Dr. PAMELA LANGENDERFER

I grew up on a farm in rural Michigan.  My family used conventional farming methods to raise over 1,000 acres of wheat, corn, soybeans, and had over 200 pigs at a time.  I was active in 4-H and was an avid athlete.

You would think growing up on a farm and playing sports that I would have been really healthy but I was not!  I had chronic ear infections as a child which resulted in many rounds of antibiotics.  I had severe eczema and asthma which resulted in chronic steroid use.  This ultimately wreaked havoc on my gut and hormones.

I was also very disconnected from my food.  Every time I ate I felt bloated, constipated, puffy and fat.  This began a very unhealthy relationship with food which left me feeling depressed and exhausted most of the time.

I would often have sudden hypoglycemic episodes such as feeling anxious, shaky, and very irritable.  My family and friends would often refer to this as ” the hulk” (as in the incredible hulk) coming out.  These episodes would leave me with such intense  cravings that I would consume large amounts of carbohydrates at a time which would send me on a quick high.  This was followed by a quick low which usually left me feeling more exhausted.  Little did I know  I was on a constant blood sugar roller coaster.  The pattern was the same: consume large amounts of food at a time, then go for long periods without eating.  Needless to say I did not feel well.

In 1992, searching for a way to feel better, I began studying  health fitness and nutrition  in college. However, nothing that I was learning  seemed to help improve how I felt.  By the time I was 21 all of my symptoms intensified and  I also began experiencing severe hormonal issues.  I knew that I could not continue down this path and that there had to be a better way.

In the summer of 1995, I began researching other health fields that could give me answers.  That is when I first discovered Naturopathic medicine.  The philosophy is what sold me and I knew immediately that it was exactly what I was meant to do!

Both Naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine recognize nutrition as the cornerstone to health.  I learned that food was not something to just make you fat or thin, food was there to nourish the body and create long term optimal health.  I learned how eating what I thought was a healthy food was actually the root cause for so many of my symptoms.  I also learned it was possible to eat and feel good at the same time.

Food is the foundation for flourishing hormonal health!  I want everyone to learn how to use the power of nutrition to nourish their body, soul, and mind.

Dr. Pam moved to Coeur d Alene, Idaho in 2002 and co-owns Lakeside Holistic Health, PLLC with her husband Dr. Jerry Bailey.  Lakeside Holistic Health, PLLC has two locations serving the Inland Northwest:  Coeur d Alene, Idaho and Liberty Lake, Washington.