Integrative Medicine of Arizona

09/04/2026

If Alzheimer’s or dementia runs in your family, you may have wondered:

Is this going to happen to me, too?

It’s an understandable fear, especially if you’ve watched a parent or loved one experience cognitive decline.

But family history is not the same as destiny.

Genetics, including the APOE4 gene, can influence your risk for Alzheimer’s disease, but they are only one part of a much bigger picture. Sleep, blood sugar and metabolic health, cardiovascular health, inflammation, exercise, nutrition, and other factors may all play a role in how our brains age.

And that’s why I believe we need to start talking about brain health before significant memory problems begin.

In my latest article, I discuss:

🧠 What APOE4 actually means
🧬 Whether you should consider genetic testing
❤️ The connection between heart, metabolic, and brain health
🏃‍♀️ Lifestyle factors that may help support cognitive health
🔬 Newer biomarkers such as p-tau217
⏰ Why taking a proactive approach earlier may matter

If Alzheimer’s runs in your family, you don’t have to simply wait and wonder what the future holds.

The goal isn’t to create fear. It’s to better understand your individual risk factors and what you can do today to support your brain for the years ahead.

Read the full article

Does Alzheimer's run in your family? Learn how APOE4, genetics, lifestyle, and early testing may influence your risk and discover proactive strategies to support long-term brain health.

05/21/2026

Brain fog can be frustrating, confusing, and sometimes even a little concerning.

Maybe you feel mentally exhausted by the afternoon. Struggle to focus during conversations. Forget names or why you walked into a room. Or simply feel like your memory and mental clarity are not as sharp as they used to be.

The important thing to remember is that brain fog does not always mean something serious is wrong. Stress, poor sleep, hormones, nutrition, inflammation, and many other everyday factors can all play a role. But when these symptoms become persistent or start interfering with daily life, it is worth paying attention to and exploring further.

In my latest article, I discuss what brain fog really is, some of the lesser known factors that may contribute to it, and why these symptoms deserve attention.

At Integrative Medicine of Arizona, my team and I use advanced testing and personalized programs to help patients explore potential factors connected to memory concerns, cognitive changes, and overall brain health. More importantly, there are often proactive steps and supportive strategies that may help improve how you feel and function.

If you or someone you love has been struggling with brain fog, forgetfulness, or changes in focus and mental clarity, I encourage you to read this article.

Read the full article below.

What does brain fog feel like, and what causes it? Learn how stress, hormones, sleep, inflammation, blood sugar, and other factors may affect cognitive health.

04/20/2026

The brain is an energy organ.

When cellular energy production declines, cognition often follows.

I break down the emerging science behind light-based brain support and what we currently know about mitochondrial function and cognitive resilience.

If you’re thinking proactively about brain health, this is worth a read.

When we talk about brain health, we often focus on things like neurotransmitters, plaques, or changes seen on imaging. But underneath all of that is

04/14/2026

We are so proud to share that Dr. Cheri Dersam has been named a 2026 Top Doctor by Phoenix Magazine in Integrative Medicine.

This recognition reflects not only her dedication to her patients, but also the incredible team that supports her in delivering thoughtful, personalized care every day.

02/10/2026

Creatine is often thought of as a muscle supplement, but its role in the body goes much deeper than that.

In my latest article, I take a closer look at creatine and brain health, including how it supports cellular energy and why that matters for cognitive function as we age or experience stress. 💪🏼 🧠

When most people hear the word creatine, they immediately think of athletes, weightlifting, or muscle building. It is one of those supplements that has

11/20/2025

Memory changes can feel overwhelming, but there are real, science-based strategies that can make a difference.
Whether you’re noticing early signs in yourself or a loved one, or you simply want to stay ahead of future cognitive changes, Dr. Cheri Dersam and Wanda bring specialized training in the Bredesen ReCODE and PreCODE Protocols to help guide you.

This article breaks down what you can do today to protect your brain

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Or struggled to recall a name that seemed to be on the tip of your tongue? For most of

11/07/2025

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, or if it runs in your family and you’re concerned about your bone health, this event is for you.

Join OsteoStrong McCormick Ranch for a free community bone health event on November 17th in Scottsdale.

Learn how to strengthen your bones naturally, prevent fractures, and maintain independence for life.

Dr. Cheri Dersam and Physician Assistant Wanda Ichiriu from Integrative Medicine of Arizona will also be there to share how an integrative, whole-body approach can support stronger bones and lasting wellness.

Wanda has been following the OsteoStrong program herself and has already seen impressive gains in bone strength and mobility. Come hear her story and see how this approach can make a difference for you.

Reserve your spot today: https://experience.osteostrong.me/bone-health-event-mccormickranch

11/07/2025

When Wanda Ichiriu, PA-C, IFMCP, learned she had osteoporosis, she decided to approach it differently. By combining advanced bone-strengthening sessions at OsteoStrong with the integrative care model at Integrative Medicine of Arizona, she began seeing results in just weeks.

Her journey shows what’s possible when you treat bone health from the inside out. Read and watch her story below.

When I first learned I had bone loss, I never imagined how much it would affect not just my bones, but my whole body. Like many women, I assumed

10/29/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a good reminder that prevention starts long before diagnosis. The choices we make every day, including what we eat, how we manage stress, and the toxins we are exposed to, all play a role in our long-term health and cancer risk.

In this article, Dr. Cheri Dersam shares practical, evidence-based ways to support your body’s natural defenses and create an internal environment where cancer is less likely to develop.

Every October, the world dons a shade of pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds.

10/16/2025

Are EMFs affecting your health?

From cell phones and Wi-Fi to smart meters and Bluetooth devices, we are surrounded by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) every day. While many exposures are considered low risk, new research suggests it may be worth taking a closer look, especially if you are dealing with fatigue, sleep issues, or unexplained health concerns.

In this new article, Dr. Cheri Dersam explores what EMFs are, what the science is saying, and practical ways to reduce exposure without fear or major lifestyle changes.

As our daily lives become more dependent on technology, questions about the long-term effects of constant exposure to electronic devices are becoming more