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Author: Carole Holzhaeuer

C&C Autorin aus Magdeburg Carole Holzhäuer ist Apothekerin und Epigenetik-Coach – bekannt als „die Longevity-Apothekerin“. Sie verbindet modernes Wissen aus Pharmazie, Epigenetik und individueller Mikronährstoffberatung zu einem ganzheitlichen Ansatz für Gesundheit und gesundes Altern. Mit großer Leidenschaft erforscht sie, welche Mikronährstoffe, Präparate und Lebensumstände Einfluss auf Vitalität und Zellgesundheit haben. In ihrer Apotheke bietet sie u. a. individuelle Analysen zur personalisierten Beratung an, um Therapien individuell auf den Stoffwechsel abzustimmen.

Why Antidepressants Don’t Work The Same Way For Everyone

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Anyone who has ever seen how differently people react to antidepressants knows this: what helps one person may have little effect on another or trigger severe side effects. Some report a noticeable stabilization, while others experience nausea, sleep problems, inner restlessness, or the feeling of being “out of sync.” This is often accompanied by a long period of trial and error: dose adjustments, switching medications, hope, waiting, and renewed disappointment. “Longevity” pharmacist Carole Holzhäuer explains why treatments often become a test of patience. Antidepressants do not work the same way for everyone. For a long time, this variability was considered an inevitable part of psychiatric treatment. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that many of these experiences are due not only to the complexity of mental illness, but also to a very specific biological factor—the individual way in which the body processes medications. Why the same medication doesn’t work the same way for everyone Antidepressants do not work in a vacuum. They must be absorbed, metabolized, and broken down by the body. This is precisely where individual biology comes into play. Two people can take the same medication at the same dosage and still develop very different levels of the active ingredient in their blood. The result: While one person experiences a good therapeutic effect, in the other the active ingredient either disappears too quickly or remains active in high concentrations in the body for too long. These differences often have to do with enzymes involved in the breakdown of medications in the liver. The enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 are particularly important here. They belong to the so-called cytochrome P450 family and play a central role in the metabolism of many antidepressants. Metabolism plays a role The activity of these enzymes is partly determined by genetics. This means that not everyone breaks down medications at the same rate. Some people metabolize certain active ingredients more slowly, while others do so much more quickly. This is precisely what can explain why an antidepressant causes side effects in one person even at a low dose, while another person feels little improvement despite taking the standard dose. People who break down an active ingredient slowly may have higher levels of the active ingredient in their blood. This can increase the likelihood of unwanted effects—such as fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbances, or sexual dysfunction. Conversely, very rapid metabolism can mean that the active ingredient is not available in sufficient concentration for long enough to produce the desired effect.… weiterlesen

Weight Loss with GLP-1: Why Muscle Loss Is the Underestimated Side Effect


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There is often a great sense of relief when the number on the scale finally goes down. GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide, better known as weight-loss injections, have transformed weight loss for many people: reduced appetite, faster results, and a new sense of control. But behind the visible weight loss lies a question that is often overlooked in public discourse: What exactly is the body losing? “Longevity pharmacist”Carole Holzhäuer explains this in this report. GLP-1 therapies reduce not only fat mass but also lean body mass—including, among other things, muscle mass. Studies clearly demonstrate this. While the extent of this reduction varies depending on the study and context, it is clinically significant. At the same time, recent reviews emphasize that the true measure of treatment success should not be weight loss alone, but rather changes in body composition and the maintenance of physical function. Losing weight doesn’t automatically mean better health Weight loss is often equated with good health. But the body doesn’t distinguish between “good” and “bad” weight loss. If muscle mass is lost along with body weight, the consequences often don’t become apparent until later. Our muscle tissue isn’t just important for strength and stability. It’s also highly metabolically active and influences basal metabolic rate, blood sugar metabolism, and overall resilience. This is precisely why muscle loss is more than just a cosmetic issue. Those who lose muscle mass burn less energy at rest. This can contribute to weight loss stalling later on or to a plateau setting in more quickly after the initial phase of success. At the same time, physical performance often declines—something that many people initially do not associate with the treatment. What GLP-1 does in the body GLP-1 medications primarily work by reducing food intake: appetite decreases, gastric emptying slows down, and many people eat significantly less than before. This effectively supports weight loss. At the same time, however, this also creates a risk: if protein intake is too low over an extended period and there is no targeted stimulus for muscle maintenance, the body does not rely solely on fat reserves. More recent studies differentiate this more clearly than in the past. Some data show that fat mass decreases significantly more than lean mass under GLP-1 therapies and that overall body composition can actually improve. At the same time, the loss of lean mass remains a reality. It is precisely this aspect that deserves more attention, especially with long-term use or in people who already have limited muscle reserves.… weiterlesen

Fatigue Even Though You’ve Slept? What Our Metabolism Has To Do With It


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We live in a time when fatigue has almost become a way of life. Many people function, get their tasks done, are available, organized, and present to the outside world, yet still feel empty inside. Exhaustion is often quickly explained away: too little sleep, too much stress, too little self-care. That may sometimes be true. But by no means always. Carole Holzhäuer, known as “the Longevity Pharmacist,” explains what else might be behind it. Fatigue isn’t just an emotional or organizational issue. It’s often a sign that something in the body is out of balance. It’s not a lack of willpower, but a lack of energy—in the literal, biochemical sense. When exhaustion persists despite sleep Fatigue becomes particularly frustrating when rest fails to alleviate it. Many people get enough sleep, perhaps even pay close attention to their daily routines, yet still wake up feeling as though they’ve barely recharged. They get through the day, but more in a state of merely functioning than with genuine energy. This is exactly where a different perspective is needed. Because exhaustion doesn’t originate solely in the mind, but also in the cells. The body must constantly produce energy to be able to think, regulate, repair, and react. If this energy production no longer runs smoothly, it often first manifests as fatigue, concentration problems, or the feeling of no longer being able to cope internally. Energy is not a feeling, but a process In everyday life, we’re quick to say we “have no energy.” From a biological perspective, this is surprisingly accurate. Energy in the body is not an abstract sensation, but the result of highly complex metabolic processes. Mitochondria play a central role in this—small cellular organelles that use nutrients and oxygen to provide the energy the body needs. When these processes are disrupted, the effects aren’t always immediately dramatic. Often, it starts gradually: you feel less resilient, take longer to recover, and find yourself craving coffee, sugar, or solitude more frequently. Many people even get used to this state and eventually consider it normal. But chronic exhaustion isn’t a personality trait. It’s often a sign that your metabolism needs support. The hidden causes behind low energy Not all fatigue stems from the same source. However, there are certain biochemical factors that consistently stand out. These include low iron levels, deficiencies in B vitamins or magnesium, and silent inflammatory processes that place a constant strain on the body.… weiterlesen