Holistic Health Clinic serving Royal Oak & Oakland County | Functional Medicine, Weight Loss & Hormones

Empowering women to thrive with functional medicine, sustainable weight management and holistic wellness.

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This is your time to thrive, and we’re here to make sure you do it with confidence, strength, and a whole lot of self-love.

Each stage of life brings new opportunities to prioritize your health and well-being. At our clinic in Royal Oak, MI, we help you take control of your health journey. Through functional medicine and sustainable weight management, we uncover the root causes of your symptoms, empowering you to reclaim your energy, vitality, and sense of self.

Brain fog, sudden weight gain, and insomnia making you feel like you’re not yourself anymore?-We get it.

You deserve to feel vibrant and energized—not stuck in a cycle of exhaustion and frustration.

You should be able to manage your weight without crash diets or spending hours in the gym.

You should be sleeping through the night, waking up refreshed, and ready to take on your day.

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It’s time to stop surviving and start thriving. Let’s make it happen. This is your time.

What if you could learn how to balance your hormones and reclaim your confidence in just a few months—without feeling overwhelmed or guessing what works?

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We’re redefining what health care means for women like you—because this isn’t about aging, or treating symptoms—we help you take holistic control of your health, your body, and your life so you can live this era fully and unapologetically.

Functional Medicine

We’re not about quick fixes. We dig deep to find the root causes of what’s holding you back, so you can finally feel balanced, energized, and in control of your health.

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Medical weight loss

Ditch the diets that don’t work. We’ll help you fuel your body in a way that feels good, works with your hormones, and fits your real life—because eating well shouldn’t feel like a struggle.

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Nutrition

Nourishing your body shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. Our personalized nutrition plans are designed to support your unique needs—balancing hormones, improving energy, and fueling your body in a way that works for your lifestyle.

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Mindfulness

Life’s chaos doesn’t have to control you. We’ll guide you in simple, doable practices to quiet the noise, manage stress, and reconnect with your calm, grounded self.

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Medication

Sometimes, your body needs a little extra support—and that’s okay. We use medication thoughtfully and as part of a bigger plan to get you feeling your best, faster and sustainably.

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It’s time to reclaim your energy,  confidence, and power, so you can thrive in this incredible chapter of your life.

How it works

01

Start your application

Take the first step toward reclaiming your energy, balance, and confidence by filling out an application here.

02

Discover your personalized program

Together, we’ll uncover the root causes of your symptoms and design a tailored plan to meet your unique needs. Our programs require a minimum 3 month commitment to ensure lasting transformation.

03

Redefine your holistic health

This is your journey to vibrant, sustainable wellness. With our support, you’ll embrace the healthiest, most empowered version of yourself—inside and out.

7 healthy recipes to add to your diet

Our free guide is your gateway to a tastier and healthier way of eating. Inside, you'll find seven handpicked recipes that not only delight your taste buds but also nourish your body.



FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC IN ROYAL OAK, MI

Board-certified functional medicine and weight management physicians, female, specialized, with over 10 years of experience.

Hi, we’re Dr. Erin Hendriks and Dr. Maricela Castillo MacKenzie—the founders of Elle MD in Royal Oak, Michigan and your partners in redefining what thriving looks like in your 40s and beyond. Together, we’re on a mission to help women feel vibrant, confident, and in control of their health.


We firmly believe that this stage of life isn’t about settling—it’s about rising. That’s why we started Elle MD: to create a space where women are heard, understood, and empowered with personalized care that addresses the root causes of their health challenges. From stubborn weight gain to hormonal chaos, we’re here to help you reclaim your energy, balance, and confidence.

When we’re not designing customized wellness plans or cheering on your progress, you’ll find Dr. Hendriks experimenting with French cooking and Dr. Castillo MacKenzie traveling with her family.

We both believe life is better with laughter and good friends.

ABOUT US

What our patients say about us...

This is your moment to rise and thrive.

We’re here to help you reclaim your health, your body, and your life—because you deserve nothing less.

Your health journey starts here.

Let’s redefine what’s possible and help you live boldly, unapologetically, and vibrantly every single day.

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On the blog

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Why The Fasting Mimicking Diet Is Worth Considering in the New Year

By Dr. Erin Hendriks • December 13, 2025
The fasting mimicking diet has gained momentum for its potential to improve metabolic health, support healthy aging, and even influence cellular regeneration. While human studies are still relatively small and short-term, the data so far is compelling. Here’s what the research says—and what it doesn’t—about this periodic 5-day, low-calorie, plant-forward diet. Metabolic & Cardiovascular Benefits One of the most well-studied areas of the fasting mimicking diet (FMD) is metabolic health. In a randomized trial of 100 healthy adults, three monthly cycles of a 5-day FMD led to: Decreased body weight Lower trunk and total body fat Reduced blood pressure Reduced IGF-1 (a hormone associated with aging and cancer risk) Participants at higher baseline risk saw even stronger improvements. A follow-up analysis of 71 participants found additional benefits: Lower BMI Reduced fasting glucose Decreased triglycerides Lower total and LDL cholesterol Reduced C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) Higher blood levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) have been linked to increased cardiometabolic disease risk. A study in healthy volunteers found that the fasting mimicking diet cut TMAO levels by about 50%, reduced IGF-1, and improved insulin sensitivity. Bottom line: Even in generally healthy adults, periodic FMD cycles appear to improve several markers of metabolic and cardiovascular health. Effects in Type 2 Diabetes Some of the most promising findings come from people with type 2 diabetes. A recent 12-month randomized controlled trial in primary care found that monthly 5-day FMD cycles: Reduced the need for glucose-lowering medications Improved HbA1c Enhanced glycemic control in over half of the participants—compared to only 8% in the control group This is early but encouraging: the fasting mimicking diet may support better glycemic control while reducing medication burden—when used under medical supervision. Autophagy & Cellular Health Another exciting area of FMD research involves cellular cleanup and repair. A pilot randomized trial found that FMD increased autophagic flux—your body’s ability to recycle damaged cellular components. Participants also showed: Lower fasting glucose Higher ketone levels Reduced HOMA-IR (a calculated score used to estimate insulin resistance) Both low- and high-protein versions of FMD triggered autophagy at a molecular level, though the low-protein version led to higher ketone production. This suggests FMD may help activate longevity-linked pathways involved in cellular renewal. Longevity & Cognitive Effects Long-term animal studies point toward broader systemic benefits. In mice, repeated FMD cycles: Extended lifespan Reduced cancer incidence Promoted hippocampal neurogenesis (hello, brain health) Improved cognitive performance Enhanced stem cell regeneration across multiple organ systems A 2024 study in aging mice showed that FMD also improved gut health, boosted beneficial species like Lactobacillus johnsonii, reduced anxiety behaviors, and supported cognitive function. While animal data doesn’t automatically translate to humans, it provides a strong scientific rationale for ongoing human trials. Body Composition & Metabolic Preservation Compared to traditional calorie restriction, FMD has some advantages: Better preservation of lean mass Less reduction in basal metabolic rate Similar weight loss results without slowing metabolism A high-protein version of FMD has also been explored, showing selective reductions in visceral fat, improvements in heart rate variability, and increased microbiome diversity. Takeaway The fasting mimicking diet is one of the most intriguing and well-researched nutrition interventions in the longevity space. Early data support benefits in metabolic health, cardiovascular markers, type 2 diabetes, cellular repair, and even cognitive performance. But like all emerging therapies, it requires more rigorous long-term study. If you’re considering FMD, especially if you have chronic medical conditions or take prescription medications, it’s essential to do so under the guidance of a clinician trained in metabolic and nutritional interventions. If you’re considering trying the fasting mimicking diet yourself, you can order the ProLon FMD kit here: ORDER: The Fasting-Mimicking Diet References: Wei M, Brandhorst S, Shelehchi M, Mirzaei H, Cheng CW, Budniak J, Groshen S, Mack WJ, Guen E, Di Biase S, Cohen P, Morgan TE, Dorff T, Hong K, Michalsen A, Laviano A, Longo VD. Fasting-mimicking diet and markers/risk factors for aging, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Sci Transl Med. 2017 Feb 15;9(377):eaai8700. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aai8700. PMID: 28202779; PMCID: PMC6816332. Videja M, Sevostjanovs E, Upmale-Engela S, Liepinsh E, Konrade I, Dambrova M. Fasting-Mimicking Diet Reduces Trimethylamine N-Oxide Levels and Improves Serum Biochemical Parameters in Healthy Volunteers. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 5;14(5):1093. doi: 10.3390/nu14051093. PMID: 35268068; PMCID: PMC8912301. Van den Burg EL, Schoonakker MP, van Peet PG, van den Akker-van Marle EM, Lamb HJ, Longo VD, Numans ME, Pijl H. Integration of a fasting-mimicking diet programme in primary care for type 2 diabetes reduces the need for medication and improves glycaemic control: a 12-month randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia. 2024 Jul;67(7):1245-1259. doi: 10.1007/s00125-024-06137-0. Epub 2024 Mar 28. PMID: 38546821; PMCID: PMC11153305. Espinoza SE, Park S, Connolly G, Qi W, Zhang N, Semwal M, Li Y, Lauzon M, Salmon AB, Hsu W, Wei M, Musi N. Effect of fasting-mimicking diet on markers of autophagy and metabolic health in human subjects. Geroscience. 2025 Dec 11. doi: 10.1007/s11357-025-02035-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41372565. Burns L, Cooper S, Sarmad S, Funke G, Di Mauro A, Gaitanos GC, Tsintzas K. Effects of fasting-mimicking diets with low and high protein content on cardiometabolic health and autophagy: A randomized, parallel group study. Clin Nutr. 2025 Sep;52:299-312. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.08.004. Epub 2025 Aug 6. PMID: 40816210. Brandhorst S, Choi IY, Wei M, Cheng CW, Sedrakyan S, Navarrete G, Dubeau L, Yap LP, Park R, Vinciguerra M, Di Biase S, Mirzaei H, Mirisola MG, Childress P, Ji L, Groshen S, Penna F, Odetti P, Perin L, Conti PS, Ikeno Y, Kennedy BK, Cohen P, Morgan TE, Dorff TB, Longo VD. A Periodic Diet that Mimics Fasting Promotes Multi-System Regeneration, Enhanced Cognitive Performance, and Healthspan. Cell Metab. 2015 Jul 7;22(1):86-99. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.012. Epub 2015 Jun 18. PMID: 26094889; PMCID: PMC4509734. Wang Q, Xu J, Luo M, Jiang Y, Gu Y, Wang Q, He J, Sun Y, Lin Y, Feng L, Chen S, Hou T. Fasting mimicking diet extends lifespan and improves intestinal and cognitive health. Food Funct. 2024 Apr 22;15(8):4503-4514. doi: 10.1039/d4fo00483c. PMID: 38567489. Sadeghian M, Hosseini SA, Zare Javid A, Ahmadi Angali K, Mashkournia A. Effect of Fasting-Mimicking Diet or Continuous Energy Restriction on Weight Loss, Body Composition, and Appetite-Regulating Hormones Among Metabolically Healthy Women with Obesity: a Randomized Controlled, Parallel Trial. Obes Surg. 2021 May;31(5):2030-2039. doi: 10.1007/s11695-020-05202-y. Epub 2021 Jan 9. PMID: 33420673. Burns L, Cooper S, Sarmad S, Funke G, Di Mauro A, Gaitanos GC, Tsintzas K. Effects of fasting-mimicking diets with low and high protein content on cardiometabolic health and autophagy: A randomized, parallel group study. Clin Nutr. 2025 Sep;52:299-312. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.08.004. Epub 2025 Aug 6. PMID: 40816210.

Weight Loss Menopause Supplements: What Actually Works According to Functional Medicine

By Erin Hendriks • October 6, 2025
The best menopause weight loss starts with hormone balance and gut health—discover functional medicine–approved supplements that truly support your body.