therapy, headlines exploded! “In…
November 26, 2025
Why This Addendum Matters For more than 20 years, the WHI has shaped — and misshaped — the conversation around menopausal hormone therapy. Misinterpretations from this single study led to…
November 26, 2025
Another potential hormone overdose-online health clinics doctors prescribing large doses of Testosterone and achieving “young man” blood serum levels Women need one-tenth to one-twentieth…
November 11, 2025
Note: “Progestogen” in manufactured MHT refers to Provera, the synthetic manmade molecule, which is NOT the same as bioidentical/human identical hormone Progesterone. “Estrogen&rdquo…
October 17, 2025
In breast tissue, the presence of estradiol induces 10-20 times increase in progesterone receptors Progesterone induces the enzyme estradiol-dehydrogenase, which converts estradiol to estrone (estradi…
April 4, 2025
Why Magnesium is Essential Magnesium is a crucial nutrient that supports over 300 metabolic enzymes/functions in the body, making it indispensable as a cofactor. However, many people do not get enough…
March 12, 2025
Note: This blog has been updated February 7, 2026 (origninal blog March 2025) When people ask me what supplements I recommend, they’re often surprised by my answer. It’s not about taking d…
February 13, 2025
VITAMINS Vitamin A: Helps formation and maintenance of health teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. Promotes good vision and is required for reproduction and lactation. Beta-car…
February 13, 2025
The coronavirus pandemic has increased stress level, anxiety, and mental health in general for everyone in one way or another. Whether we are aware of it or not, the significant changes in work, home…
January 3, 2025
Scientists and medical experts agree that the key to optimal health and vitality is a healthy immune system. Mother Nature’s singular goal is the survival of the species. To the extent that we c…
June 4, 2024
Ascorbyl Palmitate is an ester derived from ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and palmitic acid. Palmitic acid is the most ubiquitous saturated fatty acid found in living organisms, and binding it to ascorbic…
April 23, 2024
We talk a lot about estrogen, especially in perimenopause and menopause. But there’s another hormone that’s equally important to women’s health (and sanity): progesterone. And honest…
January 23, 2024
A randomized controlled clinical trial led by Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, an adjunct Professor from the Harvard School of Public Health and an honorary professor at…
January 2, 2024
1) Grapes Many fruits are high in sugar and will produce blood sugar spikes (although whole fruit is always better than juice). Grapes have 15g–20g of sugar per cup and many people find they rai…
January 2, 2024
For a more in depth discussion of Minerals for immune function please read our blog https://vitalhealthpharmacist.com/blog/2025/01/the-foundation-of-a-healthy-immune-system/ "Minerals such as magnesiu…
January 2, 2024
Updated: 02/12/2025 and 02/07/26 Winters are dark in Pittsburgh, the gray skies and cold days are with us for months. But did you know our city’s lack of sunshine could be putting your health at…
January 2, 2024
Scientists and medical experts agree that the key to optimal health and vitality is a healthy immune system. Mother Nature’s singular goal is survival of the species. To the extent that we contr…
November 14, 2023
For an updated comprehensive review on Vitamin D3 please refer to our blog: https://vitalhealthpharmacist.com/blog/2024/01/vitamin-d-and-dementia-risk/ While John R. Lee, M.D. was a leading expert on…
October 17, 2023
My bedtime is fast approaching but before I go to sleep, I want to share a few thoughts about sleep from the book Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker PhD in Neuroph…
September 19, 2023
Updated: 07/01/2023 The following article is an excerpt from Why We Get Sick by Levels advisor Ben Bikman, printed here with permission. Why We Get Sick is a ground-breaking book on insulin resistance…
April 18, 2023
By Mary Biles Menopause is finally getting its moment in the spotlight after being largely ignored by the medical profession or at best talked about in lowered voices and euphemisms. In the last coup…
April 11, 2023
Dr. Kate Placzek A symbol of femininity for so many women, our hair demands attention. Both deeply personal and superficially public, changes in the looks of our hair can inspire a range of emotions,…
March 20, 2023
Dr. Anna Cabeca Experiencing Activities you Love Here are some of my favorites: walking on the beach, watching sunsets and sunrises, painting, horseback riding, cuddling up in your chair with a favori…
February 21, 2023
Timing Smoking Cessation Attempts with Women’s Hormone Levels Could Improve Success July 3, 2022 Summary: When a woman’s progesterone increases from a low level, the fewer cigarettes they…
February 14, 2023
Editor’s Note: Our understanding of insulin resistance and metabolic health continues to evolve. This article now links to a newly updated and expanded 3-part educational series exploring insuli…
February 14, 2023
Source: Dr. Izabella Wentz For many of us women, hair loss can be a distressing symptom that we experience with Hashimoto’s. In many ways, our hair represents our femininity. When we experience…
February 14, 2023
What Are Bioidentical Hormones? The term bioidentical does not indicate the source of the hormone but rather the chemical structure. Bioidentical hormones are originally derived from a molecule called…
February 14, 2023
….and why does it need a month of awareness... no other inflammatory skin disorder like acne, psoriasis, eczema has an awareness month? Rosacea is a genetic-based inflammatory skin disorder tha…
November 10, 2022
By Dr.Casey Means, MD Food is information for your cells. That’s why every food and beverage you consume can support or undermine how well your body functions. For instance, foods made with adde…
March 21, 2022
Stress is part of everyday life-we can’t eliminate it, but we can control our response to it.. According to an annual market research study conducted in collaboration with the American Psycholog…
March 7, 2022
The Italian magazine Evolutamente recently published a well-researched article exploring the link between melatonin and COVID-19, pneumonia and inflammation. It’s a compelling article so let&rsq…
March 5, 2022
Testosterone is our hormone of zest! Women make one-tenth as much testosterone as males. Normal, healthy women make testosterone in ovaries (stimulated by LH from the pituitary), adrenal glands, skin…
March 2, 2022
What is the difference between natural and synthetic Progesterone? Progesterone was first crystallized in 1934, and today is available from plant sources. “Natural” micronized progesterone…
October 1, 2021
Menopause can be a confusing time for many women and their families, and as a society we tend to steer away from having open, honest conversations about this very important transition in a woman&rsquo…
September 1, 2021
Delivery of the bioidentical hormones estradiol (E2), progesterone (Pg), and testosterone (T) through the skin as a cream or gel (topically) has become a mainstay of bioidentical hormone replacement t…
July 1, 2021
One of the most common signs associated with advancing age is wrinkling, thinning, and sagging of the skin. Several different internal and external processes can contribute to these signs. Winter cold…
May 1, 2021
Hormones are the basis of our behavior and personality. In most ways, they make us who we are. They impact everything from attraction to appetite - affecting our mood, our weight, our food-cravings, a…
February 17, 2021
I have come to understand that: My health is my greatest asset. I can be happy in myself, irrespective of my relationships. I can live my life as an expression of myself, and not justify it to others.…
February 1, 2021
The aging process is challenging enough without the fear of declining cognitive function. Studies have shown that there is a memory decline from age 25 to age 40 of 21%, and continues so that by age 7…
January 1, 2021
30 million adults suffer from thyroid imbalance. Don’t let dysfunction go undiagnosed. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits behind and below the Adam’s apple. A wide ran…
August 1, 2020
1. Difficulty Getting Up Each Morning, Even After A Long Sleep One of the major causes of Adrenal Dysfunction is getting insufficient sleep. Getting more rest is, therefore, one of the best ways to re…
July 1, 2020
You need rest. In fact, your survival literally depends on your ability to sleep. Cortisol, the substance we associate with stress, has a powerful influence on sleep and waking in the human body. Here…
June 1, 2020
Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys, hence the word “Ad” (on top of) and Renal (kidneys). They regulate many critical hormonal jobs as well as make about 50 hormones in your bod…
March 1, 2020
Many of us know that maintaining an ideal weight is difficult despite all the best efforts with diet and exercise. What most don't know is that an undetected hormone imbalance can be the hidden culpri…
February 1, 2020
While cannabis is being legalized in more and more states, both the adverse and beneficial effects of its use are starting to be better understood. The active compound in cannabis, THC (tetrahydrocann…
January 1, 2020
Dear Friends, Are YOU prepared for Menopause?! It doesn’t have to be a scary or traumatic experience with these helpful suggestions. You will need to be aware of your symptoms, educated on hormo…
