Year-end Reflections: What Stood Out in 2025 & What I’m Looking Forward to in 2026
As the year draws to a close, I hope you are enjoying a healthy, restorative holiday season. My husband and I have been savoring time at home with our sons while they’re back from college - good food, lively conversation, and family card games that are far more competitive than they probably need to be. 🤣
This time of year naturally invites reflection. I find it valuable to pause and look back - both personally and professionally - at what stood out, what evolved, and what I want to carry forward.
Professional Highlights
One of the most meaningful milestones of 2025 was earning my official certification as a Certified Menopause Specialist through The Menopause Society. After nearly 25 years in clinical practice, I still find learning both energizing and motivating. Advancing my knowledge directly translates into better, more nuanced care for my patients - and that remains the core of why I do this work!
Menopause is finally having a long-overdue moment - and I look forward to expanding upon the comprehensive menopause care I offer my patients in 2026.
Nutritional Supplement Highlights
The #1 most popular supplement with my patients in 2025 was Magnesium Complex.
Magnesium remains one of the most common deficiencies I see clinically. It plays a role in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, influencing sleep quality, muscle relaxation, insulin sensitivity, mood regulation, and hormone balance. The nuance lies in choosing the right form for the right goal - whether that’s sleep, bowel regularity, migraine prevention, or metabolic support.
👉🏼 Learn more about which magnesium supplement is right for you.
This past year, I received more questions about creatine than any other supplement.
Creatine is one of the most well-studied, safe, and clinically useful supplements available.
Creatine is often misunderstood as a “bodybuilding supplement,” but the data tell a much broader story - especially for women. Creatine supports muscle strength and lean mass, enhances exercise performance, and may play a role in cognitive health and brain energy metabolism.
👉🏼 Learn more about five reasons women should consider supplementing with creatine.
Podcast, Social Media, and Learning Highlights
We live in an era of unprecedented access to information - and just as much misinformation. In response, I’ve doubled down on my commitment to sharing content that is research-informed, clinically grounded, and transparent about what we know (and what we don’t). Expect even more of this in 2026!
Standout Recommendation from 2025
The Mel Robbins Podcast – Episode #275
The Body Reset: How Women Should Eat & Exercise for Health, Fat Loss, & Energy with Dr. Stacy Sims
For far too long, nutrition and fitness guidelines have been based almost entirely on male physiology. Women who follow these strategies are often left confused when they don’t work - or worse, when they backfire. In this episode, Dr. Stacy Sims clearly explains how women should be eating, training, and recovering in ways that align with female hormones, metabolism, and physiology.
Instagram Recommendation
Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, MD (@jocelyn_wittstein_md) – Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist
Dr. Wittstein consistently shares evidence-based insights on bone health, injury prevention, and musculoskeletal longevity. She provides practical, research-backed exercise advice that you can trust.
Jessica Knurick, PhD, RDN (@drjessicaknurick) – Nutrition Scientist & Public Health Expert
Dr. Knurick provides clear, evidence-based nutrition and public health information. She is refreshingly direct and frequently calls out misinformation, fear-based messaging, and nutrition myths that are not supported by data. In my opinion, she is an increasingly important voice in today’s crowded wellness space.
Books That Shaped Conversations in 2025
The book I recommended most often to patients this year was “Outlive” by Dr. Peter Attia. Its focus on proactive, prevention-oriented medicine and long-term healthspan aligns closely with how I approach care.
On a personal note, I was deeply moved by “The Tell: A Memoir” by Amy Griffin. It’s a powerful - and at times difficult - read that underscores the profound connections between the mind and body, trauma and physiology. Not light holiday reading, but meaningful nonetheless.
Expanding Preventive and Early Detection Tools
In 2025, I also incorporated more advanced screening and risk assessment tools into my practice, reflecting a continued shift toward proactive medicine:
Galleri® Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test
More frequent use of breast cancer risk assessment tools (learn more)
Earlier and more thoughtful use of bone density screening, particularly for women with risk factors
These tools are not about fear-driven testing - they’re about informed decision-making and earlier intervention when it matters most.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As I look forward, my focus remains clear: continuing to move away from reactive, symptom-chasing medicine and further into a model that prioritizes prevention, resilience, and long-term health.
That means deeper education, more thoughtful testing, and care that respects the complexity of the human body - especially during times of life transitions.
Thank you for being part of this community. I am truly grateful for the trust you place in me, and I look forward to continuing this work together in 2026.
Yours in Health 💛
Carin Nielsen, MD