September 2026 Newsletter | Fall Wellness, Immune Support, Mental Health & Integrative Medicine

🍂 🍁 Happy Fall, Alaska! 🍁🍂

As summer transitions into fall, many Alaskans begin noticing shorter days, cooler temperatures, and changes in energy, sleep, and mood. With the changing seasons often comes an increase in colds, respiratory viruses, seasonal allergies, and symptoms related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

At Vitae Integrative Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, we believe prevention is one of the most powerful tools for maintaining health. September is an excellent time to focus on immune support, mental wellness, healthy routines, and proactive healthcare before the busy fall and winter seasons arrive.

Take advantage of these beautiful Alaska autumn days while they're here and make your health a priority.

Preparing for Alaska's Seasonal Transition

The Fall Equinox is September 22, and daylight hours are already decreasing across Alaska.

For many people, reduced sunlight can contribute to changes in mood, energy levels, sleep quality, and overall well-being. If you use a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) light, now is the ideal time to begin incorporating it into your daily routine rather than waiting until winter arrives. We also offer them for sale at our clinic, so feel free to stop by and get one today!

Regular morning light exposure may help support:

• Healthy circadian rhythm

• Improved energy and focus

• Better sleep quality

• Seasonal mood support

• Overall mental wellness

Another simple but effective strategy for maintaining health during Alaska's darker months is to spend time outdoors every day.

Whether it's a walk, hike, or simply enjoying fresh air during daylight hours, outdoor activity supports physical health, mental health, stress management, and overall wellness.

September Immune Support: Preparing for Cold, Flu & COVID-19 Season

As children return to school and families resume busy schedules, September marks the beginning of cold, flu, and respiratory virus season.

Our providers are already seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, making this the perfect time to strengthen your immune health and stock your home wellness cabinet.

Featured Supplement of the Month: Viracon

This month's featured immune-support supplement is Viracon, one of our favorite tools for supporting the body's natural defenses during cold and flu season.

Viracon is a great addition to your fall wellness routine and can help you prepare for increased exposure to seasonal illnesses, travel, and colder weather.

Fall Wellness Favorites

Xylitol Nasal Spray for Nasal and Sinus Support

One of our favorite seasonal wellness products is xylitol nasal spray, which helps cleanse and moisturize nasal passages while supporting the body's natural respiratory defenses.

Benefits may include:

• Supporting nasal and sinus health

• Moisturizing dry nasal passages

• Helping remove mucus, allergens, and irritants

• Supporting a healthy nasal environment

• Promoting respiratory wellness during cold and flu season

Xylitol nasal spray can be especially helpful during:

• Air travel

• Dry Alaska weather

• Seasonal allergies

• Cold and respiratory virus season

Unlike medicated decongestant sprays, saline and xylitol nasal sprays can generally be used regularly without concerns about rebound congestion.

Elderberry Syrup or Lozenges for Immune Support

Elderberry remains one of the most popular natural immune-support supplements during the fall and winter months.

Naturally rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins, elderberry supports the body's antioxidant defenses and healthy inflammatory response. Some studies suggest elderberry may help reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms when taken early during illness.

✨Spravato® (Esketamine) Treatment Available in Anchorage

Vitae is currently accepting new patient intakes for Spravato® (esketamine) treatment in Anchorage, Alaska.

Spravato is an FDA-approved treatment option for certain adults experiencing treatment-resistant depression and is administered in a certified medical setting with appropriate monitoring and follow-up care.

If you have struggled with depression despite previous medications or treatments, our team can help determine whether Spravato may be an appropriate option for you.

Contact our office to learn more about:

• Spravato eligibility

• Depression treatment options

• Insurance verification and authorization

• The intake and evaluation process

  
  

Stephanie Rogers, LPC Is Now In-Network with Blue Cross Blue Shield

We are excited to announce that Stephanie Rogers, LPC, is now in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and currently accepting new patients!

If you are seeking mental health counseling, therapy, anxiety treatment, depression support, or behavioral health

services in Anchorage, now is a wonderful opportunity to establish care.

As fall schedules become busier, we encourage patients to schedule appointments early.

Sunny McKellar, LPC Is Seeing Patients In Person

Sunny McKellar, LPC will be seeing patients in person at Vitae for the next two months in addition to her telehealth appointments.

In-person behavioral health appointments are expected to fill quickly, so please contact our office soon to reserve your preferred appointment time.

🩺 Fall Appointments Are Filling Quickly

Historically, appointment demand increases significantly as we move toward the end of the year.

Whether you're due for:

• Functional medicine care

• Integrative medicine consultations

• Behavioral health services

• Counseling appointments

• Medication management

• Lab review visits

• Preventive healthcare

We encourage you to schedule now rather than waiting until November or December.

Planning ahead helps ensure access to your preferred provider and appointment times.

September Clinic Closures

Labor Day Closure

Monday, September 7

Vitae Integrative Medical Center will be closed in observance of Labor Day.

Vitae Annual Team Retreat

Friday, September 25

Our entire team will be away from the clinic for our annual retreat.

Each year we dedicate this time to professional development, team connection, and continuous improvement so we can continue providing exceptional, patient-centered healthcare to our Anchorage community.

Please plan medication refills and time-sensitive healthcare needs accordingly.

🌿 Thank You for Choosing Vitae Integrative Medical Center 🌿

As we enter another beautiful Alaska fall, we want to thank you for trusting Vitae with your healthcare.

Our mission remains to provide personalized, evidence-informed functional medicine, integrative healthcare, mental health services, and wellness support across Alaska.

We are honored to partner with you on your health journey and look forward to serving you throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Your Partners in Healing,

The Vitae Team