Podcasts about evomed

What if health plans could cover in-home chef services to improve patient outcomes? In this episode, James Maskell sits down with Renata Jenik, founder of Foodom.com, to explore how her company is pioneering a powerful new model of food as medicine—one that's already being covered by insurance. Renata shares her personal journey from overwhelmed working mom struggling with PCOS and insulin resistance to entrepreneur with a mission to redefine healthcare through culinary empowerment. What started as a personal solution—hiring a chef to prepare healthy meals for her family—evolved into a scalable program now contracted by health plans like Anthem to serve Medicaid patients in Sacramento County. Unlike traditional meal delivery, Foodom sends trained chefs into patients' homes every two weeks to cook nourishing meals and teach basic culinary skills. It's a powerful model rooted in sustainability and empowerment. Tune in to learn about: How a personal health crisis sparked a revolutionary business idea Why health plans like Anthem are paying for in-home chef services The key differences between meal delivery and chef-led culinary education The challenges and solutions of scaling food-as-medicine at the community level Why El Dorado County is emerging as a hub for healthspan innovation And so much more! If you're interested in the intersection of culinary care, health equity, and scalable functional medicine delivery, this is a must-listen.

In this powerful episode of the Evolution of Medicine podcast, James Maskell sits down with Tasha Blank—DJ, movement catalyst, and founder of Powerhouse DJ School—to explore how dance, music, and embodiment can be powerful tools for healing and nervous system regulation. For over a decade, Tasha has pioneered sober-conscious dance events that remove movement from the club scene and place it back into the realm of sacred, intentional expression. Her story is one of personal transformation, community leadership, and deep inquiry into how we heal—physically, emotionally and culturally. Tune in to learn about: How dance and embodiment shifted Tasha's relationship with her body and launched a decade-long journey of transformation. The health crisis in her late teens that forced her to look beyond conventional medicine and into nutrition, movement and energy work. A pandemic-fueled identity deconstruction that led to unexpected healing through metabolic, animal-based nutrition—and opened questions around gender, body image and healing. The launch of Powerhouse DJ School and teaching others to use music and dance as vehicles for transformation. The philosophy behind sober dance spaces and how reclaiming movement as medicine can heal individuals and communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone exploring somatic healing, community-based transformation, and new paradigms for health that go far beyond prescriptions and protocols.

Summary In this episode, James welcomes back Dr. Bryce Appelbaum to the Evolution of Medicine podcast to continue their previous discussion about functional optometry.  James and Dr. Appelbaum recently reconnected at an event tied to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. Dr. Appelbaum approaches vision health from a functional medicine perspective and considers how functional vision issues can be implicated in seemingly unrelated cognitive issues, such as learning disabilities and ADHD. Tune into this full conversation that explores: How practitioners are working to communicate the full scope of what is possible in terms of improving vision, cognition, and overall health for the benefit of public awareness Dr. Appelbaum has worked with Dave Asprey to demonstrate and document how targeted interventions can significantly improve vision Why early-life screen time damages children's health, harming learning and focus   How undiagnosed vision problems can have major impacts on health and wellbeing Which patients benefit most from ScreenFit Use code EVOMED for $200 off on ScreenFit, the vision training program designed to minimize the negative effects of screens on vision and promote healthy visual habits. Dr. Bryce Appelbaum (12:59)- 13:35

In this episode, James Maskell is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, the newly elected president of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM). Since its founding in the 1960s, AAEM has been at the forefront of understanding and addressing environmental causes of illness. Dr. Morrison shares how AAEM is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by a new generation of passionate practitioners dedicated to tackling chronic illnesses like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and metabolic dysfunction through the lens of environmental health. Key topics include: The impact of mold exposure, heavy metal toxicity, EMFs, and other environmental toxins on chronic disease. How AAEM is training practitioners to integrate environmental factors into their care strategies. Building a community of practitioners to advocate for policy changes that improve public health. Highlights from the upcoming AAEM conference in San Antonio, featuring renowned speakers like Del Bigtree and Erin Brockovich. James also reflects on how Dr. Morrison's innovative clinic shaped his early thinking about lifestyle medicine and patient engagement. Tune in to explore how AAEM is leading the charge for a healthier future through environmental medicine.

In this episode, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Staci Whitman, a holistic pediatric dentist who shares her transformative journey from advocating for fluoride use to opposing its inclusion in public water systems. Dr. Whitman integrates dental health with whole-body wellness. She is an IFM Certified Provider (IFMCP), Board Certified in Naturopathic Medical Dentistry and Integrative Biological Dental Medicine (NMD), and an active member of several professional dentistry organizations. The conversation explores recent studies and court rulings that highlight concerns about fluoride's neurotoxic effects, particularly its association with reduced IQ in children—even at the so-called “optimal” levels used in most water supplies. Dr. Whitman emphasizes the cumulative nature of fluoride exposure, from water and toothpaste to processed foods, complicating efforts to measure total intake—especially for vulnerable groups like infants and children. Key Topics Discussed: The alarming lack of safety data on fluoride and its potential neurotoxic effects. The need for a paradigm shift in dentistry toward a more holistic and preventive approach. Why Dr. Whitman supports topical fluoride application over systemic water fluoridation. How hygiene, nutrition, and education offer better alternatives to public water fluoridation. Counterarguments from proponents of public water fluoridation. Don't miss this insightful episode on one of 2024's most debated topics!

Dr. Joel Warsh is an integrative pediatrician who has built a successful practice in Los Angeles. He discusses his journey into integrative medicine, initially being frustrated by the overuse of medications in traditional pediatric care and seeking out alternative approaches. He talks about the challenge of getting the necessary education in integrative pediatrics, as there was limited formal training available at the time. Dr. Warsh describes the experience of interacting with his more traditional pediatric colleagues, noting that he had to develop a thick skin but has seen the tide starting to shift as more doctors become interested in integrative approaches. He emphasizes the importance of open-minded communication and not being overtly contrarian. A key theme of the conversation is the concept of "doing nothing" as the best approach in many pediatric cases, allowing the body's natural healing processes to work. Dr. Warsh shares his dramatic reduction in antibiotic prescriptions by taking a more watchful, supportive approach. Tune into this conversation to learn more about How our healthcare system is evolving, and demand for integrative practices is growing Unity among practitioners can amplify the message of integrative health Dr. Warsh's new book, Parenting at Your Child's Pace, which offers health-focused perspectives on common parenting questions and challenges in the early years. How Dr. Warsh's book fills a gap left by therapy-focused parenting books And much more! https://parentingatyourchildspace.com/ Joel Warsh, MD:

In this episode, Dr. Achina Stein and Silvia Covelli share their experience leading the Healing Depression Project, a holistic approach to treating depression that integrates functional medicine, lifestyle changes, and community support. Drawing from their personal experiences with conventional psychiatry, they discuss the frustrations with traditional treatments and the need to address both physical and mental health simultaneously.  The project challenges the conventional narrative around mental health treatment, offering a comprehensive recovery program built on evidence-based practices and a supportive community. Tune into this episode to learn: Why we need alternative approaches to traditional psychiatry How the project integrates functional medicine with metabolic psychiatry to enhance mental health outcomes. How a holistic approach may be especially helpful for those who don't benefit from medication. How community support is leveraged to support the recovery process. Future goals include expanding the program and making it accessible to a broader audience. And much more! This episode offers insight into how functional medicine and community-based support can reshape mental health care and foster long-term recovery. Please download and share with someone who would like to hear about this opportunity.  

Business of Functional Medicine: Four Entrepreneurial Mindsets for Practice Owners [OM1]   Guest: Ari Meisel Host: Kristen Brokaw Episode # 349 October 2, 2024   In this Business of Functional Medicine podcast episode hosted by Kristen Brokaw, Ari Meisel, a business coach, discusses the importance of productivity and scalability for healthcare providers. He emphasizes the need for providers to shift their mindset from being indispensable to creating systems that allow for growth and delegation. The discussion covers the impact of technology on business practices, the four entrepreneurial mindsets, and strategies for improving patient experiences and communication within practices. Ari also shares insights on effective delegation and the importance of overcoming overwhelm to find hope and success in practice management. Tune into this episode to learn about: How Ari's "Less Doing" system can help providers become more replaceable in their businesses How technology amplifies existing habits, good or bad Planning for an “exit strategy” to have an eventual option of selling one's business or stepping into less hands-on, time-intensive role Using delegation to empower team members, not just offload work Improving communication to improve your business and clinical practice

In this inspiring episode, Erin and Gene share their powerful journey from the world of conventional medicine to founding their thriving functional medicine practice, Rising Tide Wellness, in Charleston, SC. Through personal health challenges and professional growth, they discovered the potential of functional medicine to provide the answers they were searching for—not just for themselves, but for their community. This conversation delves into how their partnership fueled their transition, the importance of accountability, and how the support of their local community has been integral to their success. From navigating the challenges of building a practice to embracing personal transformation, Erin and Gene offer a roadmap for practitioners looking to balance heart, structure, and innovation in the evolving world of healthcare. Tune in to learn about: Solutions that functional medicine offers where conventional approaches may fall short How to build a supportive partnership to drive personal and professional growth How a successful practice demands both community integration and personal development How workshops, group coaching, and virtual care can provide flexibility and deeper patient engagement How personal and professional transformations are continuous and impactful Tune in to hear how Erin and Gene are forging new paths in medicine and empowering their community to take charge of their wellness.   Rising Tide Wellness The Business of Functional Medicine: Proactive Business Solutions for a Healthy Practice with Seth Conger

Rob Kress, with a background in pharmacy and herbology, joins James for a compelling discussion on the critical need for men's health-focused medical practices. This episode is meant to inspire practitioners to create successful, holistic men's health practices that can effectively address the current men's health crisis. The conversation stems from the recognition that many existing practices are primarily geared toward women, leaving a gap in addressing men's specific health needs. Rob Kress shares with listeners his program, Man Unmedicated, which is a 30+ hour training program designed to equip practitioners with both clinical knowledge and coaching skills. Man Unmedicated offers a dual approach to men's health: Functional Medicine Training: Focuses on labs, hormones, medications, and other clinical aspects related to men's health. Holistic Wellness Training: Covers the "seven peaks of wellness," including physical health, movement, exercise, and emotional/mental well-being, providing a more comprehensive approach to men's health. Listen to the episode to hear more about: Opportunities that come with building men's health-focused practices The importance of creating relatability and trust with male patients by sharing personal health journeys Strategies for building referral-based, community-centered practices around men's health groups and coaching Ongoing mentorship and support to help practitioners implement this model in their communities And much more The State of Men's Health Functional Forum, August 2024 Man Unmedicated

Julia Hotz is a journalist and author, who wrote a book called The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service and Belonging. James and Julia connected because her new book is strikingly synergistic in topic and title to James' second book, The Community Cure: Transforming Health Outcomes Together, which calls for readers to adopt group care principles to make lifestyle medicine more widely accessible and sustainable. This is an enlivening conversation, where you'll hear about the data backing social prescribing as an antidote to the most prevalent chronic health issues of this generation: illnesses exacerbated by the loneliness epidemic, such as attention and mood issues and a slew of chronic illnesses. Tune in to learn about: Financial benefits of social prescribing Business solutions for supporting community-based solutions to chronic health issues How science backs social prescribing as an effective solution to ailments like chronic pain, trauma, dementia, diabetes and loneliness Potential for insurance companies to incentivize social prescriptions The benefits of art and nature on health And much more

VagusFest launched in spring 2024, and Dr. Kelly Livingston took the concept and ran with it, creating a sucessful event that engaged her local community members. Dr. Livingston joins this podcast episode to share her experience applying James Maskell's VagusFest model in Darien, Connecticut. The VagusFest model enables local practitioners to host local community events that demonstrate to local attendees the power of vagal toning, and indirectly, the benefits of lifestyle, functional, or integrative medicine. Functioning as a promotional event for local clinics, VagusFest addresses a public relations issue for functional medicine, which is that the general perception that patients must invest significant time into their health journey before seeing results. VagusFest hosts can showcase how their approach to medicine offers immediate benefits through direct experience at the event. Download and listen to the episode to hear more about: Reasons for practitioners to prioritize nervous system regulation in their practices. Dr. Livingston's favorite resources on vagal toning, including books by Deb Dana and Stanley Rosenberg. Challenges and successes of previous VagusFest events. The value of group medicine and community engagement. This podcast episode is brought to you by Pulsetto. Pulsetto is a leader in the vagus nerve revolution. Their vagus nerve stimulator is extremely easy to use, great for addressing pain and sleep issues.  Order your first one at goevomed.com/Pulsetto. If you like it and want to order for your patients, you can also order wholesale much like you would do with supplements. This is potentially a powerful tool to use in your practice.   

On this episode, our guest is Mastin Kipp, a best-selling author and creator of Functional Life CoachingTM. Mastin joined the podcast to talk about his recent book titled, Reclaim Your Nervous System, which discusses the importance of prioritizing the nervous system in healing and overall well-being. Mastin asserts that befriending and addressing resistant parts of ourselves can promote healing and improve our relationship with our nervous system. Mastin highlights the power of group care and co-regulation in creating a safe space for emotional expression and healing. This podcast release coincides with Evolution of Medicine's launch of VagusFest, which is a participatory nervous system healing event that practitioners can organize to promote healing in their communities. If you're interested in hosting your own event, please contact support@goevomed.com.  Check out the full podcast episode to hear about: Mastin Kipp's journey into coaching and the study of the nervous system. The power of group settings for facilitating behavior change and creating a sense of safety. Co-regulating groups can drive the adoption of functional medicine as a standard of care, with clinicians providing support and addressing root causes when necessary. Challenges of expressing emotions and the societal conditioning that often discourages emotional expression. And more!

Robert Lustig, MD joins James for this information-packed episode that unifies mental and metabolic healthcare. Dr. Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist and food educator, who focuses on spreading awareness about the topic of this podcast. During this episode he walks through the connection between nutrition, brain health, and mental health. They touch on topics such as the impact of ultra-processed food on metabolic health, the role of the amygdala in fear conditioning and chronic toxic stress, and the importance of the vagus nerve in regulating the nervous system. Dr. Lustig also highlights the need for public education and policy change to address the systemic health crisis and mental health crisis. Dr. Lustig will be speaking at the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference in October 2024. Check out this informative, empowering episode to hear about: Dr. Lusting's new book on the amygdala and its connection to food. The importance of understanding the difference between food science, nutrition and metabolic health. The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in systemic and mental health disorders. The potential for a cultural shift toward prioritizing metabolic health and the challenges facing it. 

In this episode James Maskell is joined by returning guest, Dr. Shilpa Saxena, MD to continue exploring the use of GLP-1 agonists, specifically Semaglutide, for weight loss and cardiometabolic diseases. The conversation reinforces the importance of using GLP-1s responsibly and in conjunction with lifestyle medicine coaching to address underlying behavioral issues and promote sustainable weight loss. Dr. Saxena emphasizes the need to address metabolic dysfunction comprehensively, considering factors such as fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, and using a combination of interventions, including herbs, botanicals, and lifestyle modifications. They also discuss the potential side effects of GLP-1 agonists and strategies for minimizing them. Additionally, they touch on the role of group visits and community support in facilitating behavior change and long-term success in weight management. Check out the full episode to hear their thoughts on:        Normalizing discussions around weight without enabling poor health.       The role of supportive communities to support behavior change       Stigma around Semaglutide use        Patient personas who functional medicine providers are best able to help, and those personas that are not a good fit for the functional medicine approach to weight loss. Learn about Group Visit Toolkits

In James Maskell's first-ever solo podcast, he introduces Evolution of Medicine's upcoming event, VagusFest. On May 29, 2024, listeners can join the Evolution of Medicine's debut VagusFest, a participatory education experience focused on toning the vagus nerve, that will provide hands-on healing experiences for participants.   In this podcast episode, James previews themes that will be explored during VagusFest and expresses how the event will help advance health-promoting medicine. VagusFest will serve as a model for clinicans to recreate similar events in their local communities as a strategy for carrying out public relations campaigns that promote functional medicine at the local level. VagusFest is a complete set of tools to run a VagusFest event in a community, including step-by-step guides, marketing materials, and PR assets. Check out the full conversation to learn about: James' thoughts on what has been limiting the growth of functional medicine. How to win over new patients who have been deterred by long treatment timelines and expectations to make lifestyle changes. How VagusFest will give participants the tools to regulate their own nervous systems and create a sense of unity and healing in their communities. Upcoming opportunities for practitioners to participate in VagusFest events and learn how to implement them in their own communities.

Dr. James Carter, the director of the Center for Functional Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, discusses his journey to functional medicine and his role at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Carter is also a vascular medicine specialist and is interested in vascular health from a functional medicine perspective. He talks about the vision and growth of functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic, including the development of specialized programs for women's health, oncology, pediatrics, and cardiovascular health. Dr. Carter also discusses the importance of group visits and shared medical appointments in functional medicine practice. He shares his excitement for the upcoming Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Annual International Conference (AIC) and highlights topics he is looking forward to, such as bone health, mental health and pediatric nutrition. Finally, Dr. Carter reflects on his decision to join Cleveland Clinic and expresses his enthusiasm for the future of functional medicine at the institution. Check out this full conversation to learn more about: ·         A systems perspective that integrates biological systems with social context in patient care. ·         Educating medical students and integrating functional medicine into cardiology practice ·         Understanding and overcoming resistance to change with patients. ·         A preview of Dr. Carter's upcoming IFM presentation, and what he's looking forward to learning from other presenters. ·         And much, much more! Register here for IFM's AIC event, occurring May 29-June 1, 2024. You can also register for VagusFest here, which is occurring on the evening of May 29.  Check out Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center's new website to learn about their Group Visit Toolkits, tools to enhance patient compliance and more at lifestylematrix.com/membership.  

In this episode, we learn about anthroposophic medicine from James Maskell's guest, Adam Blanning, MD. Anthroposophic medicine takes a holistic approach to humans, nature, illness, and healing by addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. The principles and practices of this medicinal form incorporate elements of herbal medicine, homeopathy, movement therapies and more. Anthroposophic medicine was established in the early 1920s by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman. Anthroposophic medicine can be especially beneficial for children working through chronic illnesses, such as asthma, allergies or behavioral issues. Dr. Blanning also highlights the importance of understanding developmental rhythms and providing support for children during key stages of growth. Dr. Blanning, in addition to founding the Denver Center for Anthroposophic Therapies, is also involved in consulting for Waldorf schools, which are rooted in Rudolf Steiner's work. Check out this full conversation to learn more about: James Maskell's personal experiences with anthroposophic medicine. Application of anthroposophic medicine in various settings, including hospitals and private practices. The importance of creating healing environments that consider the patient's comfort and well-being, such as reducing noise and promoting rest in hospital settings. An upcoming training week through the Physicians' Association for Anthroposophic Medicine on April 27 - May 4, 2024 in Loveland, Colorado.

James Maskell's guest on this episode is Dr. Elisa Song, a holistic pediatrician whose mission is to educate clinicians and parents alike about environmental toxicity in children and how to help children thrive by improving their health. She has written books, organized conferences and is passionate about addressing environmental toxicity.   In this episode, she discusses several sources of toxins in children and the importance of toning the vagus nerve as a strategy to improve children's well-being. Dr. Song's upcoming book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrated Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience, provides practical guidance to help promote health and resilience in children, including advice about how to read food labels and avoid harmful additives. Check out this empowering conversation to learn more about: Food additives that contribute to leaky gut and chronic illnesses. The importance of parasympathetic exercises for children with chronic symptoms or illnesses. How environmental toxins are contributing to chronic illness. Dr. Song's book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrated Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience, available on May 14, 2024.   

Guest: Zak Holdsworth, CEO of Hint Health In this Business of Functional Medicine episode, we hear from Zak Holdsworth, a leader in the health technology industry and the CEO and cofounder of Hint Health. Hint Health supports the direct primary care (DPC) movement and aims to provide affordable, high-quality health care by offering a successful alternative to the traditional fee-for-service model. Zak Holdsworth's company offers technology solutions for DPC clinics, including membership management systems and employer infrastructure. They have also developed an EMR system specifically designed for DPC clinics. Additionally, Hint Health has created Hint Connect, a network product that connects DPC clinics with employers and other health care practitioners. Their goal is to create a unified network of DPC clinics that can work together to provide better care and reduce costs. The company's vision is to redesign the healthcare system to enable easy access to high-quality, affordable care. Download and listen to the full episode to learn about: The concept of unity and the value of working together in the DPC market. Constraints of the fee-for-service model and how removing those constraints can lead to better patient care and alignment with functional medicine practices. How Hint Connect allows for rapid patient onboarding and revenue generation for doctors. A positive shift in the perception of DPC by insurance brokers, who now see the value in investing in high-value primary care. And much, much more! Plus, check out the visualization of the interconnected relationships across the Hint Health DPC ecosystem.

In this episode, Dr. Tom Guilliams rejoins the podcast to explore the complexities and misconceptions surrounding botanical medicine and how clinicians can maximize the therapeutic effects of herbs. We learn from Dr. Guilliams that clinicians using herbs should consider the role of the microbiome in terms of absorption and activation of botanical compounds. He explains that because absorption varies from person to person, a personalized approach is needed for optimal outcomes. Dr. Guilliams also discusses the limitations of traditional clinical trials in evaluating botanical medicine, and he proposes a new framework that considers individual characteristics, such as genetics and microbiome composition. While Dr. Guilliams encourages listeners to embrace the use of botanicals, he also advises questioning the source and efficacy of herbal products and considering the traditional uses of herbs in addition to the isolated compounds. Please check out the full conversation to learn more about: The limitations of curcumin and the need to consider the whole components of herbs. Why herbology is complex and requires specialized knowledge. The historical and traditional uses of botanical medicine for healing. Issues with applying the pharmaceutical model to botanical extracts. Why we need to rethink research processes and clinical trial methodologies for botanical medicine. And much more!

In this podcast episode, James Maskell interviews Dr. Navaz Habib about the importance of the vagus nerve in healing and overall health. Dr. Habib explains that the vagus nerve plays a critical role in shifting the body from a sympathetic (fight or flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest and digest) state, which is necessary for healing. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for patients to feel connected and reduce stress. Dr. Habib also discusses the role of physical trauma, such as head injuries or spinal misalignments, in affecting vagus nerve function. He recommends various strategies to improve vagus nerve tone, including diaphragmatic breathing, gargling, humming and physical exercise. Dr. Habib's new book, Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve, provides further information on these strategies and their impact on overall health. Listen to the full conversation to learn how: The vagus nerve is the organ of unity, connecting all organs and systems in the body. Chronic diseases are diseases of disconnection, both internally and externally. Breathing exercises, such as slow, nasal and diaphragmatic breathing, can help regulate the breath and shift the body into a parasympathetic state. Gargling, humming and vocalization can stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic system. The vagus nerve is a unifying topic for health professionals and can be beneficial for patients of all ages and conditions.

James Maskell's guest on this episode is Jeffrey Morrison, MD, whose clinical approach is to use nutrition to prevent or reverse degenerative and chronic disease. In both his clinical practice and as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, he considers detoxification as a critical foundation to health. During this conversation, Dr. Morrison emphasizes that toxins in the environment are a major cause of disease and that our bodies are not equipped to handle the vast array of chemicals present in our modern environment. He explains that detoxification is a natural process where cells push toxins into the connective tissue, which then moves them through the lymphatic system, liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract for elimination (or through sweat or breath). However, if the body is overwhelmed with toxins or if the detoxification process is hindered, symptoms and illness can occur. Most often, this looks like visible inflammation, aches and pains, fatigue, skin issues and brain fog.   Dr. Morrison recommends supporting detoxification through practices such as regular exercise, anti-inflammatory eating, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining regular bowel movements. He also discusses the importance of the lymphatic system in detoxification and the role of the nervous system in regulating detoxification.  Please listen to this full episode to learn more about: Group detox programs to save costs and time, for clinicans and patients alike.  The role of saunas in detoxification The American Academy of Environmental Medicine's focus on educating practitioners and advocacy for environmental health And much more!  Evolution of Medicine's partner, Lifestyle Matrix Resources Center can point you to patient education materials, as well as protocols related to detoxification as well. You can contact them at contactus@lifestylematrix.com.  

In this episode, James interviews Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a neuro-optometrist. For the first time ever on the podcast, we learn about the field of functional optometry, including how it differs from traditional optometry. Dr. Appelbaum discusses the importance of vision for overall health and how vision problems can impact learning, behavior and daily life. His framework is shaped by his childhood experience with overcoming visual problems through vision therapy. He is passionate about his mission to raise awareness about functional vision care, even though he faces resistance from conventional optometry. He also introduces his online vision training program, ScreenFit, which is designed to minimize the negative effects of screens on vision and promote healthy visual habits. Podcast listeners can use the code EVOMED to receive a discount on the ScreenFit program. Tune into the full conversation to learn more about: How one in 10 children have vision problems that impact their ability to learn The importance of vision for neurological function, especially in childhood Waldorf education and developmentally appropriate educational philosophies How inflammation and cardiometabolic health relate to eye function And much, much more!  

In this episode, Dr. Joan Rosenberg discusses her book, 90 Seconds to A Life You Love, and the concept of living life by design. Many believe their circumstances dictate their lives; our guest asserts that one can design their life by having a vision or big goals and working towards them despite the circumstances. Dr. Rosenberg shares the importance of paying attention to how thoughts and feelings are expressed and managing emotional states effectively. She introduces the concept of the "Rosenberg reset," which involves choosing awareness by experiencing unpleasant feelings for 90 seconds and using insights gained from those feelings to make decisions or act. Dr. Rosenberg also discusses how clinicians can apply these principles in their practice, including addressing difficult topics with patients and handling their own emotions. She suggests using a soft contract with patients to discuss sensitive issues and delivering information with well-intentioned kindness. Dr. Rosenberg believes confidence and resiliency can be developed when clinicians are able to confront difficult topics and handle the responses they receive. Download and listen to this conversation to learn more about: How to develop confidence as a clinician Why emotional mastery is an important component of successfully collaborating with patients The eight emotions we need to accept to feel more capable in our lives Using “soft contracts” and offering observations tentatively to deliver difficult messages to patients And much, much more Joan I. Rosenberg, PhD, creator of Emotional Mastery™ and Emotional Mastery Training™, is a highly regarded expert psychologist, master clinician, trainer and consultant. She is a cutting-edge psychologist who is known as an innovative thinker, trainer and speaker. 

In this episode, Dr. Mollie James shares her experiences during and after the pandemic. She transitioned from being a critical care physician in an ICU to providing functional and integrative medicine primary care services.   Dr. James previously had a career in surgical and critical care, which ended because she spoke publicly about providing early COVID treatments and did not receive a vaccine because she has natural immunity. She was put under investigation by a medical board for 18 months, even though the board made no accusation of wrongdoing. This led to her dropping her fellowship credentials. She was also censured by The American College of Surgeons and is now unable to work in another ICU. You'll hear her discuss post-vaccine syndrome and how she helps patients clear and recover from excessive spike protein. She is now dedicated to providing personalized care rooted in functional and integrative medicine principles, and she treats a broad spectrum of chronic health conditions beyond COVID and post-vaccine syndromes. Tune in and download this episode to learn more about:  How Dr. James' first attempt at building a practice failed because she was using an insurance model The ethical responsibility of physicians to keep functional medicine affordable Her experience working in ICUs during four waves of the pandemic, which included having her ivermectin prescriptions canceled Foundational tools to treat post-vaccine syndrome And much, much more

Peter Kozlowski, MD is a functional medicine physician based in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, we discussed the importance of detoxification and gut health in his practice. He emphasizes the need to address the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health because they play a significant role in detoxification. Dr. Kozlowski recommends focusing on the basics of detox, such as sleep, hydration, bowel movements, and sweating, before considering more advanced testing and treatments. He also highlights the importance of community and social support for maintaining a healthy detoxification system in the body. Dr. Kozlowski encourages practitioners to work together and collaborate rather than compete in order to better serve patients and improve outcomes. Download and listen to learn more about the following: How recovering from an alcohol-use disorder led Dr. Kozlowski to functional medicine The value of testing for heavy metals, mycotoxins and glyphosate Addressing the skin and gut barrier during detoxification protocols   Dr. Kozlowski's experimentation with different payment models and in-person versus virtual visits Using cortisol labs, stool cultures and other tests to show patients how trauma impacts their health And much, much more 

 This episode's guest is Dr. Michelle Thompson, the medical director of the Lifestyle Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). This conversation explores how Dr. Thompson is bringing lifestyle and integrative medicine into major health systems. She began her journey practicing integrative medicine but leveraged the six pillars of lifestyle medicine to bridge the gap with conventional medicine. This hybrid path allowed her to excel at practicing in traditional settings and facilitated introducing integrative and lifestyle medicine principles into larger health systems. Dr. Thompson also shared evidence that there is growing momentum behind the integrative and lifestyle medicine movements, including acceptance and adoption of its principles within health systems. She encourages physicians who may have previously left the system to consider returning and joining a hospital system that is open to change and supportive of these modalities. Building upon recent podcast conversations, such as the episode with Dr. Joe Pizzorno, this episode emphasizes the importance of unity amongst the many disciplines within health-promoting care. Download and listen to this episode to learn more about: How clinicans can transform medicine by being bold and authentic in how they choose to practice The responsibility of clinicians, residents and medical students to help shift the culture in medicine to better align with the principles of lifestyle medicine The importance of showing empathy towards patients and letting them drive their own health journey Physician burnout and the importance of clinicians prioritizing self-care And much, much more Related resources: American College of Lifestyle Medicine: About the UMPC Lifestyle Medicine Program Whole Hearted Medicine: Meet Dr. Michelle 

Dr. Joe Pizzorno, a prominent naturopathic doctor and Board Chair at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), joins James to discuss the unifying factors among the many channels of health medicine, which include acupuncture, naturopathic, functional, integrative, chiropractic, and Ayurvedic medicine. This conversation addresses foundational aspects of health, such as nutrition and lifestyle, that support optimal mitochondrial function for vitality. Dr. Pizzorno also shared the need for scientific research to support the effectiveness of health medicine practices and calls for increased funding in this area. For example, he hopes that we will have access to reliable clinical testing for mitochondrial energy and ATP production in the future. Listen to the episode to learn more about:   Preventing neurodegeneration by eating organically grown food   The importance of flavonoids    Vitalism (creating health) versus pathogenesis and salutogenesis     The need for a clear conceptual basis for integrative medicine   The great potential for Health Medicine Alliance to improve the public health baseline Related resources:  Health Medicine Alliance   Health Medicine by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno and published in Integrative Medicine

This week's podcast guest is Jonathan Jones, PhD, a plant polyphenols researcher and the Chief Scientific Officer at Monteloeder, a company that provides innovative, scientifically researched botanical ingredients by assessing the botanicals' components, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities, and mechanisms of action. They developed a product called metabolaid®, which contains a standardized ratio of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and lemon verbena extract to deliver active compounds, primarily anthocyanins and verbascoside, respectively. This product reduces triglyceride buildup in fat cells in the liver and adipose tissue. We learned from Dr. Jones about how metabolaid® activates AMPK, which can switch on fat burning and block fat storage. There are numerous other cardiovascular and weight-loss benefits linked to this product, including improved microbiome diversity and others discussed by Dr. Jones in this episode. Please listen to the full conversation to learn the following about this powerful botanical:       Its cardiovascular and fat-loss benefits        The plant components and mechanisms of action        The research and extraction process        How this product differs from incretin agonists and increases GLP-1 expression        And much, much more!

Our guest for this episode is Zeev E. Neuwirth, MD, an advocate for transforming healthcare delivery. He is a healthcare executive with over 15 years of clinical practice in internal medicine and another 15 years in clinical operations, quality improvement, care redesign and population health. Dr. Neuwirth is also a digital health industry advisor, podcast host and author. His most recent book released in September 2023 is called Beyond The Walls: Megatrends, Movements and Market Disruptors Transforming American Healthcare. It outlines a three-part strategy for the transformation of American healthcare and documents dozens of examples of the visionary, courageous entrepreneurs and leaders who are transcending the constraints of our legacy past. Dr. Neuwirth is closely aligned with the Evolution of Medicine's values, and he has been working to change healthcare from a high level within conventional systems. Download and listen to the episode to learn more about the following: How digital technology and group visits can improve healthcare The importance of reducing or preventing physician burnout The urgency behind transforming payment models to reduce healthcare expenses Practical strategies for transforming healthcare from within large healthcare systems and “beyond the walls” of those systems And much, much more!

This week, we address a hot and controversial topic in medicine: weight loss pharmaceuticals.  Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP) agonists are gaining popularity for their use in treating type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, obesity. These medications stimulate insulin secretion and are shown to increase weight loss and improve blood pressure. However, significant gastrointestinal and other rare but concerning side effects make these medications controversial. Patients often also gain back much of the lost weight when these medications are stopped. Our guest this episode is Christina Robins, MD, who has a successful clinic called RevitaLife, which blends family medicine, women's health care, antiaging medicine and medical weight loss, among other services. Dr. Robins has long been using GLP-1 agonists with her patients, and she joined James to share her strategies for supporting patients using those medications in combination with nutraceutical support. Listen to the full conversation to learn about the following: Lifestyle and nutraceutical support before, during and after the use of weight-loss medications How to prevent connective tissue and muscle loss during weight loss FDA approval for weight loss and type 2 diabetes drugs Appropriate uses for these medications and potential off-label uses And much, much more!

Dan Strause is the president and CEO of Hometown Pharmacy, which is a network of 70 independent functional pharmacies across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan that deliver patient-focused care. The Hometown Pharmacy group seeks to connect prescribing clinicians with pharmacists to collaborate and achieve the goal of moving patients from pharmaceuticals to nutraceuticals to food. They see a critical need for pharmacists to reconnect and work with prescribing clinicians, especially to mitigate or address drug-induced nutrient deficiencies. Building relationships between patients, prescribing clinicians and pharmacists often starts with patients asking questions and engaging with their health care. Thus, the functional pharmacy approach involves empowering and inspiring patients through health education. Listen to this full conversation to learn from Dan about the many innovative strategies the group incorporates, including:  Sending dieticians and nutritionists to speak within communities about functional pharmacies to educate and inspire at a grassroots level A test-teach-therapy-test approach with patients Using scientific literature and dialog to build relationships with like-minded clinicians  Learning how to best work with patients to foster adherence And much, much more! Dan Strause is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Functional Pharmacy Symposium on September 23 in Nashville, TN. He will be joined by other former Functional Forum and Evolution of Medicine podcast guests, such as James LaValle, RPh; Thomas G. Guilliams, PhD; Mark Houston, MD; and Jeff Robins, RPh. Register to attend the conference to learn more functional medicine best practices that will support the future success of your pharmacy.

Our guest this week on the podcast is Robert Pearl, MD, a lifestyle medicine champion and leader. He is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group (1999-2017), the largest United States medical group, and the former president of The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (2009-2017). In those two roles, he led 10,000 physicians and 38,000 staff. Currently, he cohosts a podcast and is an author, clinical professor, contributor to Forbes, and speaker. In this podcast episode, we discussed the economics of health care and different payment models that can support preventative care and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Pearl laid out his perspective on the issues with fee-for-service payment models—mainly that it incentivizes disease treatment rather than prevention. He proposed an alternative model known as capitation, which is the model Kaiser Permanente uses. Capitation pays a group of doctors an established, upfront fee to fulfill medical needs for a defined population of patients.  Listen to this fascinating conversation to learn more about the following: Capitation versus fee-for-service models Dr. Pearl's vision for how clinicians can contribute to building an alternative market for lifestyle medicine The role of artificial intelligence in supporting patient education, compliance and outcomes Using telemedicine and groups to make lifestyle medicine more economical And much more!

Izabella Wentz, PharmD is an author and pharmacist who previously spoke on the Functional Forum and specializes in helping patients overcome thyroid dysfunction. In this episode, she joins James to talk about her personal journey with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after years of debilitating symptoms. Her most recent book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol, was released on April 18, 2023. The book focuses on resetting the body's stress response through targeted safety signals, and it features a four-week program that has already helped over 3,500 people.  Dr. Wentz is also an advocate for spreading awareness about how thyroid dysfunction can produce psychiatric symptoms, which is often overlooked by conventional health care providers. Check out the full episode to learn more about: The stigma around the term “adrenal fatigue”    Dr. Wentz' experience addressing adverse drug events and drug-induced nutrient depletion The mental health and adrenal connection Options for supporting patients with thyroid dysfunction How to help your patients achieve lifestyle changes And much, much more!

Dr. Carrie Jones rejoins the Evolution of Medicine podcast to discuss the functional medicine approach to depression, anxiety and attention issues. She is an avid educator who specializes in stress and endocrine health. A recent systematic review found that the serotonin theory of depression is scientifically unsupported,  which raises the question: What does this mean for patients who use either SSRIs or SNRIs? Dr. Jones explains how she answers this for concerned patients and discusses her approach to resolving mood issues by looking for root causes. Other topics discussed in this conversation include rising mental health issues amongst teenagers in particular, group care, and mental health lifestyle factors, such as balancing neurotransmitters, stress management, social connection, nutrition, gut health and physical activity. Tune in and listen to the whole conversation to learn about the following from Dr. Jones: Examples of how blood sugar dysregulation can harm sleep quality and mental health Problems that can arise when supporting only one neurotransmitter Specific nutrients she uses for patients with mood dysregulation The potential for technology, especially continuous glucose monitors, to empower patients in their health journeys And much, much more!  

Kristen Brokaw hosts this episode which features Andy Sutton, CEO of Kare Health & Wellness.  Andy and his wife, Keri Sutton, cofounded and grew a successful integrative health center. Andy's background is in architecture as a project manager, and his wife is a nurse practitioner who serves as the chief medical officer of Kare Health & Wellness. At the clinic, Andy also oversees marketing, new staff hires and training. Their clinic prioritizes developing and nurturing a strong culture amongst staff. Andy believes his staff's cohesiveness and shared values has a downstream effect of benefiting patients and allowing their business to be more efficient, which is one of the keys to their success. This episode belongs to the Evolution of Medicine's Business of Functional Medicine series. Once a quarter, we bring you conversations that focus on the business and practice management side of functional medicine.  Check out the full recording to learn more about Andy's approach to the following:        Developing a standardized staff training program        Staff hiring and fostering a team culture        Leveraging emotional appeal to acquire and retain patients        New patient onboarding        And much, much more!

Adrian den Boer, DC, ND joins the podcast this week to share his clinical success with collagen. As a functional medicine practitioner with extensive experience in naturopathic and chiropractic care, Dr. den Boer is just the person we needed to speak with to learn about the benefits of collagen for the musculoskeletal system.   Tune into this episode to hear his astounding success stories, including one that did not even seem possible, according to his medical school training. He also provided clinical pearls that will help you achieve the best outcomes and improve compliance when using collagen with your patients. Listen to the full episode to learn:         How collagen helps athletes recover from injury         Benefits of collagen for the aging musculoskeletal system         How Dr. den Boer's highly successful practice got started, and why he is passionate about quality testing for supplements         Issues and risks with using bone broth in place of collagen supplements         And much, much more!

Functional Forum Local Communities connect like-minded practitioners, enabling dialog, information sharing, interdisciplinary discussion, and community building for those who attend. In this episode we hear from a Functional Forum Community host and a loyal attendee. Kristen Brokaw, this week's host, is the leader of Saint Louis' local Forum Community, and founder of the St. Louis Institute for Integrative Medicine (SLIIM). Guest Grant Corsi is the Community Host of the Orange County Functional Forum Community.  He shares his story about what drove him to begin planning community events and what has made his community successful. Our second guest is Anthony Pasek, DC who has been attending St. Louis Forum Community events for at least seven years. He speaks to the value of his community, including professional camaraderie and collaboration. Listen to this short episode to learn: ·       Valuable tips for initiating community meetups ·       Why you should consider hosting your own local Community ·       What challenges to expect, and how to prepare for them as a new host ·        The benefits of attending local community events for physicians ·       And much, much more. Help us honor this year's theme of Connection by sharing this episode and consider joining or hosting a local Forum Community near you. Find a community near you. Host a community. Request a community.  

“Everyone needs a good coach in life,” according to our podcast guest this week. For this Business of Functional Medicine episode, Kristen Brokaw interviewed Coach Micheal Burt to explore his perspective on becoming and staying motivated. He applies the term prey drive—the instinctual motivation of certain animals to find, pursue and capture prey—to human behavior and motivation. Coach Burt began his career as a basketball coach and is now an author, speaker and professional coach for multiple industries. He has clients who are the most successful preventative doctors and functional health care providers in the country. Check out this full episode to take in empowering messages about: Every individuals' potential to express a strong prey drive The parts of oneself that may need to be supported (body, mind, heart and spirit) How to foster motivation on a daily basis The importance of building and maintaining dynamic energy in business Business coaching for preventative and functional medicine providers And much, much more! Visit his website to learn more about activating the drive to pursue your goals.

On this episode of the podcast, James is joined by two doctors from the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) to learn about their upcoming annual conference from June 1-3 in Orlando, FL. Aly Cohen, MD is an integrative rheumatologist who speaks about the importance of environmental medicine and why autoimmunity needs to be understood by providers across medical specialties. Dan Lukaczer, ND is the Director of Medical Education at IFM. He was previously Director of Clinical Research at the Metagenics Functional Medicine Research Center in Gig Harbor, WA, where he served as the principal investigator on various clinical trials on diet and nutrition. This event will be the first in-person IFM event since 2019 and will not be limited to any one topic or health issue. Instead, they offer an agenda featuring a wide range of subject matter. Consider registering for the IFM conference to learn more about: ·       Contaminants in drinking water—from artificial turf, fluoride and more ·       Data about environmental chemicals and how they contribute to human health conditions, specifically diseases of the immune system ·       Dietary approaches and lifestyle changes to reduce toxicity ·       Functional medicine approaches to oncology and cancer care ·       Understanding mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) ·       Innovative treatment options for mental health care ·       Updates on the microbiome, oral microbiome and systemic disease ·       Impacts of intermittent thermal stress on aging and longevity ·       Therapeutic applications of medical cannabis and endocannabinoids ·       Wearable devices and the unlocked potential of remote health monitoring ·       And much more!

This episode explores Kalibra, a new healthcare AI tool. It aggregates patient data from multiple sources and helps clinicians and patients alike prioritize health information based on functional and lifestyle medicine principles.  Our guest on this episode of the podcast, Ivan Vatchkov, the CEO of Kalibra, shares with us how Kalibra.ai performs diverse functions, including bringing together all patient data into one dynamic place. It digitizes, organizes and analyzes the many PDFs from health wearables and lab, gut microbiome, and functional medicine testing. Listen to the full conversation to:        Understand how you can simplify your practice management        Consider how data collection and analysis can streamline healthcare, especially in conventional medicine        Discover how lifestyle medicine principles were built into Kalibra        Explore the potential of AI health coaches as powerful tools to help patients make lifestyle changes        And much, much more The Evolution of Medicine has sought to be inspiring, present valuable clinical content, and highlight technology and practice management topics that advance lifestyle and functional medicine. Now that AI is becoming more prevalent, we are asking, “how will this impact the evolution of medicine?” Kalibra is tangible, it is real, and it is exciting. This is the Evolution of Medicine. Enjoy.

Approximately one quarter (25%) of the United States population has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with this reversible condition have accumulated fat in their liver cells. Over time, this creates inflammation and if left unaddressed, will eventually lead to permanent scarring or cirrhosis of the liver. The condition is highly associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, and it is projected to become the leading cause of liver transplantation by 2030. Our guest on this episode of the podcast is Elizabeth Boham, MD. She is trained as both a medical doctor and nutritionist, teaches with the IFM and is the Medical Director for the UltraWellness Center.  She joins James to share: •            Which symptoms and test results are red flags for NAFLD •            That toxins and alcohol significantly impact liver health and metabolic syndrome •            How lifestyle and nutrition strategies will help patients with the condition   •            Resources and approaches that will help your patients with cardiometabolic disease •            And much more!

Nathan S. Bryan, PhD is an academic and entrepreneur who has focused his career on the study of nitric oxide for nearly 25 years. He joins the podcast to contribute to the Evolution of Medicine's current focus on cardiovascular and endothelial health.   Nitric oxide production is foundational to overall health. Unfortunately, many contemporary environmental and lifestyle factors reduce or prevent nitric oxide production in the body. Suboptimal nitric oxide production is a factor in insulin resistance, cardiovascular issues, erectile dysfunction, long COVID and other post-viral syndromes, chronic fatigue, cognitive disorders, and more. Tune into this episode to learn about the many lifestyle and environmental factors that can impede or support the production of this important molecule. Some may even surprise you! Listen to the episode to learn more about: Nitric oxide's role in cardiovascular, immune and nervous system function The gold standards for measuring functional nitric oxide production James' and Dr. Bryan's views on the public health response during the COVID era Using nitric oxide to heal inflammation caused by excess spike protein The risks of using some commercially available products that claim to boost nitric oxide Also, check out Dr. Bryan's educational website, which includes a blog, videos and more: https://drnathansbryan.com/

Dr. Patricia Restrepo is a Practice Accelerator alumna who joins the podcast to share her experience growing two businesses with the help of the Accelerator program. After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 14 years old, Dr. Restrepo pursued an education and career that allowed her to research natural solutions for weight management and diabetes. She was able to reverse her own diabetes, and now helps patients with similar diagnoses. Both of her businesses, one in Miami and the other in Mexico, help patients manage weight loss and diabetes.  Dr. Restrepo used what she learned in the Practice Accelerator program to establish a business model that allows her to allocate time according to her personal lifestyle goals: 20% of her time is spent in clinic with patients (including groups), 40% is spent on remote consultations, and 40% is spent on her own continuing education and developing medical education for her patient community.  Listen to this full episode from the Success Leaves Clues Series to learn about: ·       The key elements that allowed her businesses to run efficiently ·       How the Practice Accelerator program helped her build a patient database ·       The importance of recording patient education videos ·       The aspects of the business can best be delegated ·       And much more! To explore what the Practice Accelerator program has to offer, consider registering for the free 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint at goevomed.com/sprint.

Yaa Boakye, CPT, RDN from the Practice Accelerator team joins James on this special episode to announce an upcoming resource that will help practitioners develop their businesses: the 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint. During this free webinar on February 17 at 8 p.m. PST/11 p.m. EST, James and Yaa will share practical, actionable, no-fluff guidelines to help practitioners set goals to grow their practices. Register for the Sprint here: https://goevomed.com/sprint  With her experience in marketing, personal training, nutrition and coaching healthcare providers, Yaa guides practitioners to develop the business side of their practices with efficiency and focus. As she explains in this podcast episode, building a successful practice requires knowledge of multiple domains, including understanding your target patient, having solid marketing strategies, utilizing technology systems to streamline day-to-day operations, and understanding how to successfully deliver patient education to maximize clinical results. However, without the right tools in place, healthcare providers may attract the wrong patients and adopt ineffective practices that consume their limited time and resources. The 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint was designed to help practitioners avoid these problems and streamline their business development strategy. Listen to the episode to learn more about: Why it's important to market your practice online and offline How to overcome unhelpful patterns that hold back your business development How the 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint can help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your practice growth The many other benefits and free resources you'll receive when you join us live for the 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint  

Dr. Tom Guilliams, a longtime friend of the podcast, returns to share his experience researching and foraging for mushrooms. Dr. Guilliams also speaks about the difficulties of accurately identifying mushrooms due to inconsistent documentation and characterization across scientific resources. These inconsistencies present significant challenges for manufacturers developing medicinal mushroom products since the extracts and powders may not be reliably labeled. Therefore, manufacturers must be diligent in verifying the mushrooms they purchase. There may also be unintended differences between mushrooms grown commercially versus those foraged from their natural setting. Practitioners and patients should be aware that many marketing claims around consumer-facing mushroom products are likely unsubstantiated.  This episode honors this year's theme of connection and builds upon what we recently learned from Dr. Zach Bush, who spoke about the role that environmental networks play in human health. Mushrooms are a literal example of biologic networks. Root-like networks of fungi and mushrooms, called mycelia, facilitate communication and allocate resources between plants within ecosystems. Check out the full conversation to learn more about: The benefits of dietary versus supplemental mushrooms The components of mushrooms and their medicinal applications The immune-modulating qualities of medicinal mushrooms The potential benefits of mushrooms for autoimmune patients And much more!

This is the first podcast episode of the 2023 year of connection. How can we employ connection to advance the functional and lifestyle medicine movement? One answer is that we must continue to leverage group care and community networks to support reconnection in the post-COVID era, improve patient outcomes and increase the awareness and accessibility of our movement. Our guest on this episode is an innovator and thought leader on health creation and chronic disease reversal. Zach Bush, MD teaches about the intersections between the environment and the individual by identifying the themes that connect diverse systems, such as microbiologic processes and macroeconomics. To him, the original human wound is a false belief that we are not all connected—to ourselves, nature and everyone around us. To be healthy—physically and mentally—is to be connected. In this episode, Dr. Bush and James explore the many repercussions of disconnection, from autoimmune disease to war, while also covering how connection can transform and heal. The full episode will bring you more insights about: The negative effects of cellular disconnection, and what environmental or lifestyle factors trigger that dysfunction How a scarcity mentality leads to fear, guilt, shame and economic disparity Empowering perspectives that help people heal Flaws in peer-reviewed, evidence-based medicine Quorum sensing and Dr. Bush's new organization, The Institute for Natural Law and Governance    The Journey of Intrinsic Health:  https://journeyofintrinsichealth.com/    Institute of Natural Law and Governance: https://www.naturallawandgov.org/   FARMER'S FOOTPRINT:    http://www.farmersfootprint.us/     https://www.facebook.com/farmersfootprint    https://www.instagram.com/farmersfootprint/   

In this episode of the Business of Functional Medicine series, our guest, Erwin Raphael McManus, is a pastor, author, filmmaker and thought leader at the intersection of entrepreneurship, spirituality and psychology. He joins this podcast to share his model of communication archetypes called The 7 Frequencies and how understanding them can help practitioners work and communicate more effectively with patients. Erwin also talks through the frequencies most often adopted by practitioners and offers insights on how to better support and motivate patients to get healthy before they get sick. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: Erwin's thoughts on the theory of quantum entanglement Descriptions of the frequencies, including the Challenger, Seer and Maven How healthcare providers benefit from understanding their communication style The importance of interpersonal relationships and interactions between patients and clinicians And much more Erwin McManus is also the host of The Genius Of podcast and the founder of McManus Gallery and Mosaic, a church movement based in the heart of Hollywood, CA. Visit his website to learn more about The 7 Frequencies along with his other work.

We are all familiar with functional medicine and perhaps even functional fitness, but have you heard of functional joy? Our guest for this podcast episode is Radha Agrawal, a successful entrepreneur and the author of the book Belong. Radha joins us to discuss her organization, Daybreaker, which spans 28 cities and five continents with a mission to foster joy and community. Daybreaker's very first events in 2013 were community dance meetups held early in the morning that aimed to replicate the positive aspects of nightlife while excluding alcohol. The scope of their work continues to expand nine years on, but dance is still their primary tool. Radha is now writing another book and developing a curriculum to teach clinicians and others to systematically foster joy in their communities. Community is a factor critical to chronic disease prevention and reversal, so we invited Radha to share her extensive experience with this powerful predictor of health outcomes often overlooked by healthcare institutions. Download the episode to learn about: Consciously building communities How to foster joy for yourself and your patients The importance of hospitality and designing welcoming spaces in medicine The biochemistry of joy (D.O.S.E.) And much more! If this episode uplifts and inspires you, we encourage you to share it with your friends, colleagues and community. EvoMed listeners have access to a 25% discount off the Dose membership with code "EVOMED."  http://dose.daybreaker.com?code=evomed

Patrick Holford is the author of 46 books on nutrition and lifestyle factors for wellness. He is also the founder of a charity, Food for the Brain Foundation, and the voluntary director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Project. He joins James on this episode to showcase the foundation's resources for reversing cognitive decline and preventing Alzheimer's disease. They discussed targeted nutrition approaches and other tools available to patients and practitioners on the foundation's website. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: Which nutrient deficiencies correlate with poorer cognitive function How to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease through supplementation The success rates of targeted nutrition therapy for reversing cognitive decline—and how nutrition therapy can be more successful than pharmaceuticals Cognitive function data collected from 377,000 participants via the foundation's test Discover more valuable resources on the Food for the Brain Foundation's website, where you can also register for their virtual Masterclass on Alzheimer's prevention. Registrants will have access to a recording if they cannot attend the live event on November 1, 2022.

Julie Funt is the CEO of Juliet Funt Group and author of A Minute to Think, which describes the importance of metaphoric white space in everyone's regular schedule. Her firm provides efficiency training to change the way we work, making it more sane, more human, and a more positive experience for all. In this Business of Functional Medicine episode, Kristen Brokaw speaks with Juliet about how this concept applies to the medical field, and we learn from the author some practical habit adjustments that can create more productive “white space.” Download and listen to the full conversation to learn more about: Why we need white space to be creative, productive and decisive Studies showing how small breaks improve performance Why pushing harder does NOT always equal better results Practical tips to conquer busyness and communicate efficiently And much more!

Our guest in this episode, Greg Leyer, PhD, has an academic background in deadly pathogenic bacteria, such as botulism and other foodborne illnesses. Now, he focuses on healthy bacteria and joins James to discuss benefits of probiotics for the vaginal microbiome. While gastrointestinal health is thought to depend on microbiome diversity, the vaginal cavity requires a more homogenous population of Lactobacillus species. By producing organic acids—mainly lactic acid—lactobacilli help maintain a pH below 4, which prevents bacterial vaginosis. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: How and why taking oral probiotics affects the vaginal microbiome Forms of microbiome supplementation, like probiotics, spores and heat-inactivated bacteria Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in different geographic locations and ethnicity And check out Dr. Leyer's ongoing work: Your Health - Our Science UREX™ – The world's most documented probiotics for women's urogenital health Women's Health | The Probiotics Institute by Chr. Hansen

Dr. Shane Holland joins this week's podcast to share his experience with the Practice Accelerator. Shane's story is one we hear over and over amongst our Practice Accelerator participants. In this series, Success Leaves Clues, we celebrate alumni stories in conjunction with our current open enrollment period, running September through October 2022. Shane began his career as a teacher and later became an emergency medicine physician, and he is currently transitioning into operating a functional medicine practice. Over the years, Shane has been interested in treating patients with chiropractic manipulation, herbs and supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. Still, he did not have access to a clear path toward building his own clinic around those strategies.   As an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Holland observed that roughly 90% of his patients did not require emergency care and were using emergency services in lieu of primary care. The training he received from The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) provided him with greater clinical insights into preventative medicine to better serve his community, and the Practice Accelerator program then guided him through building his practice.   Listen to the full episode to hear Dr. Holland's story, including: The challenges he faced during his journey His clinic's payment model and layout How the Practice Accelerator supported the launch of his new clinic The benefits of scheduling a concierge call with our coach, Patrick

Dr. Tom Guilliams, our go-to expert for anything related to nutrition research, returns to the Evolution of Medicine podcast for the second part of our Controversies in Nutrition series. Dr. Guilliams has written several books on the therapeutic uses of nutritional supplements. Our guest opens the discussion by rebutting attempts by major medical journals to discredit nutraceuticals. He breaks down the weaknesses of their research and arguments, along with how the studies are biased and unscientific. He also reviews the limitations of specific nutrient biomarkers, realistic expectations for improving methylation through folic acid supplementation, and how to assess optimal vitamin D levels in individuals who receive plentiful sun exposure. Listen to this episode if you're interested in: Why treating based on genetic testing may or may not be beneficial The significance of tracking homocysteine levels in patients When to evaluate methionine levels The NAC controversy between the FDA and Amazon

Sandi and Steve Amoils are Medical Doctors who built a multi-disciplinary functional medicine clinic in Cincinnati, which includes chiropractors, energy healers, therapists and doctors. They talk about what first steps they took to work towards this vision, how they made their business work in a cash-based model, and why they partnered with a larger hospital system. Their clinic also runs an accredited fellowship integrative medicine program. Download and listen to the full episode to learn more about: Their insights on how they became successful Increasing patient demand for functional healthcare Building credibility for functional medicine Why a large hospital system wants to run an integrative health clinic, and why the doctors singed onto that partnership And much, much more!

Dr. Shilpa P. Saxena adds to her series of Evolution of Medicine interviews with a discussion on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). With both personal and professional experience reversing the condition, she walks us through the functional medicine approach to treatment. Dr. Saxena explains how insulin resistance often accompanies and must be addressed through the “matrix” of each patient's overall health and lifestyle. Since PCOS is a clinical diagnosis, she also describes the signs practitioners should look out for in their patients and how to confirm the diagnosis with the aid of laboratory testing. Developing a niche in PCOS can be a great opportunity for practitioners since it is so prevalent, affecting between 6-12% of women, and because functional medicine provides the most robust treatment approach for complex metabolic conditions.  Listen to the full conversation to learn more about: Tailoring treatments to patients with PCOS Which supplements to utilize in a PCOS treatment protocol Common root causes and co-conditions The importance of securing Phase I and Phase II detox pathways How group visits can be a powerful aid to treatment

Michael Fishman is a top advisor on marketing and business growth, aiding successful health and wellness companies. He leads the Consumer Health Summit (CHS) annually, which is now in its 24th year, and acts as an angel investor for over 20 health and wellness businesses. With his expertise, he advises his clients on how to effectively formulate their brand messaging and ensure it is communicated consistently, from training team members to sharpening taglines and from online messaging to in-person trust. In this episode of the podcast, Michael shares with Kristen Brokaw the principles and psychology behind his guidance. Tune in if you'd like to learn more about: How and why you need to develop a powerful tagline Avoiding overselling or “trying too hard” in online marketing Ensuring that your message cannot be misunderstood by your audience Why patients also need to feel understood—emotionally and intellectually And much more!

Functional medicine providers have the best tools and scientific understanding of topics like immunology, the microbiome and mitochondria. This constellation of knowledge and tools makes functional and integrative doctors optimally equipped to address osteoarthritis. Dr. Thomas Guilliams is an expert in nutrition research and immunology, and he has written several books on the therapeutic uses of nutritional supplements. During this conversation, we hear about the gut-joint relationship and an expanded understanding of osteoarthritis. We also explore best practices for nutrition and supplementation alongside lifestyle modifications to resolve chronic conditions. Listen in to learn more about: The evolution of the scientific understanding of osteoarthritis Issues with nutrition and supplementation research Addressing autoinflammatory conditions (as differentiated from autoimmunity) Guilliams' take on the paleo dietary pattern And much more!

Josh Gunn, PhD is the Chief Scientific Officer for Ethos Laboratories. Ethos began with the mission to incorporate more functional medicine principles into conventional care and to help patients gain access to the root causes of their pain.  With a background in forensic toxicology, Dr. Gunn and the team have developed a new tool at Ethos called the Foundation Pain Index. The Pain Index is a biometric test designed to identify potential biochemical origins of patients' chronic pain. The test results categorize health insights in a way that is actionable for all physicians, even if they are not trained in functional medicine. This personalized method also acknowledges that patient recovery often requires a multimodal approach, including lifestyle and community considerations. Practitioners who run OAT tests or other labs may already have access to some of these data points, but uniquely, the Foundation Pain Index test is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans. This is especially important for chronic pain patients with a lower socioeconomic status because statistically they have been over-prescribed opioids. The full conversation is densely packed with insights such as: Socioeconomic factors are strong factors in opioid over prescription, misuse and abuse   Why it is essential to bring elements of functional medicine into conventional care How nutrient depletion may contribute to pain An interdisciplinary approach is required to help patients with chronic pain And much more

This week's podcast is a series of interviews with a handful of physicians who are involved with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). Dr. Luby is the Director of Medical Education Initiatives at IFM, which works to scale functional medicine and make it more accessible and easier to adopt into larger healthcare systems. The pandemic brought to light weaknesses in our healthcare system for which functional medicine offers solutions! Dr. Penn is an infectious disease specialist and works in epidemiology and infection prevention at Nebraska Methodist Hospital. He has worked closely with Dr. Luby, and Dr. Penn is planning to implement more of the IFM's principles into his healthcare system. Dr. Nancy Cutter and Sharon Williams are from the Veterans Affairs (VA) in New Jersey. They are also working towards integrating lifestyle medicine into their systems in part by utilizing group visits. Listen to the full panel discussion to learn more about: The benefits offered by functional medicine for the VA in New Jersey The problems in our healthcare system, which functional medicine can help How Nebraska Methodist Hospital has seen the IFM's principles improve their COVID outcomes And much, much more!

Our guest on this episode, Dr. Michael Ash, is a researcher who discusses lipid replacement therapy. The applications for this treatment include all fatigue related illnesses, including but not limited to environmental toxin exposure, Lyme disease and long COVID. Oxidative damage, which this therapy addresses, occurs in aging and all chronic and acute illness. When the immune system is activated (e.g., after an infection), mitochondria can be damaged. The defective mitochondria become swollen and leak electrons, which results in the oxidation of membranes. Oral lipid replacement therapy is used to remove and replace damaged membranes. Listen to this episode to learn: Mechanisms of action of inflammasomes What causes danger signals in cells Supplement dosing and sources of this nutrient through diet Symptoms and consequences of poor membrane health And much, much more!

Penney Stringer, a family medicine physician, shares her journey into functional medicine and her experiences moving in and out of conventional medicine. Dr. Stringer shares anecdotes from her exceptionally successful HealCommunity group. Listen in to hear Dr. Stringer and James explore:   The power of community in medicine How patients with chronic illness are underserved The importance of group support for behavior change And much, much more!

This Evolution of Medicine Podcast, Community in Action: The Evolution of Meetups, features Dr. Cynthia Thaik—the record-holder for the largest Functional Forum Meetup in Glendale, California. Tune in today to learn Dr. Thaik’s template for growing her Meetup from zero to over 180 people in no time, including: How she used the community-building principles she learned from EvoMed to get started strong—including opening events to the public The key strategic relationships they created with event venues, speakers, sponsors and patients that helped build their tribe The different formats they’ve used to galvanize their group and encourage collaboration Their most effective social media channel for promoting their Meetup Which surveys they used to get to know their audience and create targeted event topics to meet their needs And so much more Resources mentioned in this podcast: The kNew Vision Tour

This year, evolutionary anthropologist Kate Rusk began a streaming video science channel, called Inertia TV, that streams great science programming, including this program: Evolutionary Medicine with Joe Alcock MD. This episode was an introductory conversation on EvoMed between me, Joe Alcock, and Kate Rusk, recorded and live streamed in February 2018. Kate, Coffee Brown and I live streamed several episodes since then. The audio versions of all episodes will be released periodically over the next few weeks (video excerpts too). The link to Inertia TV on Twitch is www.twitch.tv/inertiatv_

In this week’s podcast, James interviews our COO and Chief Marketing Technologist Uli Iserloh, PhD on the top 5 things he learned from last week’s Functional Medicine Success Summit. Presented by Dr. Peter Osborne, this summit was headlined by our industry’s top practice development experts including Razi Berry, Dr. Sachin Patel, Dr. Matthew Loop and more. Tune in right now for the top 5 things we learned at the summit, plus Uli’s root-cause solutions for the most common practice ailments holding you back, including: How to do a quick practice health check-up to identify systemic insufficiencies within your structures and systems Discover the 3 “time thieves” robbing you of time, revenue and better patient outcomes The best “set-it-and-forget-it” way to showcase your expertise and make your practice stand out The 3 key tools you can use to address the most common chronic practice ailments at their root How to implement these tools to increase efficiency, shore up your systems and get your practice back on track The biggest thing we learned: with the massive demand for functional medicine upon us, practitioners can no longer afford to “just wing it”; you must have the right systems, support and strategies in place to thrive. Wondering what do to next? Schedule a free practice assessment with an EvoMed concierge here and discover the best next-steps for you. Want to go deeper? Check out our on-demand training here and learn Uli’s recommendations for optimal website set up and effective automated email marketing.

Today, we talk about one of my favorite topics- the gut! You may be hearing a lot about this subject as it becomes more and more known and studied- and for a good reason. We can literally influence our health and emotions with the foods we feed our gut. We’ll get into that.   On this podcast, I’ll share with you: -my favorite mind blowing facts about the gut -foods and approaches we can take to support the health of our “gut bugs” -things we can reduce or avoid in order to best provide a healthy “garden” for the gut bugs to flourish -things you can start to add or take away from your lifestyle TODAY so get you feeling your best   Show Notes: Your gut garden- 1:30 Gut facts- 101 2:18 We are what we absorb- 4:38 Acne, bloating, depression, oh my!- 6:57 What can you do?- 7:30 The 4 R Approach- 8:05 Check in with yourself- 16:00   As always, be sure you’re keeping up with me and HealThy Self Nutrition on social media to get all the latest info! Instagram: @amandarigbyRD Facebook: HealThy Self Nutrition, Inc.

One of my favorite moments from last year’s Fat Summit 2 was interviewing Dr. Stephanie Daniel about food, fat, sugar, and infertility. Dr. Daniel is a practicing physician and founder of Functional Medicine SF, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Daniel’s particular areas of interest and expertise are in women’s health and fertility and she has developed a 5-step approach to natural conception that she utilizes in her practice. She is the author of a book, Low-Stress Food: Eat Your Way to a Low Stress Life and spends her non-clinic time consulting for health tech start-ups like Ava Science and Metabolon, mentoring physicians in the practice of Functional Medicine and collaborating on the advancement of functional medicine with EvoMed. Last year, I interviewed Dr. Daniel about some very important subjects. In the clip from this interview, we discuss the following: One out of seven couples are dealing with infertility Five steps for dealing with infertility The role of nutrition in fertility and the importance of eating nutrient dense food The number one macronutrient for fertility One of the leading causes of infertility The importance of cholesterol I want to hear from you. Have you dealt with infertility? Comment on my Facebook page, and if you liked this video, share it with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. Also, tweet me your questions @MarkHymanMD, and maybe next week I’ll make a House Call to you. Wishing you health & happiness, Mark Hyman, MD