Madison Brown, PA-C

Madison Brown, PA-C Family Medicine PA 👩🏻‍⚕️ + Mom 🎀
Sharing tips and tricks to keep you and your family healthy!
(4)

06/16/2026

Buying vitamins and supplements on Amazon!?😵‍💫

There are thousands of options. Half of them are sketchy. And most people have no idea what to look for.

So here’s what I actually check before I buy anything:

✔️ Third-party testing (NSF, USP, or ConsumerLab certified)
✔️ Made in the US or Europe
✔️ No “proprietary blends” hiding the amounts
✔️ The right form of the nutrient (magnesium oxide ≠ magnesium glycinate)
✔️ Minimal fillers and unnecessary junk

And no, more expensive does not mean better. Some of my favorites are mid-priced.

So what brands do I actually tell my patients about (and personally use!)?! 👇🏼

Now foods official and have both been staples in my own cabinet since 2020

and are also great!

Do you take Amazon supplements!? If so, which ones?

Follow along for more tips to simplify your health from a working perimenopausal mom who is trying to do the same thing!❤️

DISCLAIMER: This is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always discuss supplements with your healthcare provider.

perimenopause workingmom

06/16/2026

Your thyroid is “normal” but you still feel exhausted, foggy, and freezing? 👇🏼

There’s a number most providers don’t check: ferritin.

Ferritin is your iron storage. And even if it’s technically “in range,” low ferritin can leave you feeling like you’re running on empty.

🔹 Exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix
🔹 Brain fog
🔹 Hair falling out
🔹 Feeling cold all the time

A ferritin of 15 might be “normal” on paper. But most women feel their best closer to 50 or higher.

If you’ve been told everything looks fine but you KNOW something is off, ask your provider to check your ferritin.

It’s not in your head. It might just be in your labs. 🧠

Comment below 👇🏼have you had your levels checked?!

06/14/2026

Here’s exactly what I told her 👇🏼

But first, head to the comments and tell me your favorite source for quick energy and I’ll drop my new favorite low calorie order!

🏃‍♀️This patient works long days on her feet and was trying to stay away from energy drinks like Alani, Red Bull and Celsius (thank goodness!!!!).🏃‍♀️

So we broke down her best options.

☕ 1. Coffee (my personal favorite!)

* Most studied source of caffeine
* Associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and possibly neurodegenerative diseases in many observational studies
* Contains antioxidants and polyphenols
* Best option: black or lightly sweetened
🧋Just be careful not to load it down with sugar!🧋

🍵 2. Green Tea

* Contains caffeine plus L-theanine, which may promote a calmer, more focused alertness
* Rich in catechins and antioxidants
* Often easier on the nervous system than coffee
🍑My favorite is to fill my big tumbler up with frozen fruit, water and a green tea pouch! 🍓

🫖 3. Black Tea

* Less caffeine than coffee
* Contains polyphenols that may benefit cardiovascular health
* Good option if coffee makes you jittery

🧉 4. Yerba Mate

* Contains caffeine plus antioxidants and polyphenols
* Many people find it provides steady energy without as much crash
* Found in some wellness-focused energy products

What I generally tell patients to avoid:

🚫 Energy drinks loaded with sugar and 10+ different ingredients
🚫 Multiple energy drinks per day
🚫 High-caffeine products (>400 mg/day total caffeine)
🚫 Using caffeine to compensate for chronic sleep deprivation

👋And the MOST important conversation is making sure we are setting ourselves up for long lasting energy with our daily habits-

* Protein at breakfast
* Adequate hydration
* Strength training
* Good sleep
* Blood sugar stability throughout the day

Bonus- Whats your 7Brew order!?

06/13/2026

Want to know more 👇🏼

Benadryl is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications in America, but over the past decade researchers have raised concerns about its long-term effects on brain health.

Here’s what the evidence actually shows:

🔹 Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an anticholinergic medication, meaning it blocks acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning.

🔹 A 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that higher cumulative use of strong anticholinergic medications was associated with an increased risk of dementia. The highest users had approximately a 54% higher risk compared to non-users.

🔹 Multiple subsequent studies have found similar associations between long-term anticholinergic exposure and cognitive decline, especially in older adults.

🔹 The risk appears to increase with cumulative exposure over time, meaning years of regular use may matter more than occasional use.

What these studies do NOT show:

❌ That Benadryl directly causes dementia.
❌ That taking Benadryl occasionally is dangerous.
❌ That everyone who has taken Benadryl will develop memory problems.

My goal isn’t to scare anyone.

My goal is to help friends/family/patients understand where the science is pointing so they can make informed decisions about medications they take every day.

If Benadryl has become part of your nightly routine for sleep, it may be worth discussing safer long-term options with your healthcare provider.

💬 What are your thoughts? What’s actually worked to help you sleep?

DISCLAIMER: Educational only. Not medical advice.

06/11/2026

The science behind the perimenopause combo everyone is talking about! 👇

If you’re in perimenopause and dealing with:
→ Random hives
→ Brain fog
→ Flushing
→ Headaches
→ Inflammation that came out of nowhere

Your histamine might be the problem.

When estrogen fluctuates, it destabilizes your mast cells — the cells that release histamine. And histamine works through TWO pathways, not one.

H1 receptors → Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra
H2 receptors → Pepcid, Tagamet

That’s why blocking just one doesn’t always cut it.

This isn’t medical advice and it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you’ve been feeling “off” and can’t figure out why — this might be worth bringing up with your provider.

Have you heard of this? Tried it?

⚠️ Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always discuss concerns with your healthcare provider.

workingmom

06/10/2026

Losing hair on Ozempic, Wegovy, or another GLP-1? Here’s what’s actually going on 👇

(And please excuse the sound of the AC running 🥶)

First — it’s usually NOT the medication directly damaging your hair follicles.

It’s something called telogen effluvium — a temporary shedding phase triggered by rapid change in the body. Weight loss, stress, surgery, even postpartum can cause it.

When you lose weight quickly, your body can push more hair follicles into the “resting” phase at once. A few months later, that hair sheds — and it can feel alarming.

Here’s what helps:
✅ Prioritize protein (your hair needs it to grow)
✅ Slow, steady weight loss when possible
✅ Check your iron and ferritin levels — low levels make shedding worse
✅ Consider biotin, but talk to your provider first

The reassuring part? For most people, it’s temporary. Hair typically starts recovering once weight stabilizes.

🚩 When to talk to your provider:
→ Losing hair in clumps or patches
→ Shedding hasn’t slowed after 6+ months
→ You’re also experiencing fatigue, brittle nails, or other symptoms

You’re not alone in this — and it doesn’t mean you have to stop your medication.

Have you experienced this?
What are your concerns with these medications?

Scrubs are color Berry Blast

⚠️ Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always discuss concerns with your healthcare provider.

06/04/2026

This is coming from a southern girl that loves a ham hock in her green beans…

Salt isn’t innocent… but it’s also not the villain many people think it is.

📌 Average BP reduction from sodium restriction is often only about 3-5 mmHg.
📌 Some people are highly salt-sensitive and may see much larger improvements.
📌 Most dietary sodium comes from processed and restaurant foods—not the salt shaker.
📌 Weight loss, exercise, better sleep, potassium-rich foods, and reducing ultra-processed foods often have a bigger impact on blood pressure.

So before you start eating flavorless food, take a look at the bigger picture.

Are you more surprised by the 3-5 point average reduction or by where most sodium actually comes from? 👇

Scrubs are color Hibiscus

disclaimer: this is not medical advice and purely medical education. Please make sure to always speak to your individual healthcare provider for individualized recommendations.

06/02/2026

Here’s how you can help me!!

If you work in ANY field that wears scrubs I want to hear from you!
Drop your occupation and favorite scrub brand below!

I know that this community is full of ladies who wear scrubs to work because I have come to know so many of you! We have swapped stories, cheered one another on, and learned from each other. And for this I am so grateful.

I have worn and loved Fabletics scrubs for years. The price + value + fit is spot on for me!

PS- the scrubs in this reel are the Fabletics color Sea Glass.

06/02/2026

High Protein Chicken Salad Recipe 👇🏼

I swear one of my biggest weight loss “hacks” has been to prepare a big bag of all the food I’m going to eat for the week on Monday.
Decisions have already been made which leaves little room for error!

Other things that have helped-
•Eating a protein rich breakfast (no fasting here!)
•Fueling up on fiber to balance glucose and NEVER eating a baked carb!

🍗Chicken Salad Recipe 🥗

Mix together —
•3 large chicken breasts- cooked for 4 hours on high in the crockpot- then shred
•3 stalks of celery diced
•1/2 red onion diced
•Jar of dill relish

Dressing—
•1.5 cups of plain Greek yogurt
•1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or more based on taste preference) - could also use pickle juice!
•Plenty of salt and pepper
•Garlic powder to taste

Mix together well and enjoy!

Wha are you having for lunch this week??? 👇🏼

Scrubs are Fabletics color Gelato!

physicianassista

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Richmond, VA

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