What We Treat
Services
Thorough naturopathic care for the conditions that affect your daily life. Every appointment starts with listening.
Hormones & Menopause
PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, menopause, thyroid, Hashimoto's, and burnout.
Jump to section →PCOS
Insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormone patterns - without restrictive diets.
Jump to section →Fertility & Preconception
Preconception support for natural cycles, IUI, and IVF.
Jump to section →Digestive Health
IBS, SIBO, reflux, bloating, and food sensitivities.
Jump to section →Anxiety, Depression & ADHD
Evidence-informed support for mental health.
Jump to section →Children's Health
Gentle care for eczema, allergies, sleep, and more.
Jump to section →My Approach
Weight-neutral, HAES-aligned, Intuitive Eating care.
Jump to section →Hormones & Menopause
Hormones Don't Have to Run Your Life
Yes. A naturopathic doctor can help identify and address what's driving your hormone symptoms, whether that's thyroid dysfunction, perimenopause, stress, or something that hasn't been tested yet. Dr. Lauren Russell uses thorough lab work, nutrition support, and targeted supplements to get to the bottom of what's going on, not just mask the symptoms.
Or call (306) 979-8753
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Conditions Lauren Works With
- PCOSInsulin resistance, irregular cycles, acne, hair changes. Learn more about PCOS care
- PMS and PMDDMood swings, cramping, bloating, irritability that goes beyond "normal."
- EndometriosisPain management, inflammation, and hormonal support.
- Perimenopause and MenopauseHot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, brain fog, mood shifts, bone density.
- Thyroid ConditionsHypothyroidism, Hashimoto's disease. Lauren was diagnosed with Hashimoto's herself. She gets it.
- Burnout and Chronic StressNervous system support for stress, energy, and recovery.
- Irregular or Missing PeriodsFiguring out why, not just putting you on the pill.
What's Actually Going On
Hormones affect everything. Energy, mood, sleep, periods, skin, digestion, weight changes, sex drive. When something's off, you feel it. But "your hormones are fine" after a basic blood panel doesn't mean they actually are. It usually means nobody ran the right tests.
Lauren digs deeper. She orders comprehensive lab work through LifeLabs: full thyroid panels, iron, vitamin D, and reproductive hormones. She looks at the full picture, not just the standard screening. She looks at your results through a functional lens, not just checking if you fall within a "normal" range, but whether your levels are optimal for you.
How Lauren Approaches Hormone Care
Every plan starts with lab work. The right lab work. From there, it's a combination of nutrition support, targeted supplements, and lifestyle changes that actually fit your life. Lauren doesn't hand you a restrictive meal plan or tell you to cut out entire food groups. She works with you to find what's sustainable.
If acupuncture makes sense for your situation, it's available. Same with craniosacral therapy for stress and nervous system support.
Common Questions
How do I know if my hormones are off?
Fatigue that sleep doesn't fix, irregular or painful periods, mood changes you can't explain, hair loss, skin changes, weight shifts with no clear cause, brain fog. These are all worth investigating. Lauren will run the labs to find out what's actually happening.
Will I need to go on a special diet?
No. Lauren doesn't prescribe restrictive diets. Nutrition support means working with food in a way that supports your hormones without turning eating into a stressful project.
Can I see Lauren virtually for hormone support?
Yes. All appointments are available virtually for Saskatchewan residents.
PCOS
PCOS Is Complicated. Your Care Shouldn't Be.
Yes. Naturopathic medicine addresses PCOS by looking at insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal patterns, and gut health together, instead of managing one symptom at a time. Dr. Lauren Russell creates individualized plans using lab work, nutrition, supplements, movement, and acupuncture, without restrictive dieting or weight-focused goals.
Or call (306) 979-8753
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Conditions Lauren Works With
- Nutrition supportNot a restrictive PCOS diet pulled from Instagram. Real, sustainable changes that support insulin sensitivity and hormone balance without making you afraid of food.
- Targeted supplementsSpecific to what your labs show, not a generic "PCOS stack."
- MovementAnd here's the thing: you don't need to be afraid of HIIT. Lauren is going to tell you that your cortisol is supposed to rise when you exercise. That's what it does. The wellness internet has made people terrified of their own stress response, and it's not helpful.
- AcupunctureFor cycle regulation, stress reduction, and hormone support.
The Problem with How PCOS Gets Treated
Here's what usually happens: you get diagnosed, you get told to lose weight, and you get put on the pill. Maybe metformin. That's it.
Nobody explains what's actually driving your PCOS. Nobody runs comprehensive labs. Nobody talks about insulin resistance or inflammation in a way that's useful. And the "just lose weight" advice? It ignores the fact that PCOS itself makes weight management harder, and that your health isn't defined by your size in the first place.
What Lauren Actually Does
It starts with the right lab work. Lauren runs a full picture: reproductive hormones, fasting insulin, HbA1c, thyroid panel, vitamin D, iron, and whatever else your specific situation calls for. When a pelvic ultrasound is needed, she can refer out for one.
From there, the plan is built around what YOUR labs and symptoms are telling her.
A Different Approach to PCOS Nutrition
Lauren works within a weight-neutral, Intuitive Eating framework. Your plan is about nourishing your body and addressing what's actually going on, not following a restrictive protocol that leaves you stressed about every meal.
Common Questions
Do I need to go gluten-free or dairy-free for PCOS?
Not necessarily. Lauren doesn't believe foods are inherently "inflammatory" or that everyone needs to eliminate entire food groups. If there's a clinical reason to explore a specific sensitivity, she'll talk to you about it. But blanket elimination diets aren't the starting point.
How long does it take to see results with naturopathic PCOS treatment?
It depends on your situation. Some people notice energy and mood shifts within weeks. Cycle changes often take 3 to 6 months because hormones move slowly. Lauren checks in regularly and adjusts the plan as things shift.
Can you help with PCOS and fertility?
Absolutely. PCOS is one of the most common causes of fertility challenges, and addressing the underlying drivers like insulin, inflammation, and ovulation patterns is often the first step. Lauren also offers naturopathic fertility support. See Fertility
Fertility & Preconception
Fertility Support That Looks at the Full Picture
Yes. A naturopathic doctor can help identify what might be preventing conception and optimize conditions for conception. Dr. Lauren Russell offers comprehensive fertility evaluation including lab work, nutrition support, supplements, and cycle tracking for natural cycles, IUI, and IVF.
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Conditions Lauren Works With
- Comprehensive evaluationFiguring out what might be going on underneath. PCOS? Thyroid dysfunction? Nutrient deficiencies? Cycle irregularities? You can't fix what you haven't identified.
- Preconception optimizationSupporting egg and sperm health through nutrition, targeted supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. This isn't about perfection. It's about giving your body the best foundation.
- Cycle trackingUnderstanding your cycle patterns and timing.
- Fertility-focused acupunctureLauren offers acupuncture support for unmedicated cycles, medicated cycles, IUI, and IVF. This works alongside whatever your fertility clinic is doing, not against it.
- Nutrition supportWithout the diet culture. No fertility "cleanses," no lists of forbidden foods. Sustainable nourishment that supports reproductive health.
What Most Fertility Support Misses
Fertility is a team sport, and your team might look like a partner, a donor, or just you. Eggs and sperm both take about 3 months to develop, so the groundwork starts long before the positive test.
Lauren starts with the full picture. That means comprehensive lab work for the person trying to conceive, plus their partner or known donor where it's relevant, looking at everything from thyroid and iron to vitamin D and reproductive hormones. She runs preconception panels through LifeLabs and builds a plan based on what your labs actually show.
Working Alongside Fertility Clinics
Lauren works with patients at every stage, from "we just started trying" to "we're in our third IVF cycle." Her role is complementary. She's not replacing your OB/GYN or fertility clinic. She's filling in the gaps they don't have time for: the nutrition, the stress, the underlying drivers, the 75-minute appointment where someone actually listens.
Common Questions
When should I see a naturopath for fertility?
Ideally, 3 to 6 months before you want to start trying. Egg and sperm health are influenced by what's happening in your body months before conception. But if you're already trying, or already in treatment, it's not too late. Lauren meets you where you are.
Can you help if I'm doing IVF or IUI?
Yes. Lauren provides fertility-focused acupuncture and naturopathic support that complements assisted reproductive treatment. She works alongside your fertility clinic.
Do you work with partners or donors too?
Yes. Fertility can involve more than one person, and Lauren's evaluation and recommendations can include a partner or known donor where that's relevant.
Digestive Health
Gut Problems Deserve Better Than "Avoid Everything"
Yes. Naturopathic medicine investigates the underlying drivers of digestive issues, including bacterial imbalances, food triggers, inflammation, and motility problems, rather than handing you a list of foods to avoid forever. Dr. Lauren Russell uses targeted testing, nutrition support, and targeted protocols to get your gut working properly.
Or call (306) 979-8753
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Conditions Lauren Works With
- IBSWhen you've been told "it's just IBS" without anyone explaining what's causing it.
- SIBOSmall intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Breath testing and targeted treatment protocols.
- IBDCrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis support alongside your gastroenterologist.
- Acid Reflux and GERDFiguring out what's actually driving it rather than staying on PPIs indefinitely.
- H. pylori and GastritisTesting and targeted treatment for bacterial infection and stomach lining inflammation.
- Bloating, Gas, Constipation, and DiarrheaThe everyday stuff that isn't "everyday" when it's happening to you.
- Food Intolerances and SensitivitiesLauren offers food sensitivity testing, though she'll be honest: it's available if you really want to explore it, but it's not where she starts. Clinical investigation and symptom tracking usually tell a clearer story.
The "Just Avoid It" Problem
If you've been dealing with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or reflux for months or years, you've probably already tried cutting things out. Gluten. Dairy. FODMAPs. Eventually your safe food list gets so small that eating becomes stressful, which, ironically, makes digestion worse.
Lauren doesn't start with elimination. She starts with investigation. What's actually going on in your gut? Is it SIBO? A motility issue? H. pylori? An inflammatory bowel condition that hasn't been properly identified? You need answers before you need a food list.
The Approach
Lab testing (stool testing, SIBO breath test, standard blood work) to figure out what's going on. From there, a plan that includes targeted treatment for whatever shows up, nutrition support that doesn't turn eating into a miserable experience, and supplements where the evidence supports them.
Lauren's goal is to get your gut working well enough that you can eat normally. Not to create a permanent list of foods you're afraid of.
Common Questions
Do I need to do an elimination diet?
Not necessarily, and definitely not as the first step. Lauren prefers to test and investigate before restricting. If a specific food trial makes clinical sense down the road, she'll walk you through it. But the point is to expand what you can eat, not shrink it.
What's the difference between food sensitivity testing and what my doctor does?
Your GP typically tests for food allergies (immune reactions) and celiac disease. Food sensitivity testing looks at different immune markers and can identify intolerances that don't show up on standard allergy panels. Lauren offers this but uses it selectively.
Can I see you virtually for digestive issues?
Yes. All appointments are available virtually for Saskatchewan residents. Lab requisitions can be sent to your local LifeLabs.
Anxiety, Depression & ADHD
Your Brain Is Part of Your Body
Yes. Naturopathic medicine supports mental health by looking at what's happening in the body that affects the brain. Nutrient deficiencies, thyroid function, hormone imbalances, gut health, and stress physiology all play a role. Dr. Lauren Russell provides evidence-informed naturopathic support for anxiety, depression, and ADHD alongside your existing care team.
Or call (306) 979-8753
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What Lauren Works With
- AnxietyGeneralized anxiety, situational anxiety, panic symptoms, and the physical side of anxiety (racing heart, tight chest, insomnia, digestive issues)
- DepressionLow mood, fatigue, motivation loss, and the overlap between depression and conditions like hypothyroidism or nutrient deficiency
- ADHDFocus, executive function, impulsivity, and the nutritional and physiological factors that affect these. Lauren works with adults and kids.
- BurnoutWhen your nervous system has been running on overdrive and your body is showing it
Why Mental Health Belongs in Naturopathic Care
Your brain doesn't operate independently from the rest of your body. Iron deficiency affects focus. Thyroid dysfunction affects mood. Hormone shifts affect anxiety. Gut health affects everything. And chronic stress rewires how your nervous system responds to the world.
Lauren doesn't replace your psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor. She fills in the pieces they don't typically look at: the lab work, the nutrition, the supplements that have actual evidence behind them, the physical foundations of mental health.
The Approach
It starts with lab work, ruling out or identifying physical contributors. Thyroid function, iron, B12, and vitamin D. You might be surprised how often "anxiety" or "brain fog" has a treatable physical component that nobody's checked.
From there, Lauren builds a plan that might include targeted supplements (the ones with evidence, not a cabinet full of bottles), nutrition support, and strategies for nervous system regulation. If acupuncture or craniosacral therapy makes sense for your situation, those are available too.
This isn't an alternative to therapy or medication. It's the layer underneath, making sure your body has what it needs so your brain can do its job.
Common Questions
Can a naturopath prescribe medication for anxiety or ADHD?
Naturopathic doctors in Saskatchewan do not have prescriptive authority to prescribe medications. Lauren's focus is on foundational support (nutrients, supplements, and lifestyle), and she works collaboratively with your GP or psychiatrist when medication is part of the picture.
Is this instead of therapy?
No. Lauren strongly supports therapy, counselling, and psychiatric care. Naturopathic support is complementary. It addresses the physical side of mental health that talk therapy and medication don't always cover.
Do you work with kids who have ADHD?
Yes. Pediatric appointments are 45 minutes ($195) and cover nutritional status, environmental factors, and gentle, well-researched support. Lauren works with families to find an approach that's realistic and sustainable.
Children's Health
Gentle, Thorough Care for Kids
Yes, if your child is dealing with recurring health issues that haven't been fully resolved. A naturopathic doctor can investigate underlying causes of eczema, allergies, digestive problems, sleep issues, and more, using gentle, well-researched approaches. Dr. Lauren Russell sees children for 45-minute initial appointments designed around what's realistic for families.
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What Lauren Treats in Kids
- Eczema, hives, and rashesLooking beyond topical treatments to what's driving the skin reaction
- Allergies and asthmaEnvironmental and seasonal, immune support
- Digestive issuesConstipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and picky eating that might be masking a sensitivity
- Sleep problemsDifficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep
- Anxiety and stressAge-appropriate support for kids dealing with more worry than they should have to
- Frequent colds and infectionsImmune support that goes beyond "take more vitamin C"
- Nutritional deficienciesIron, vitamin D, and other gaps that affect energy, growth, and focus
- ADHD and attention difficultiesGentle naturopathic support alongside your child's care team
When to See a Naturopath for Your Kid
Your child has eczema that won't quit. They're constipated all the time. They pick up every cold that goes around. Their sleep is a mess. They're anxious in ways that feel bigger than what's "normal" for their age. You've been to the pediatrician, maybe tried a cream or a medication, and you're still stuck.
Lauren sees kids for the same reason she sees adults: to find out what's actually going on underneath the symptoms and build a plan that addresses it.
How Pediatric Appointments Work
Pediatric initial appointments are 45 minutes. Shorter than adult initials because kids have limits, but long enough to get a thorough picture. Lauren talks with you (the parent or caregiver) about your child's history, symptoms, diet, and daily life. Depending on the situation, lab work through LifeLabs may be part of the plan.
Follow-up appointments are available in 15 or 30-minute blocks. The goal is always a plan that's realistic for your family, not a supplement list so long it turns every morning into a battle.
Common Questions
What age do you start seeing kids?
Lauren works with children of all ages, from introducing solids through the teen years.
Will my child need blood work?
It depends on the situation. Lauren orders lab work through LifeLabs when it's clinically relevant, but she's mindful of what's appropriate and manageable for each child.
Is a pediatric naturopath covered by insurance?
Yes. Lauren's pediatric visits are billed as naturopathic medicine and covered by most extended health plans. Direct billing is available.
My Approach
Healthcare Without Weight Stigma
Weight-neutral healthcare means your body size is not treated as a diagnosis or a problem to solve. Dr. Lauren Russell is a HAES-aligned (Health at Every Size), certified in Intuitive Eating and a naturopathic doctor in Saskatoon who provides thoughtful, well-researched care focused on how you feel and how your body functions, not what you weigh.
Or call (306) 979-8753
What Weight-Neutral Care Looks Like
No Weigh-Ins
Your health isn't measured by a scale. If Lauren needs your weight for a clinical reason (dosing, for example), she'll explain why and ask your permission.
No Restrictive Diets
No calorie counting. No food lists. No eliminating food groups as a first-line approach. Nutrition support means working WITH food, not against it.
Real Investigation
If you come in with fatigue, Lauren investigates fatigue. Thyroid, iron, sleep, stress, hormones. She doesn't stop at "lose 20 pounds and come back."
Intuitive Eating
Lauren is certified in Intuitive Eating. She helps you rebuild your relationship with food, trust your body's signals, and let go of the diet cycle.
Size-Inclusive Care
Every person who walks through this door deserves the same quality of investigation, the same thorough lab work, the same respect, regardless of body size.
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Why This Matters
You've been to a doctor about fatigue, and they told you to lose weight. You mentioned joint pain, and they told you to lose weight. You asked about your PCOS, and they told you to lose weight. You stopped going, because what's the point?
This is weight stigma in healthcare, and it's not just frustrating. It's harmful. It delays diagnosis. It erodes trust. It keeps people from seeking care they need.
Lauren's practice exists to be different.
This Isn't a Side Offering
This lens isn't something Lauren adds on when a patient requests it. It's how she practices. Every appointment, every condition, every age group. Whether you're here for PCOS, fertility, your kid's eczema, or your own gut health, this framework is woven into the care.
Lauren tells you what the evidence says and helps you build something sustainable. No fear-based messaging about food, no guilt trips, no one-size-fits-all protocols.
Who This Is For
This page isn't just for people who identify as anti-diet or know what HAES means. It's for anyone who:
- Has avoided going to the doctor because of past experiences with weight-focused care
- Wants a healthcare provider who will actually listen and investigate instead of defaulting to "lose weight"
- Has a complicated relationship with food and doesn't want their naturopath making it worse
- Believes their health is about more than a number on a scale
- Just wants to feel good in their body without being told their body is the problem
Common Questions
Do I have to be familiar with Intuitive Eating to be a patient?
Not at all. Most patients haven't heard of it before their first visit. Lauren integrates these principles naturally into care. You don't need to read a book or identify as "anti-diet" to benefit.
What if I want to talk about weight?
Lauren won't shame you for it. Weight is a complicated topic, and she meets you where you are. What she won't do is make weight loss the goal of your treatment plan or use it as a metric for progress.
Is this approach evidence-based?
Yes. Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating are supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed research. Weight-neutral approaches have been shown to improve health outcomes, mental health, and long-term health behaviours compared to weight-focused approaches.
You Deserve Care That Sees the Whole You
Not a number on a scale. Not a list of symptoms to rush through. You. Book a free meet & greet to see if this is the right fit, or go ahead and schedule your initial appointment.
Summit Sports & Health, Riversdale, Saskatoon · Virtual appointments available across Saskatchewan