Test Don't Guess: Honoring What Your Body Needs

MARCH 2026 | NEWSLETTER

2026 Invites Reflection—Not Restriction

I hope your 2026 is settling into a good rhythm. The first couple of months of the year were a little iffy, but March feels like a welcome reset. Over the holidays I leaned into slower days with friends and family (and the luxury of someone else doing the cooking), plus a quick side trip with my sister-in-law Christine and my niece Lily to celebrate Lily’s 21st birthday.

I also made a big personal shift and moved to the Gulf Coast—so these days I’m enjoying a little more sunshine while getting back into my routines. Alongside that change, I’m excited to share that the new Ageless by Alicia website is now live, bringing together my wellness coaching services, lifestyle resources, and chef offerings all in one place. Thank you for your patience with the delayed newsletter. 😁

This week also marks International Women’s Day, a reminder of the strength, resilience, and impact of women everywhere—and a good moment to reflect on how we care for our own health and well-being as we continue to show up for the people and communities around us.

As we move further into the Year of the Fire Horse—an energy known for speed, intensity, and forward drive—remember that you don’t have to match the chaos to thrive. Rather than defaulting to the hustle, pause and ask yourself: What does my body truly need right now—and am I willing to honor it?

Honoring your body isn't about doing more—it's about getting more precise. In functional medicine, we live by the principle “test, don’t guess.” Targeted lab work helps us understand how our body is actually functioning—guiding smarter nutrition choices, more precise supplementation, and identifying underlying imbalances before they become bigger issues.

The newly updated dietary guidelines echo this shift, reinforcing what functional medicine has long emphasized: there is no one-size-fits-all diet. While the guidelines highlight whole foods, fiber, protein quality, and metabolic health, the real power comes from tailoring those principles to your biology, lifestyle, and goals.

This month, we'll explore the power of aligning data + personalized nutrition + real life, so your wellness plan finally fits you.

Test, Don't Guess (and why it matters)

At the turn of each new year, I take time to get clear on what truly deserves my attention when it comes to my health. For me, that clarity always starts with understanding how my body is functioning right now—before deciding what to change, add, or prioritize in the year ahead. One of the most valuable tools I rely on for that insight is comprehensive functional lab testing.

Functional testing empowers me—and my clients—with the information needed to be proactive about wellness. While standard lab ranges are designed to detect disease, functional testing asks a different question: how well is your body actually functioning? By evaluating trends and optimal ranges, it provides insight that supports long-term health, performance, and resilience.

Because I test consistently and know my family history, I’m able to focus on the lab trends that truly matter. In my most recent labs, two markers stood out—Lipoprotein(a) and ApoB. Both are powerful, often under-tested drivers of cardiovascular risk. In this month's blog, I unpack what they mean and why knowing your numbers is essential.

Personalized Nutrition:

Knowing When You're Getting Enough

One of the most common questions I hear is, “Am I eating well enough?” The answer is rarely yes or no—it’s personal. Personalized nutrition isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about understanding what your body needs right now.

This is where test, don’t guess comes into play. Lab data helps clarify whether you’re getting enough protein, fiber, and key nutrients—and where something may be lacking, overdone, or needs to be prioritized differently. Pairing that data with dietary analysis allows you to analyze how your daily choices align with your biology—revealing gaps, patterns, and opportunities that aren’t obvious on their own.

While the 2026 dietary guidelines emphasize whole, nutrient-dense eating patterns, their real value lies in how they’re applied. Foods that may be appropriate for one person can have a very different impact for another. Based on my own cardiovascular markers and genetic risk profile, I know I need to be mindful of saturated fat intake—an adjustment that wouldn’t necessarily apply to someone with a different metabolic or genetic makeup. This is the power of individualized nutrition: using data to decide what to emphasize, what to moderate, and where your body needs targeted support, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all advice.

Be Well!

Alicia

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