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What if the hormones meant to help you are the very thing making you feel worse? In this solo episode of Let’s Talk Wellness Now, Dr. Deb opens with a patient who started bioidentical hormones and, within three weeks, had panic attacks for the first time in her life. From there, she walks through the five systems that determine whether hormone therapy helps you or harms you and exactly what to address before you ever fill that prescription. If you have been told hormones are a simple fix, this episode reveals why readiness matters just as much as the prescription itself and how getting it right can change everything. In this episode, you will learn: Why estrogen has to be metabolized, and what happens when your liver cannot clear it fast enough How gut bacteria and beta-glucuronidase can recirculate the estrogen your body was trying to eliminate Why normal liver enzymes can still mean you are a poor estrogen metabolizer How estrogen can quietly make you functionally hypothyroid, and why TSH alone misses it The histamine connection behind hives, palpitations, anxiety, and panic on hormones The five-point checklist Dr. Deb runs before anyone in her practice starts HRT What Dr. Deb says:“The hormones aren’t the problem. The problem is whether your body is actually ready to receive them.”“Imagine you’re filling up a bathtub, but the drain is completely clogged. The water just keeps rising. That’s what’s happening when you add estrogen to a body that can’t clear it.” Timestamps:[00:01] A patient in tears: panic attacks three weeks into bioidentical hormones[02:30] Why estrogen is not a magic bullet, and the clogged bathtub analogy[04:53] Protective vs. problematic estrogen metabolites, and why testing matters[06:00] The gut connection: beta-glucuronidase and estrogen recirculation[09:42] The GI MAP, and why the gut has to be ready first[11:00] Liver phase one and phase two detox, and where the bottleneck forms[14:27] Thyroid: how estrogen can make you functionally hypothyroid[16:53] Histamine: the overlooked driver of hives, palpitations, and panic[20:00] The five-point checklist before touching hormones[24:50] The patient’s turnaround, and why HRT is a living protocol, not one and done Links:https://mdcustomrx.com/Fullscript: http://bit.ly/4fqqsPahttps://elliemd.com/DrDebMuth Connect with us:Website: https://www.letstalkwellness.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkwellnessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/letstalkwellnessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lets-talk-wellness-now/ Subscribe to Let’s Talk Wellness Now so you never miss an episode, and if this one opened your eyes, share it with someone who needs to hear it.The post Episode 277: Perimenopause Hormone Therapy Can Backfire. Here's Why. first appeared on Let's Talk Wellness Now.
Tracey O'Shea is a Functional Nurse Practitioner and Medical Director at the California Center for Functional Medicine who helps both patients and clinicians cut through the noise and connect the dots in complex chronic illness. Episode highlights:- Why women are not small men when it comes to longevity, cold exposure and metabolic flexibility - The main lifestyle pillars for aging well: building strength and muscle, sleep, and social connection - Supporting your body decade by decade: key priorities for your 20s, 30s and 40s - The role of comprehensive blood testing and DEXA scans to catch deficiencies early - Simple, actionable strategies for daily movement, protein intake, and protecting long-term vitality Connect with Tracey:- https://kresserinstitute.com/- https://www.ccfmed.com/- IG: @kresserinstitute- IG: @tracey_a_oshea_fnpConnect with me:- Free call: work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out my online course- DUTCH test (hormone test)- GI Map test (gut test) - Free resources- IG: @nutritionmoderation- TikTok: @nutritionmoderation- nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:- 15% off Eversio with code: ALEXKING - 15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE- 10% off at Pascoe using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries, email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
What if sustainable weight loss isn't about eating less, but about fixing what's happening beneath the surface? In this inspiring episode of the Health Detective Podcast, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P) Lori Balue shares how she transformed her health after decades of obesity, Metabolic Dysfunction, PCOS, Prediabetes, Depression, Anxiety, Chronic Inflammation, asthma, and failed dieting. Despite trying countless calorie-restricted diets, lasting results only came after addressing the hidden stressors driving her body's dysfunction. Lori explains how Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, Functional Lab Testing, and a Root Cause Healing approach helped uncover the underlying factors affecting her metabolism. Through Food Sensitivity Testing, GI-MAP analysis, HTMA mineral testing, metabolic typing, nervous system support, circadian rhythm optimization, and personalized nutrition, she developed a Functional Wellness strategy that ultimately helped her lose more than 100 pounds and maintain her results. During this conversation, Michele and Lori discuss why Metabolic Health is about far more than calories. They explore how chronic inflammation, Food Sensitivities, Gut Health, insulin resistance, protein intake, Blood Sugar regulation, Nervous System balance, and personalized Healing Protocols influence long-term health, body composition, and healthy aging. Lori also shares how removing inflammatory trigger foods, improving Gut Function, supporting Hormone Balance, restoring mineral status, and prioritizing protein transformed her energy, eliminated chronic asthma symptoms, reduced joint pain, improved mobility, and allowed her to confidently hike challenging mountain trails well into her sixties. Whether you're struggling with Weight Gain, PCOS, Prediabetes, Chronic Inflammation, Gut Dysfunction, Food Reactions, Metabolic Dysfunction, or simply want to optimize your health through Functional Medicine, Functional Nutrition, and evidence-based lifestyle strategies, this episode offers practical insights and real hope that lasting Health Transformation is possible at any age. ______________________________________ Join Us for the Health Coach Intensive Workshop Aug 10-27 2026 Click the Link for more Info ⤵️ http://fdntraining.com/healthcoach ______________________________________ Subscribe to the Health Detective Podcast for more conversations on Functional Health, Root Cause Medicine, Functional Diagnostics, Healthy Aging, and natural strategies for lifelong wellness. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes.
If you feel like you're doing everything right—working out, eating well, trying to manage your stress—but your body still isn't responding, you are not crazy. And you're not alone. Today on the podcast, I'm joined by Bria Gadd, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, holistic health coach, and certified personal trainer who specializes in female hormones. With more than 15 years of experience in the fitness and nutrition industry, Bria has helped thousands of women navigate the hormonal shifts of their late 30s to 50s. She is also the host of The Period Whisperer Podcast, a top 1% wellness podcast in the world, and has been featured in Fox News, Women's Health, and leading women's podcasts including The MidLife Makeover Show. We talk about the very real difference between being "not diseased" and actually being optimized, and why the conventional advice to "just push harder" is the exact opposite of what our bodies actually need. We dive deep into the concept of "health debt," why your body might be in survival mode, and how to start communicating with your body instead of fighting it. Whether you're actively in perimenopause, preparing for it, or just trying to figure out why you feel so exhausted, Bria shares the exact steps to start rebuilding your energy and trust in your body. In This Episode: Why doing "everything right" — cutting calories, working out harder — can actually backfire and cause weight gain and fatigue. Understanding "health debt" and how chronic stress puts the female body into survival mode. The critical difference between conventional lab testing and functional lab testing (and why your doctor might say you're "fine" when you feel terrible). Why perimenopause is actually a gift and an opportunity for a "2.0" phase of life, rather than something to dread. Bria's perspective on GLP-1s and peptides: when they are a helpful tool versus a dangerous quick fix. The specific functional labs to ask for: GI-MAP, DUTCH Complete, and a full thyroid panel. A realistic, hormone-supporting daily routine, including why you need 30 grams of protein at breakfast. Resources & Links: Connect with Bria: Instagram: @bria_period_whisperer Podcast: The Period Whisperer Website: briatheperiodwhisperer.com Special Offer for Figuring It Out Listeners - Midlife Mojo: Bria's online membership for women navigating perimenopause and menopause who are ready to stop guessing and start understanding their bodies. Inside you'll find her signature 90-Day Hormone Revival program, symptom-specific trainings in The Whisper Room, weekly live coaching and Q&A sessions, workouts, nutrition resources, recipes, guided meditations, peptide education, and a community of women walking this journey together. Try it free for 7 days.
The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com. In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Samantha Hamilton sits down with Jessica Spradley, RN, a former Navy corpsman, emergency department nurse, and Functional Nursing Program student who recently began working in a functional medicine clinic. Jessica shares how a simple curiosity about nutrition sparked a journey into functional medicine and ultimately transformed both her personal health and nursing career. Jessica discusses how she integrates functional nursing principles into the fast-paced emergency department by meeting patients where they are, providing practical nutrition education, recognizing root-cause patterns, and empowering patients with small, meaningful lifestyle changes. She also shares her personal experience with functional lab testing, the GI-MAP, and the elimination diet, along with how these tools changed her own health perspective. Whether you're an RN, nurse practitioner, military veteran, or healthcare professional wondering how functional nursing fits into traditional healthcare, this episode offers practical examples, career inspiration, and hope for a more fulfilling future in nursing.
In this episode of the Health Detective Podcast, Michele Scarlet sits down with recent FDN graduate Jaime Dadd to unpack what a GI Map test finally revealed after a lifetime of guessing: H. pylori, low pancreatic elastase, bacterial overgrowth, and gut inflammation that had likely been building since her teenage years. In this episode: Why bloating and gas on a clean diet almost always point somewhere deeper than food What low stomach acid looks like decades before anyone connects the dots How ten rounds of antibiotics for recurring mastitis reshaped her gut What her GI Map, MRT, and cortisol results actually showed The blood sugar and inflammation thread running through her whole story Her breast cancer diagnosis at 45, and the shame that came with being "the healthy one" Why healthy on paper and healthy in your labs are not the same thing Six months after running her own labs and following her protocol, the gas is gone, the headaches are gone, and the afternoon crash is gone. Connect with Jaime Instagram: @functionally_well_with_jaime For health coaches and practitioners Want to investigate root causes like these for your own clients? Join our free Health Coach Intensive Workshop and see how FDN Practitioners use functional lab testing to guide real results. http://fdntraining.com/healthcoach Medical disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. FDN Practitioners do not diagnose or treat disease. They investigate, coach, guide, and address underlying imbalances. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your health protocol.
Could your gut be playing a bigger role in your missing period than you realize? In this episode, I'm joined by Lauren Furgiuele, Registered Dietitian and lead dietitian inside Nourished Fertility, to break down one of our favorite functional lab tests: the GI-MAP stool test. We unpack what this test actually measures, why gut health matters for hormone recovery and fertility, and how hidden gut issues could be making it harder for your body to ovulate and get your period back. You'll learn why digestion is about so much more than bloating, what common findings like H. pylori or low digestive enzymes can mean, and why the goal isn't to fear food or eliminate everything—but to understand what's happening inside your body so you can support true healing. In this episode, we cover: What the GI-MAP stool test measures How gut health impacts hormones and fertility Signs your digestion may not be functioning optimally Common gut imbalances we see in women with period loss Why testing beats guessing when it comes to gut health How GI-MAP testing is now included as a bonus inside Premier Period Recovery for Fertility If you're ready to stop guessing and finally understand what's happening inside your body, this episode is for you. Loved this episode? If this conversation helped you better understand how to nourish your body for fertility, please take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who's trying to conceive. Ready to restore your fertility naturally? If your period is missing, irregular, or you've been told IVF is your only option because you're not ovulating, know that you don't have to navigate this alone. Inside our coaching programs, we help women restore ovulation, rebuild trust with food and exercise, and nourish their bodies for pregnancy through an evidence-based, root-cause approach. Learn more about working with us at Nourished Fertility and take the first step toward getting your period back and growing your family.
FRUITFUL FERTILITY | Holistic fertility support, Trying to conceive, Fertility coaching
If you've been told your labs are "normal" and you're still stuck — I think this episode is going to click something into place for you. I sat down with Danielle Goobie, registered holistic nutritionist and GI Map specialist, to talk about the connection nobody's checking: your gut. We talk about why eating clean isn't the same as absorbing what you eat, why your hormones might be getting stuck in a recirculation loop instead of leaving your body, and how you can get support and answers. Connect with Danielle: thenourishedway.ca | Instagram @nourishedway (00:41) Danielle's Story — From Painful Periods to Gut Health Expert (06:53) How Gut Health Impacts Your Hormones and Fertility (12:11) Signs Your Gut Might Be Behind Your Hormone Issues (16:40) What Is a GI Map? How It's Different From Bloodwork and HTMA (22:10) The Most Common Gut Patterns Danielle Sees in Women with Hormone Imbalances (25:47) Why Pooping Every Day Matters More Than You Think (26:27) 3 Simple Gut Health Tips You Can Start Today Top Listener Questions Answered: Why am I bloated even when I eat clean? Can gut health really affect my fertility and hormones? What's the difference between a GI Map and regular bloodwork? Keywords: gut health and fertility, GI Map test, hormone imbalance, gut hormone connection, unexplained infertility, holistic fertility Unexplained Infertility Breakthrough Masterclass Free masterclass Grab the Low Progesterone Playbook Get it here Shop my favorite fertility-boosting supplements Rise + Source Let's work together: Work with me DM me on Instagram: @fruitfulfertilityco
20 million people have a thyroid condition and 60% don't even know it — because the labs your doctor runs are barely scratching the surface of what's actually going on. In today's episode of The Wellness Effect, Kira breaks down how the thyroid actually works — from the brain-driven HPT axis to the T4-to-T3 conversion process — and why "normal" TSH doesn't mean your thyroid is fine. The trio unpacks what really drives thyroid dysfunction (stress, gut health, liver congestion, blood sugar, minerals, toxins, and autoimmunity), plus which labs to actually ask for and what to do if your doctor won't run them. Key Takeaways TSH isn't a thyroid hormone — it's a signal from your brain, and a "normal" TSH can still hide real dysfunction in T3, reverse T3, or antibody levels. Most thyroid hormone conversion happens outside the thyroid — 60-70% in the liver, 20% in the gut — so liver and gut health are often the real root cause. Minerals (iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium) are required raw materials for thyroid hormone production and conversion, not optional extras. Chapters [00:00] - Intro: Why Thyroid Issues Are So Common [01:24] - What Your Thyroid Actually Does [04:50] - The HPT Axis: How Your Brain Controls Your Thyroid [07:50] - T4 vs T3: How Thyroid Hormone Is Made [13:57] - Reverse T3 Explained [19:19] - The Thyroid Labs You Should Ask For [24:46] - Hypothyroid vs Hyperthyroid Symptoms [30:21] - What's Really Driving Thyroid Dysfunction [35:46] - The Minerals Your Thyroid Needs [44:32] - Toxins, Autoimmunity & Hashimoto's [52:02] - What To Actually Do About It [57:18] - Why Working With a Practitioner Matters Resources & Mentions HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing GI Map testing Related episode: previous toxic/low-tox living episode hosted by Lacey (referenced re: environmental toxins) Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk to your own physician before making decisions about cancer screening, testing, or treatment.TL;DR* A healthy 58-year-old gets a routine full-body scan, finds a “cancer” that would never have hurt him, and ends up with permanent incontinence from unnecessary treatment. This is more common than most people realize.* Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, a Dartmouth-trained cancer epidemiologist, spent 30 years documenting overdiagnosis — the discovery of cancers that meet the technical definition but would never have caused harm. His estimate: roughly 60% of PSA-detected prostate cancers and 25% of mammography-detected breast cancers fall into this category.* The “5-year survival rate” you hear cited as proof screening saves lives is often distorted by lead-time bias — finding a cancer earlier can make survival numbers look better without adding a single day to anyone's life.* Not all screening is suspect. Colonoscopy, low-dose CT for high-risk smokers, and cervical cancer screening (Pap/HPV) have strong randomized-trial evidence behind them.* The piece conventional screening misses: metabolic health. A 2026 Nature Communications study using machine learning on UK biobank data linked insulin resistance to increased risk across at least 12 cancer types — independent of body weight — and standard checkups rarely test for it.* Want a personalized look at your own metabolic terrain? Book a Metabolic Audit Call — link in show notes, spots limited weekly.The Test That Didn't Save His LifePicture a 58-year-old man. Healthy weight, active, doesn't smoke, feels completely fine. He goes in for a routine total-body scan — the kind now available at imaging centers with no doctor's referral required. Two hours later, a radiologist flags a small spot on his prostate.Six months, two biopsies, and one surgery later, he has a diagnosis: permanent incontinence. And the cancer itself? “Clinically insignificant.” It almost certainly would never have caused him harm. He would have lived out a full life and died of something else entirely, never knowing it was there.The test didn't save his life. It changed it — for the worse.This scenario happens thousands of times a year, and it's exactly what Dr. H. Gilbert Welch — a general internist, cancer epidemiologist, and senior researcher at Brigham and Women's Hospital — spent his career warning about. His book, Should I Be Tested for Cancer?, makes a case that runs against decades of public health messaging: more testing is not automatically better testing, and early detection does not automatically mean lives saved.This article unpacks what Welch got right, where his argument leaves a gap, and what a more complete, proactive approach to cancer risk actually looks like.The Cancer Reservoir: Why Finding More Doesn't Mean Saving MoreFor decades, the operating assumption in medicine has been simple: catch cancer early, save the life. No asterisk, no nuance.Welch's research complicates that. His central idea is the cancer reservoir — the observation that most people carry small clusters of abnormal cells somewhere in their bodies right now. In the prostate, thyroid, breast, or lung. Under a microscope, these cells look like cancer. But many of them will never grow, never spread, and never threaten a life. A person could carry one for thirty years and die at 87 of heart disease, never knowing it existed.The problem is that increasingly sensitive tools — full-body scans, PSA tests, low-dose CT — are very good at finding these dormant clusters. And once something is found and labeled “cancer,” the medical system is built to treat it.Welch's numbers, drawn from randomized trial data, are striking: approximately 60% of PSA-detected prostate cancers are overdiagnosed, meaning they meet the technical definition of cancer but would never have caused symptoms or death. For mammography-detected breast cancers, the estimate is around 25% — meaning roughly one in four women treated for a screen-detected breast cancer may never have needed that treatment: the chemotherapy, the radiation, the surgery, the fear, the financial cost.This isn't an anti-medicine argument. It's a call for a conversation that rarely happens: here's the case for this test, and here's the case against it — here's what we might find that helps you, and here's what we might find that sets off a chain reaction you'll spend years managing. For most patients, that conversation never occurs.The 5-Year Survival Stat Is Misleading YouFive-year survival rates for cancer are often cited as evidence that screening works — and they sound like exactly that. But Welch shows why the number can be deceptive, and it comes down to lead-time bias.Here's the mechanism. Imagine a woman whose cancer will kill her at 65, regardless of when it's found. If screening catches it at 62, she lives three years with the diagnosis before dying at 65 — a five-year survival rate under five years. But if that same cancer isn't found until symptoms appear at 64, she lives one year with the diagnosis and dies at 65 — a five-year survival rate of zero.Same woman. Same cancer. Same date of death. But the version of her found earlier through screening appears, statistically, to have “survived longer.” Screening didn't add a single day to her life — it just moved up the start date of her diagnosis. It's the equivalent of claiming a win in a race because someone moved your starting line 200 meters ahead of everyone else's: you didn't run faster, you just started earlier. The finish line never moved.Now layer in overdiagnosis. If 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancers that would never have hurt them, and all 1,000 are alive five years later — which they would have been regardless — the survival statistics look dramatically better without a single life actually being saved. Welch's research shows that 5-year survival rates can climb while actual cancer death rates stay flat. More survivors on paper. Same number of people dying.None of this means medicine isn't making genuine progress in some cancers — colon cancer being a clear example, discussed below. It does mean that 5-year survival statistics, on their own, are not proof that a screening program is saving lives.Where the Evidence for Screening Is Actually StrongIt would be a mistake to leave this discussion thinking all screening is suspect. Welch himself is careful to draw a distinction, and there are tests with solid, randomized-trial evidence behind them.Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer is arguably the strongest case for screening that exists. It's unique because it doesn't just detect cancer — it can prevent it, by removing precancerous polyps before they ever become malignant. Colon cancer incidence and mortality have both dropped measurably in populations with high screening rates. If you're 45 or older, or have a family history, this is worth a serious conversation with your doctor.Low-dose CT for lung cancer, in high-risk individuals specifically, showed a 15–20% reduction in lung cancer deaths in the National Lung Screening Trial — but only among heavy smokers (roughly a pack a day for 20+ years). The risk-benefit math works because the baseline risk in that population is high.Cervical cancer screening — Pap smears and HPV testing — is a genuine public health success story. Rates have dropped dramatically since routine screening began, because cervical cancer has a long, slow, detectable precancerous stage that can be caught before it turns invasive.The common thread: these screenings either catch a long, slow precancerous process, or they target a population where the risk is already high enough that the math clearly favors testing. That's the question worth bringing to your doctor: given my specific risk factors, does the math on this test work in my favor?By contrast, the evidence is much weaker for consumer-marketed total-body scans, full-body MRI as a general “optimization” tool, universal PSA screening in all men over 50, and mammography in average-risk women in their 40s. These aren't mandates — they're conversations, and informed consent means understanding both sides before deciding.The Harms Nobody Talks AboutHealthcare marketing tends to present testing as one-sided: test early, catch it early, save your life. Welch's research catalogs the costs that rarely make it into that pitch.False positives. A mammogram flags a shadow. It isn't cancer — but you don't know that yet. Six weeks of follow-up imaging, maybe a biopsy, and the stress hormones flooding your body during that stretch are a real physiological cost, even when the final answer is “you're fine.”Unnecessary treatment. When a cancer that would never have caused harm is treated anyway — with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy — the harm is real and the benefit is zero.The cancer label itself. Research shows that being labeled a cancer patient, even for a cancer that's never actively treated, changes a person's psychology, relationships, insurability, and life trajectory. Welch identifies this as a form of harm medicine rarely accounts for.Radiation exposure. Repeated CT scans carry cumulative radiation risk. A full-body scan can expose a person to the radiation equivalent of hundreds of chest X-rays — a real risk added to the body in pursuit of a cancer that may never develop.Welch's central reframe: the question isn't “should I get tested,” it's “given my risk factors, my age, my family history, and my values, does the math on this specific test work in my favor?” That's informed consent — and most people never get that conversation.The Missing Piece: Your Metabolism Is an Early Warning SystemWelch's work is thorough on what not to do. Where it leaves a gap is the proactive question: if blanket screening of healthy people isn't the answer, what is?The answer lies in the years — sometimes decades — before a tumor ever forms. Cancer doesn't appear overnight. The cellular environment that allows it to take root and grow develops gradually, and it leaves metabolic fingerprints long before any scan could detect a tumor.The clearest evidence for this comes from a 2026 study published in Nature Communications, which used machine learning on a massive UK database and linked insulin resistance to a significantly increased risk of at least 12 types of cancer. Pancreatic cancer risk was elevated by roughly 29%, colon cancer by 18%, and breast cancer by 13% — and critically, this risk showed up independent of body weight. A person at a healthy weight can still be carrying the metabolic dysfunction that drives cancer risk, and a standard annual physical would miss it entirely, because most doctors check fasting glucose, not fasting insulin. By the time glucose is elevated, insulin regulation has often been off for years.Layer in chronic inflammation (measured by hs-CRP), elevated ferritin, low vitamin D, rising homocysteine, and a poor triglyceride-to-HDL ratio, and what emerges is a picture of a metabolic environment that is increasingly hospitable to cancer. Think of it as soil: a healthy garden doesn't grow weeds easily, but depleted, imbalanced soil invites them. Cancer is the weed. Metabolic dysfunction is the depleted soil. The strategy, then, is to work on the soil rather than wait to spot the weed.What to Actually Do About ItPath A: Testing to ask your provider forThese tests build a real metabolic picture — the kind that shows soil quality before any weed appears.* Fasting insulin + HOMA-IR — not just fasting glucose. This is likely the single most important test most doctors aren't ordering.* Hemoglobin A1c — your 3-month blood sugar average.* hs-CRP — a high-sensitivity marker of systemic inflammation.* Full lipid panel, including TG/HDL ratio — a ratio above 3 is a strong metabolic red flag.* Ferritin — elevated levels are increasingly linked to inflammatory cancer environments.* Vitamin D (25-OH) — low levels are associated with higher cancer risk across multiple types; optimal is 60–80 ng/mL, not just “in range.”* Homocysteine — a methylation marker that, when elevated, signals oxidative stress.* LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) — rises when cells are under metabolic stress.For a deeper look, consider a comprehensive nutrient and organic acids panel (NutrEval), a gut microbiome panel (GI-MAP) — the gut-cancer connection is real — and a full hormone panel including cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and SHBG.Path B: Lifestyle changes to start today* Eat in this order: protein and fat first, vegetables second, starches last. This alone can meaningfully blunt post-meal blood sugar spikes.* Cut refined sugars and seed oils — the two most direct dietary drivers of insulin resistance and inflammation.* Move daily. At minimum, 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, resistance training twice a week, and even a 10-minute walk after meals to improve glucose metabolism.* Prioritize sleep. Poor sleep disrupts glucose metabolism after a single bad night. Seven to nine hours is non-negotiable for metabolic health.* Manage stress. Chronic cortisol elevation drives insulin resistance — this is biochemistry, not soft advice.You don't need to do all of this at once. Pick one test to ask for at your next appointment, and one lifestyle change to start this week.Summary & Next StepDr. Welch's research makes an uncomfortable but important case: early detection is not automatically synonymous with lives saved, the 5-year survival statistic can be misleading, and testing healthy people carries real costs — false positives, unnecessary treatment, radiation exposure, and the psychological weight of a cancer label. At the same time, some screenings — colonoscopy, cervical cancer screening, low-dose CT for high-risk smokers — have strong evidence behind them and are worth pursuing for the right person.What's missing from that picture is a proactive strategy, and that's where metabolic health comes in. Insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and blood sugar dysregulation show up years before cancer does, and unlike a full-body scan, they're both measurable and fixable.If you want a clear picture of where your own metabolic terrain stands — and what your highest-leverage next steps are — book a Metabolic Audit Call. It's a complementary 45-minute session where we review your current labs, symptoms, health history, and goals together. Spots are limited each week; the link is in the show notes.References* Welch, H.G. Should I Be Tested for Cancer? Maybe Not and Here's Why. University of California Press.* National Lung Screening Trial Research Team. Reduced lung-cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomographic screening.* Nature Communications (2026). Machine learning analysis of UK biobank data linking insulin resistance to increased risk across 12 cancer types, independent of body weight.* Thrive 120 Podcast, Episode 126: “Should I Be Tested for Cancer? What Dr. Welch Got Right — And What He Missed,” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tripleplaydoc.substack.com/subscribe
Dr. Heather and I just did something we've never done on this podcast before. Can two hormone practitioners actually guess a client's gut test results just from her symptoms alone?That's the game we played on this week's episode, and honestly, neither of us knew if we'd end up looking brilliant or completely humbled. We took a real client case, someone newer to us who we barely knew yet, and we called our shots on her labs before opening a single result: just her age, her symptoms, and a peek at how she eats.Then we pulled up her actual GI-MAP and Full Monty panel live and found out exactly how close we got.It's part detective game, part science breakdown, part two friends arguing over bacteria names we can barely pronounce. We nerded out for almost forty minutes on one test, and it's one of my favorite episodes we've ever recorded.Here's what we get into:Why a client eating clean, whole foods can still be bloated, exhausted, and moody for a full week before her periodThe gut bacteria and mood connection that had Heather and me both going Wait, say that againWhat a low SigA marker can tell you about immune function, gut lining, and even fertilityWhy a history of constipation is one of the first things we flag before we even look at a testHow H. pylori and low stomach acid quietly sabotage digestion without you ever knowing it's happeningWhether our predictions actually matched her real results, or if one of us had to eat some serious wordsIf you've ever sat there staring at labs that say normal while your body is screaming otherwise, I made this one for you. Normal doesn't mean thriving. It just means you landed somewhere inside a range built for the general population, not built for you.This client's story is honestly so relatable it's almost funny. She's doing everything "right." Four eggs, good fats, whole foods, eating at home most nights. And she's still dealing with a full week of PMS symptoms before her period even shows up. Low energy. Irritability. Some days that dip into sadness she can't explain. If you've been there, wondering why doing all the right things isn't fixing how you feel, this episode walks through the actual why behind it.What made this one so fun (and honestly a little vulnerable for both of us) is that Heather and I had to commit to our guesses out loud before we had any idea if we were right. She'd say something like "I think Morganella is going to be high" and I'm sitting there going, nothing crazy, and then we just had to wait and see who got humbled first. Turns out guessing is a lot easier when your name isn't on the test.We talk through her gut bacteria levels, what butyrate actually does for your mood (it's more connected to how you feel emotionally than people realize), and how low good bacteria can quietly wear down your gut lining without a single obvious symptom pointing you there. We also break down beta-glucuronidase, which sounds intimidating but is really just the marker that tells you whether your body is clearing estrogen properly or pulling it back in for a rerun nobody asked for.Then there's the SigA conversation, which might be my favorite part of the whole episode. That one marker says so much about whether your immune system has any fight left in it, and it matters even more if you're trying to conceive. We really go there.What I love most about this episode is the reminder that you don't have to have sixteen different problems to explain why you feel off. A lot of the time it really is one or two things: bile flow, mineral depletion, a gut lining that needs some love, quietly running the whole show behind the scenes. Once you can actually see what's happening, the fix is usually a lot less complicated than you'd expect.So if you've been staring at your own "normal" results, feeling confused about why your body doesn't feel normal at all, or if you just want to sit in on two practitioners guessing, bickering a little, and geeking out over gut bacteria in real time, hit play.Guess along with us. See if your gut instinct beats ours.CONNECT WITH DR. HEATHER:WebsiteIG: @drheatherrhodesNEED HELP FIXING YOUR HORMONES? CHECK OUT MY RESOURCES:Fix Your Breakfast Secret PodcastNourish Tracker - Discount code: HAPPILYHORMONALBook a FREE Hormone Strategy Call with meGrab your Happily Hormonal Quick Start GuideHormone Imbalance Quiz - Find out which of the top 3 hormone imbalances affects you most!Join Nourish Your Hormones Coaching for the step-by-step and my eyes on YOUR hormones for the next 4 months.Send us a text with episode feedback or ideas! (We can't respond to texts unless you include contact info but always read them)Don't forget to subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more women looking for answers.Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.This podcast is for women and moms to learn how to balance hormones naturally in motherhood, to have pain-free periods, increased fertility, to decrease PMS mood swings, and to increase energy without restrictive diet plans. You'll learn how to balance blood sugar, increase progesterone naturally, understand the root cause of estrogen dominance, irregular periods, PCOS, insulin resistance, hormonal acne, post birth-control syndrome, and conceive naturally. We use a pro-metabolic, whole food, root cause approach to functional women's health and focus on truly holistic health and mind-body connection.If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll like ours too! Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, Just Ingredients Podcast, Wellness Mama, The Dr Josh Axe Show, Are You Menstrual Podcast, The Model Health Show, Grounded Wellness By Primally Pure, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, Simple Farmhouse Life with Lisa Bass
The Perfect Stool Understanding and Healing the Gut Microbiome
In this episode, Amy Hollenkamp, RD challenges some common assumptions about gut testing, including the reliability and clinical usefulness of tests like the GI-MAP and SIBO breath testing. We dive into the complexities of post-infectious IBS, discuss prokinetics and the SIBO-antimicrobial rabbit hole, examine how nutrient deficiencies can contribute to digestive symptoms and explore why strengthening the immune system may be a key piece of the gut-healing puzzle. Lindsey Parsons, your host, helps clients solve gut issues and reverse autoimmune disease naturally. Take her quiz to see which stool or functional medicine test will help you find out what's wrong. She's a Certified Health Coach at High Desert Health in Tucson, Arizona. She coaches clients locally and nationwide. You can also follow Lindsey on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Pinterest, Mastodon or X, or reach her via email at lindsey@highdeserthealthcoaching.com to set up your free 30-minute Gut Healing Breakthrough Session. Show Notes
Are we missing the most important piece of the menopause puzzle by focusing only on hormones? In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, Margaret Floyd Barry is joined by Cynthia Thurlow—nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and internationally recognized expert on women's metabolic health and menopause. Together, they dive into the groundbreaking concepts behind Cynthia Thurlow's latest book, The Menopause Gut, exploring the complex interplay between hormones, the gut microbiome, and the immune system during perimenopause and beyond. Through personal stories and clinical insights, they unpack why midlife brings such profound shifts in women's health, why common approaches often fail, and what innovative strategies practitioners can use to better support clients through hormonal transitions. Inside this episode, we explore: Why declining estrogen affects far more than hot flashes The hidden connection between the gut, hormones, and immune system How Cynthia's personal health crisis transformed her clinical perspective Practical strategies for supporting women through perimenopause Why stress and trauma deserve a place in every menopause conversation Clinical pearls that can immediately improve client care The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health. Want to learn more? Gut cases are some of the most complex you'll see in practice. The symptom picture is rarely straightforward, and knowing where to start makes a real difference in how quickly clients move. Grab the free quick reference guide covering the 5 essential considerations for full digestive healing, including common symptom presentations, correlated lab markers on the GI-MAP stool test, and therapeutic considerations to help you build a clearer clinical picture. It's a practical tool worth keeping close when you're working through a complex GI case. Download it free here! Connect with IRH: Upcoming Event: PCOS has a new official name: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. The science isn't new. Functional practitioners have understood the metabolic and hormonal complexity of these cases for years. The name just finally says so. On August 12th, Margaret Floyd Barry and Sara Fields are hosting a free live session on what this means for your practice. What shifts in how you assess and talk with female clients. What stays the same. Live Q&A at the end. Free. 60 minutes. Register here! Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/ For educational content and updates on current events, join our email list here. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow: Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiathurlowofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cynthiathurlow Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-wellness-midlife-hormones-menopause-and/id1435214303 To buy her new book, The Menopause Gut, visit: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/the-menopause-gut Timestamps: 00:00 Health crisis and hospitalization 07:25 Understanding the gut's broader impacts 14:58 Understanding long-term effects of contraceptives 17:36 Discussing oral contraceptives and health risks 24:34 Hormonal changes and immune system effects 29:46 Menopause and microbiome changes 36:03 Improving sleep with lifestyle changes 37:45 Discussing microbiome testing benefits 44:07 Balancing hormones and mental health 51:38 Sponsor acknowledgments and health tools 57:29 Discussing responsible product usage 01:01:12 Working with middle-aged women Speaker bio: Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, and internationally recognized expert in perimenopause, menopause, and women's metabolic health. She is the host of the top-rated Everyday Wellness podcast, CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, and author of The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond. With over 25 years of clinical experience and a TEDx talk surpassing 15 million views, Cynthia is dedicated to translating cutting-edge research on the gut-hormone axis and women's longevity into practical strategies that empower women to thrive in midlife and beyond. Keywords: functional health practitioners, perimenopause, menopause, women's metabolic health, gut health, gut microbiome, estrobolome, estrogen, progesterone, immune system, hormone replacement therapy, HRT, autoimmune conditions, gut permeability, digestive function, bile acids, beta glucuronidase, inflammation, neurotransmitters, oral contraceptives, chronic disease, microbiome testing, adverse childhood events, trauma, sleep hygiene, stress management, GLP1s, constipation, urinary tract infections, vaginal estrogen Disclaimer: The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.
You asked your doctor for help. You got your blood work. You were told everything is normal. And you walked out feeling more confused than when you walked in, because if nothing is wrong, why do you still feel terrible? In this episode, I'm walking you through every lab I use to uncover weight loss resistance, what I'm looking for on each one, and why your doctor and I can look at the exact same numbers and come to completely different conclusions.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:Why "your labs are normal" doesn't mean your body is functioning optimally, and the real difference between diagnosable and suboptimalWhy cutting calories below 1,500 when you're already weight loss resistant creates a brand new problem instead of a solutionWhat the DUTCH test shows us that a standard blood draw simply can't: what you're producing, how you're using it, and how you're detoxing itWhy the GI MAP is my favorite test of all, and why your gut is usually the environment your hormones are responding toThe energy conversion markers most women never get checked: vitamin D, a full iron panel, and B12Why a TSH alone is not a thyroid panel, and the five markers I want to see insteadThe blood sugar trio (fasting insulin, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C) and why fasting insulin is the one that tells the truthWhat an abnormal lipid panel in midlife is really telling you (hint: it's almost never your red meat)Why I don't put much weight on a normal CRP when your symptoms are telling a different storyTIMESTAMPS: 01:15 Welcome to Part 3: Getting the Data 02:05 Why Your Doctor Says "Normal" and I Say "Suboptimal" 04:17 When Eating Less Stops Working (And Starts Causing Harm) 06:34 Labs End the Guesswork Spiral 08:55 Data + Belief: Why Women Shift Fast When They Can See the Why 09:45 The DUTCH Test: Hormones, Cortisol Rhythm, and Detox Pathways 13:11 The GI MAP: Gut Lining, Digestive Capacity, and the Real Story on Pathogens 15:30 Vitamin D: The Hormone Pretending to Be a Vitamin 17:41 The Full Iron Panel: Your Energy Conversion Marker 19:37 Vitamin B12 and the Gut Absorption Connection 20:40 The Full Thyroid Panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and Antibodies 24:22 Fasting Insulin, Fasting Glucose, and Hemoglobin A1C 26:42 The Lipid Panel: It's Blood Sugar and Muscle, Not Your Eggs 27:50 CBC, CMP, and CRP: The Foundation Check 29:05 How the Midsummer Reset Targets Low-Grade Inflammation 30:51 You're Not Crazy, Lazy, or Lacking Discipline. This Is Data.RESOURCES:
A parasite cleanse gone wrong once left Elizabeth Aylor bleeding seventeen times a day, and it took her thirty years to build the gut healing framework she now teaches thousands of women. The holistic nutritionist, GAPS practitioner, and functional diagnostic nutrition specialist joins me to break down why so many gut protocols make people sicker instead of better.Elizabeth Aylor is a holistic nutritionist, GAPS practitioner, and certified functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner who has worked with over 3,000 women on chronic gut issues. She explains why generic probiotics and greens powders can worsen SIBO and histamine issues, and why she relies on GI-MAP stool testing and full thyroid panels instead of guessing. She describes how biofilms shield parasites, yeast, and bacteria like H. pylori and Klebsiella from treatment, and why aggressive kill protocols without addressing nutrition and the nervous system can cause serious harm. She also covers why elimination diets like carnivore and low FODMAP should not extend past six to eight weeks, why GLP-1 medications often lead to weight regain without strength training and proper nutrition, and how she uses DUTCH testing to address insulin resistance and perimenopausal weight loss resistance.Elizabeth also shares her own thirty-year health history, from childhood eczema and asthma to an eating disorder that dropped her to ninety pounds, and the extreme fruitarian and carnivore diets that nearly destroyed her gut before she built her own ninety-day recovery protocol.If you've ever done everything right and still can't fix your gut or lose the weight, this conversation walks through what most protocols miss, and what actually works instead.Elizabeth talks about:4:00 Childhood Eczema, Asthma, and Anxiety6:00 Eating Disorder and Fruitarian Dieting9:00 150 Colonics, a Parasite Diagnosis10:00 Her Own 90-Day Gut Protocol12:00 Mold Toxicity, Thyroid Misdiagnosis18:00 Why Probiotics and Greens Powders Backfire22:00 A $10K Protocol, Near-Bedridden Bleeding23:00 Interpreting Complex Stool Test Results26:00 Why Elimination Diets Stop Working31:00 Biofilms and Failed Parasite Protocols38:00 DUTCH Testing and Insulin Resistance41:00 Why GLP-1s Don't Fix Metabolism✨ Learn more about how to live a long and pain-free life: https://joykongmd.com/ Additional Resources✨ Follow Elizabeth Aylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethaylorfitness/?hl=en ✨ Follow Elizabeth Aylor on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethaylorfitness Visit My Clinic: Chara Health
Welcome back to Health, Harmony, and Heather, the podcast dedicated to exploring the human condition, total body wellness, and finding our innermost truth and freedom. In this episode, host Heather reunites with renowned longevity and gut microbiome specialist, Dr. Daryl Gioffre, for a deep dive into an issue affecting millions: the gut health epidemic. Many people view acid reflux or chronic stomach discomfort as a minor nuisance, but Dr. Gioffre explains why masking these warning signs with over-the-counter medications can actually worsen the root cause and lead to long-term issues like leaky gut, diverticulitis, or even more severe chronic illnesses. Together, they break down the common misconceptions surrounding stomach acid, the lifestyle choices fueling our toxic internal environments, and how you can take control of your biological destiny through intentional self-care. The "Second Brain" Epidemic: Why conventional medicine often chases downstream symptoms while ignoring the crucial role of the gut microbiome. The Acid Reflux Misconception: Discover why acid reflux is rarely a problem of too much acid, but rather acid moving the wrong way through a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The WMD's SSS Diet: Dr. Gioffre outlines the "Weapons of Mass Destruction" diet—wheat, meat (low quality), dairy, sugar, seed oils, and refined salt—and how to substitute them for gut-healing foods. The Ultimate Two-Week Leaky Gut Protocol: A step-by-step breakdown using George's aloe vera, sovereign silver, and spore-based probiotics to rapidly repair your gut wall. Health Span vs. Lifespan: Understanding the difference between crisis care and healthcare, and why building "gut ninjas" is your best defense against aging, stress, and environmental toxins. Special Tribe Discount: Dr. Gioffre is offering listeners 15% off his premium supplement line (including Gut Punch and Acid-Kicking Coffee) and his specialized gut testing packages (GI Map and MRT food sensitivity test). Visit getoffyouracid.com and use the promo code HEATHER15 at checkout, or DM Dr. Gioffre on Instagram at @drdarylgioffre and mention this episode to set up your one-on-one test review! Connect with your health, listen to your body's warning signs, and join us on the ride toward true longevity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Menopause weight loss resistance is often misunderstood as lifestyle failure—but it's really hormonal signaling. In this powerful conversation, Lisa Fischer sits down with Bria Gadd to unpack the hidden hormonal shifts happening in perimenopause and menopause. They break down why symptoms like heart palpitations, insomnia, brain fog, and sugar cravings often start as early as a woman's 30s—not her 50s. Bria explains how declining progesterone and fluctuating estrogen act as early warning signals, while Lisa shares her lived experience navigating thyroid dysfunction that conventional medicine initially missed. Together they reveal why standard lab work often fails women and how functional testing like GI-MAP, Dutch hormone testing, and full metabolic blood panels provide a more complete picture. The conversation also explores estrogen metabolism pathways, gut-liver detox balance, and why hormone replacement therapy—when personalized—can be protective for the brain, heart, and long-term vitality.
In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, we're presenting a special case study discussion from our recent Clinical Success Showcase event in June. Host Kristin Whitaker is joined by Caitlin Fierro, who was a member of the audience 2 years ago when we did our first Clinical Success Showcase. Since then, she has gone through our program and now is rocking it so much in her practice she's actually TEACHING this material on the Showcase! Caitlin shares an in-depth case study of a toddler struggling with eczema, mood swings, restless nights, and chronic digestive discomfort. She walks us through the nuanced process of functional testing, personalized protocols, and the important role of parental support in achieving transformational results. From uncovering the hidden links between gut health and skin conditions, to spotlighting the crucial nuances of working with children versus adults, this episode is packed with actionable insights and clinical pearls for practitioners and parents alike. In this interview, we discuss: How a root-cause functional medicine approach transformed a toddler's severe eczema, poor sleep, digestive issues, and mood in just 12 weeks. Why functional testing can reveal hidden drivers of pediatric skin conditions that diet changes alone may miss. The surprising connection between blood sugar regulation, children's behavior, sleep, and emotional wellbeing. Why eczema, gut health, food sensitivities, and even environmental mold exposure should be considered together in complex pediatric cases. Practical strategies for helping parents successfully implement nutrition and supplement protocols with young children. How combining clinical history, symptoms, and functional lab testing leads to more personalized protocols and better client outcomes. Discover the 5 Essentials for Digestive Healing Are you tired of struggling with digestive issues and not finding a solution for yourself or your clients? We understand how frustrating and debilitating it can be. That's why we've created this quick reference guide to help you get started on your journey to digestive healing. In it you'll learn: The 5 Essential Considerations for full digestive healing Common symptom presentations Correlated lab markers on the GI-MAP stool test Therapeutic considerations https://discover.instituteofrestorativehealth.com/5essentials What do you do when the protocol is right and the client still won't follow it? On July 14, Margaret Floyd Barry and Ishbel Cavaleri tackle the part of practice nobody gets trained for: the psychology behind why clients stall, the messy middle of healing where most people quit, and the human skills that keep practitioners irreplaceable while AI handles the information.Tuesday, July 14, 2026 · 4 PM ET · Zoom · 60 min · Free, with Q&A Register: https://discover.restorativewellnesssolutions.com/Belief-July-2026 The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/ For educational content and updates on current events, join our email list here. Timestamps: 00:00 Working with toddler Jack's family 10:40 Analyzing Jack's gut bacteria results 13:48 Candida and eczema connection 23:28 Magnesium lotion and toddler massage 29:14 Improving sleep and mood changes 36:06 Integrating Testing at IRH 38:22 Enrolling for fall 2026 cohort 40:23 Discussing mold and eczema in kids 46:07 Impact of diet on kids' moods 51:45 Working with young children 56:03 Accessing Health Tests and Certification 56:53 Podcast outro and thank you Speaker bio: Caitlin Fierro is a certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Toxic Load Expert, Restorative Health Practitioner and a member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). Her passion is guiding families toward a healthier, non-toxic lifestyle. Caitlin's personal health journey began in her early twenties after she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Despite adhering to a strict gluten-free diet and consulting with all the "best" doctors and specialists in NYC, her health issues continued. This frustrating period, filled with unanswered questions and unresolved symptoms, compelled her to venture away from conventional medical practices and broaden her search with holistic and natural care approaches. Today, as a wife and mother, the well-being of her family is her top priority. She advocates for a 90/10 lifestyle, maintaining a non-toxic home environment as the foundation. This approach allows for flexibility, enabling her family— and hopefully yours— to enjoy life's pleasures, whether traveling, dining out, or celebrating, without compromise. Keywords: functional health practitioners, clinical skills, chronic disease, root cause approach, holistic nutrition, toxic burden, non-toxic living, gut health, inflammation, food sensitivities, eczema, pediatric case study, GI MAP test, KBMO Fit 132 test, functional testing, blood sugar dysfunction, mood swings in children, night wakings, sleep issues, keratosis pilaris, microbiome imbalance, candida overgrowth, food sensitivity protocols, gluten free diet, dairy free diet, antifungal diet, digestive supplementation, lifestyle recommendations, lymphatic drainage, mold exposure, supplement dosing for children Disclaimer: The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.
This episode is for ambitious, health-driven people who want to optimize their body from the inside out and it makes the case that the most radical thing you can do for your brain, mood, and longevity isn't another nootropic or longevity supplement: it's fixing your gut. The science applies to anyone, but the framing throughout is high performers who feel "off" despite doing everything right.Did you know that over 90% of your serotonin, much of your dopamine and GABA, and the BDNF that builds your neurons are stimulated in your gut and that a broken gut is, quite literally, a broken brain? In this episode, Andres sits down in person with Nathaly Marcus clinical nutritionist, functional-medicine pioneer, founder of the Bienesta functional medicine center, and author of Sano, salvaje y sabio (Healthy, Wild, and Wise) for a deep, practical masterclass on the gut microbiome, postbiotics, and the nervous system underneath it all.Drawing on her own journey from three-and-a-half years of post-surgical pain, burnout, and "never enough" perfectionism to a philosophy of self-love, rituals over habits, and healing from gentleness instead of fear, Nathaly breaks down the 5 R's of functional medicine (starting with remove), why Akkermansia and butyrate are the quiet heroes of gut repair, and how postbiotics act as the "tools" your microbiome builds to talk to your brain, mitochondria, and hormones. She and Andres go deep on leaky gut and autoimmunity, SIBO and stress, the histamine surge more and more people are experiencing, and the longevity pathways FOXO, Klotho, Nrf2 you can switch on through epinutrients and smart discomfort.Key Topics Discussed:A Broken Gut Is a Broken Brain: Why the gut is the most important "agent of wisdom" in the body, and how inflammation there shows up as brain fog, anxiety, and low mood.Postbiotics Explained: The artisan-and-tools (and garden) metaphor why postbiotics, not just probiotics, are the molecules that rebuild your gut lining, mitochondria, and brain.Akkermansia & Butyrate: How this keystone bacteria feeds on mucin and polyphenols, why fasting lets the strongest species survive, and how butyrate lowers inflammation and lifts depression.Leaky Gut & Autoimmunity: The zonulin story, what a GI Map reveals (IgA, calprotectin, gluten antibodies), and why Nathaly argues most autoimmune disease Hashimoto's, lupus, psoriasis, even Parkinson's begins in the gut.SIBO, Stress & Digestion: How survival mode lowers betaine and stomach acid, feeds bacterial overgrowth, and wrecks absorption and why probiotics can sometimes make it worse.Histamine Intolerance: Why so many people are suddenly reacting to coffee, leftovers, and sulfur-rich foods, the role of the DAO enzyme, and the SIBO and food-diversity roots underneath it.Food Diversity Over Repetition: Why "marrying" one food every day drives sensitivities and inflammation, and how rotating protein, produce, and ferments restores biodiversity.Fiber as the Forgotten Pillar: Why half your plate should be fiber, how to build to ~30g a day without bloating, and the inulin, pectin, resistant starch, and green-juice tactics to get there.Longevity Pathways You Can Switch On: FOXO, Klotho, Nrf2, AMPK and sirtuins and the epinutrients (rhodiola, curcumin, cacao, astaxanthin, sulforaphane, omega-3, PC) plus hormesis that activate them.Nervous System, Trauma & "I Am Enough": Why "I am safe and I am secure" is the foundational mantra, why motivation from fear leads to self-sabotage, and how rituals done from love not guilt become longevity.Actionable Tips:Start Your Day for Your Gut: Warm water with lemon and a little apple cider vinegar to stimulate digestive fire, then chia, flax, and a splash of olive oil to feed the gut lining a cleaner, lead-free alternative to psyllium.Rebuild Before You Add: Remove first (foods, toxins, disruptors, and toxic relationships), repair with glutamine, butyrate, and aloe, then reintroduce ferments slowly a "tequila shot" of rotating kefir, not a jar of sauerkraut.Feed Your Postbiotics: Prioritize polyphenols and prebiotics pomegranate, red/purple pigments, artichoke, asparagus, leek, onions, olive oil, and green tea to stimulate Akkermansia and butyrate.Make a Rotating Green Juice: Greens plus a detox herb (cilantro/coriander, parsley) and a daily-rotated polyphenol powder (pomegranate, maqui, açai) instead of overpriced all-in-one greens powders.Eat for Diversity, Not Efficiency: Rotate proteins, produce, seeds, and ferments through the week even "healthy" foods repeated daily can drive sensitivities and inflammation.Mind the State You Eat In: Be present, chew thoroughly, don't drink water with meals (sip between them), and drop into rest-and-digest first because how you eat changes how your body absorbs it.Do Hard Things on Purpose: Use temporary, intelligent discomfort sauna, cold, fasting, hard training to switch on FOXO, Klotho, Nrf2 and build a body that adapts to stress instead of breaking under it.Test, Don't Guess: Get a GI Map and food-sensitivity testing before assuming the problem is willpower or mindset find your personal bottlenecks first.
Samantha Chandler from Wellness & Womb is a Women's Wellness Coach who focuses on iron's movement. Many are told they're low in iron, but low in iron in the blood doesn't mean it's low in the body. Samantha coaches clients, health providers, and doctors on irons movement to help get to the root of issues women are seeing in their health. She's worked with 100+ women and sees nothing less than transformative results from focusing on irons movement... which doesn't involve iron supplements or iron infusions.Connect with Samantha:https://wellnessandwomb.com/TT: @wellnessandwombIG: @wellnesswomb_Connect with me:- Free call: work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out my online course- DUTCH test (hormone test)- GI Map test (gut test) - Free resources- IG: @nutritionmoderation- TikTok: @nutritionmoderation- nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:- 15% off Eversio with code: ALEXKING - 15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE- 10% off at Pascoe using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries, email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
How do you help someone whose chronic bloating, abdominal distension, digestive issues, hormone imbalance, and fatigue keep returning, even after working with multiple practitioners? In this episode of the Health Detective Podcast, Michele Scarlet sits down with FDN Practitioner Becca Chilczenkowski, co-owner of FitMom Functional Health, to break down one of her most complex Functional Diagnostic Nutrition case studies. Together, they explore how a woman struggling with severe bloating, recurring H. pylori, parasites, reflux, constipation, dermatitis, fibroids, weight gain, exhaustion, and hormone challenges finally experienced lasting Health Transformation through a layered, whole-body approach. Rather than chasing symptoms or relying on aggressive protocols, Becca explains why supporting Functional Health begins with restoring digestive capacity, improving stomach acid, bile flow, nutrient absorption, and immune resilience before introducing targeted Healing Protocols. She shares how Functional Lab Testing, blood work, and GI-MAP testing helped uncover hidden stressors driving chronic inflammation and why rebuilding the body's foundations produced long-term results. The conversation also explores Gut Health, Hormone Health, Functional Medicine, Root Cause Healing, digestive enzymes, HCl, ox bile, immune support, fasting strategies, metabolic flexibility, and the importance of nervous system regulation. Michele and Becca discuss why many women dealing with Chronic Illness, Burnout, bloating, and hormone issues often need less stress, not more exercise, and why personalized care consistently outperforms one-size-fits-all protocols. They also discuss collaborating with medical teams for hormone therapy and peptides while staying within the FDN scope of practice, highlighting how Health Coaching, Practitioner Education, and teamwork create better client outcomes. Whether you're a Functional Health Practitioner, Health Coach, FDN Practitioner, or someone searching for answers to chronic digestive and hormone challenges, this episode delivers practical insights into Root Cause Medicine, Functional Nutrition, and sustainable healing that lasts REGISTER NOW FOR THE BUSINESS BUILDER CHALLENGE⤵️ http://fdntraining.com/bbc
Welcome back to The Coach Debbie Potts Show! In this episode of the SIGNALS Series, we dive deeper into the hidden communication systems that drive energy, recovery, metabolism, digestion, performance, and healthy aging. Your body is constantly responding to the signals you send through nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, and lifestyle habits. But what if your symptoms are actually signals your body is sending back? In this episode, we explore: • The language of physiology • Why symptoms are often clues, not problems • Bile and butyrate signaling • Metabolism and mitochondrial communication • Nervous system regulation and resilience • Why high performers often miss the warning signs • How PNOĒ testing, GI MAP, blood chemistry, genetics, and health history help uncover the root causes behind your symptoms If you're an active adult, aging athlete, or high performer looking to improve energy, recovery, body composition, and long-term health, this episode is for you. Learn more about creating your personalized Future You Blueprint: www.debbiepotts.net Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it! #HealthyAging #Metabolism #FutureYouBlueprint #CoachDebbiePotts #PNOE #FunctionalMedicine #GutHealth #Longevity #Resilience #Performance
Have you been told you have IBS, been given a prescription, and sent on your way? That's exactly what happens to tens of millions of people. An IBS diagnosis doesn't explain anything. It's just a label for symptoms with over 30 possible underlying causes, most of which conventional medicine doesn't investigate. In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Dr. Izabella Wentz, who shares her irritable bowel syndrome experience and her husband's ulcerative colitis diagnosis that went into remission within eight weeks of using a root-cause protocol. She breaks down exactly how gut dysbiosis, parasites, mold exposure, glyphosate, stress, hormonal imbalances, and even your medications could be driving your symptoms. If you've been living with IBS and not getting answers, this episode has a helpful roadmap. Izabella walks through the first steps you can take today, how functional testing would help, and why the right protocol depends entirely on finding your root cause. "There are over 30 root causes of IBS. Conventional medicine doesn't really talk about most of them, and most of them are glossed over." ~ Dr. Izabella Wentz In This Episode: - Izabella's experience with IBS - What IBS really is and its most common root causes - How different toxins lead to gut dysbiosis - Why conventional doctors miss IBS - How stress and anxiety trigger IBS - Probiotics: when they help and when they hurt - First steps to identify your root cause - GLP-1 medications and digestive side effects - Functional stool testing and GI-Map explained - Her husband's ulcerative colitis remission story Products & Resources Mentioned: Izabella Wentz's book, "IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome": Check it out at https://thyroidpharmacist.com/ibs-book-order/ Puori Grass-Fed PW1 Whey Protein: Use code WENDY20 to save up to 32% off your order and a free shaker worth $25 at https://puori.com/wendy Tru Energy Skincare Bio Adaptive Hydration Oil: Try the oil and save up to $197 at trytruenergy.com/wendy5 Organifi Collagen: Save 20% with code MYERSDETOX at https://organifi.com/myersdetox Organifi Happy Drops: Save 20% with code MYERSDETOX at https://organifi.com/myersdetox Heavy Metals Quiz: Check your toxicity score and receive a free video series on how to detox your body at https://heavymetalsquiz.com About Dr. Izabella Wentz: Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms. As an accomplished author, Dr. Wentz has written several best-selling books. Her latest, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, explores a root cause perspective on gut health. Drawing on professional insight, current research, and real-world strategies, she outlines clear, practical steps to help readers identify the drivers of gut dysfunction, follow gentle healing protocols, and finally feel better from the inside out. Learn more about her work at https://thyroidpharmacist.com/ Disclaimer The Myers Detox Podcast was created and hosted by Dr. Wendy Myers. This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast, including Wendy Myers and the producers, disclaims responsibility for any possible adverse effects from using the information contained herein. The opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests' qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.
If you have lived with acid reflux, heartburn, bloating, or stomach pain that will not go away, even after PPIs, elimination diets, and round after round of doctor visits, this conversation is for you. For over five years, Jessica Washington cycled through the ER, a PPI, a SIBO label, and increasingly restrictive diets, with no real answers. Her H. pylori test even came back negative, something that happens far more often than most people are told. Everything changed when she ran functional labs with a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner and finally saw what was driving her symptoms. Host Michele Scarlet and Jessica, now an FDN practitioner and founder of The Gut Healing Ninja, get into: Why upper-gut symptoms like reflux and gastritis often start outside the stomach Why a negative H. pylori test does not always mean you are in the clear What a GI Map reveals that standard testing misses The gut-brain connection and the invisible weight of managing symptoms daily How addressing root causes gave Jessica her health, energy, and family back Find Jessica, The Gut Healing Ninja: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealingninja Website: https://theguthealingninja.com FDN grads and trainees, this one is for you. Ready to turn your certification into a practice that actually fills up? Our Business Builder Challenge kicks off July 13th, built to give you the structure, accountability, and momentum to start landing clients. Want in? Registration Opens Soon! This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.
Do you know your Butyrate status and why it matters? In this episode, Ali Miller RD, digs into short chain fatty acids and metabolites in the colon with a big emphasis on butyrate. This beneficial compound provides energy for the body while reducing inflammation, protecting your gut barrier, and improving colon cell health. With the rate of colorectal cancer on the rise of 2% increase per year, we need to pause and consider diet and lifestyle strategy. You will learn foods to increase in your diet to support butyrate levels, how to address dysbiosis or gut infection, particular strains of gut flora that aid in production of butyrate, and how to assess your status in a stool test. Ali will discuss the importance of increasing fiber in your diet with a variety of sources and why eliminating or greatly limiting seed oils is key for colon health. This episode also covers the connection of environmental toxicity, considerations of your toilet paper choice, and if it's worth getting a bidet. Links in this episode: Test your stool with a GI Map and get a customized interpretation from Ali Miller RD Shop my Beat the Heat Probiotic Promo Use BEATTHEHEAT26 to buy 2 get 1 50% off Choosing the Right Probiotic Guide Probiotic Challenge Protocol Restore Baseline Probiotic Rebuild Spectrum Probiotic Targeted Strength Probiotic Episode 448 Naturally Nourished Podcast Do I really need a colonoscopy + All about Cologuard 40 Clove of Garlic Soup
Get personalized root-cause care with Empower Functional Health.Learn more at empowerfunctionalhealth.com_____MCAS is often treated like a food problem. But if your “safe food” list keeps getting smaller, restriction may no longer be the solution.In this episode, Judy Cho explains why mast cell activation syndrome is not just about histamine, why food reactions can be a sign of a deeper immune threshold problem, and why the goal is not to fear more foods. The goal is to understand why the body is reacting in the first place.What is MCASCauses of MCAS and histamine flaresMast cell symptomsMast cell activation syndrome, root causeMast cells and the nervous system, stress responseHigh histamine foodsHistamine liberator foodsDAO-blocking foods, the DAO enzymeSupplements, medication supports for MCAS, histaminesMCAS, histamine testingHistamine flares because of Carnivore._____EPISODE RESOURCESMCAS ArticleMCAS Article 2Dr. Tania Dempsey InterviewMCAS studies 1, 2, 3 Personalized Health Plan (symptoms)GI Map stool testComplete Wellness Panel_____WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
If you've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's but still don't feel like yourself, your gut may be part of the puzzle. In this episode, Brooke sits down with her new team member, Emily, to discuss GI-MAP stool testing, how it works, and what it can reveal about hidden infections, microbial imbalances, and digestive dysfunction that may be impacting thyroid health. You'll learn how comprehensive stool testing can uncover root causes that traditional testing often misses, why personalized protocols are more effective than generic supplement recommendations, and who may benefit most from this type of advanced testing. If you're looking for a deeper understanding of the gut-thyroid connection, this episode is a great place to start. Click HERE o access the show notes for this episode and learn more about how you can work with us
In this conversation, Olivia Hill and Lyndi M discuss the intricacies of GI maps, protocols for gut health, and the importance of diet and lifestyle changes. They explore who should consider getting a GI map, the role of probiotics, and share success stories from patients who have undergone treatment. The discussion also touches on the spiritual aspect of health, emphasizing the importance of faith in the healing process.
Kate is a Fertility Awareness Educator who is passionate about body literacy at all stages of life. Connect with Kate:- fertility after 35: https://helloearthbody.com/fertilityafter35- Get your free charting guide here: https://earthbody.kit.com/b575278768- Cycle Charting Made Simple: https://helloearthbody.com/cyclesense- IG: @helloearthbodyConnect with me:- Free call: work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out my online course- DUTCH test (hormone test)- GI Map test (gut test) - Free resources- IG: @nutritionmoderation- TikTok: @nutritionmoderation- nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:- 15% off Eversio with code: ALEXKING - 15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE- 10% off at Pascoe using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries, email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, we're presenting a special panel discussion from our recent Clinical Success Showcase event in January. Host Kristin Whitaker is joined by a powerhouse panel of master practitioners as they break down what histamine intolerance really means, why symptoms like skin issues, gut problems, brain fog, and anxiety are showing up more frequently in practice, and how the world around us might be fueling this trend. You'll learn the spectrum of histamine-related disorders, the known drivers behind these conditions—from chronic infections and toxic exposures to hormonal swings and even trauma—and, most importantly, practical, foundational strategies to help calm symptoms, restore balance, and support your clients or yourself. In this interview, we discuss: The critical role mast cells and histamine play in immune function, inflammation, and symptom development. How to recognize the often-overlooked symptom patterns associated with histamine intolerance and mast cell activation. Why these conditions are becoming increasingly common and the environmental and lifestyle factors that may be contributing. The powerful relationship between histamine, estrogen, and hormone-related symptom flares throughout a woman's cycle. The most common root causes driving histamine-related symptoms Practical tools for calming the histamine response, supporting recovery, and helping clients expand their diets with confidence. The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/ This episode is brought to you by the Clinical Success Showcase, happening June 1–4 from the Institute of Restorative Health. Join practitioners from across the industry for four free days of real clinical case studies, expert panels, and practical conversations designed to help you think more systematically and confidently in practice. From pediatric eczema and mood concerns to male hormones, complex chronic cases, and optimizing outcomes for clients on GLP-1 therapies, each session is built around real-world application you can actually use with clients. The Clinical Success Showcase is proudly brought to you by LeadCalculators, Evexia Diagnostics, MRT: A Superior Approach to Managing Diet-Induced Inflammation, and BetterBloodTest.com. Register free and save your spot today. Timestamps: 00:00 Preview of histamine intolerance panel 09:22 Discussing oncology nutrition certification 14:17 Understanding symptom increase factors 20:25 Discussing mysterious symptoms and triggers 23:14 Understanding histamine intolerance 27:42 Balancing complexity and simplicity in health 33:28 Chronic inflammation and hormones discussion 40:06 Explaining the histamine bucket analogy 45:22 Managing food sensitivities and fear 54:18 Discussing antihistamine trial periods 59:02 Knowing when to refer clients 01:01:23 Advice for new health practitioners 01:10:05 Managing Histamine Intolerance Symptoms 01:14:01 Discussing mast cell stabilizers 01:17:47 Engaging with the panel discussion Speaker bios: Ellen Lovelace, MPH, FNTP, MRHP is a Master Restorative Health Practitioner and faculty member at the Institute of Restorative Health who brings nearly 20 years of experience in public health and functional nutrition. Sara Fields, FNTP, MRHP is a Master Restorative Health Practitioner and faculty member at the Institute of Restorative Health who specializes in gut health, fertility, and helping clients uncover the root causes of chronic health concerns. Min Kim, NTP, MRHP is a Master Restorative Health Practitioner who helps clients uncover root causes, interpret complex health patterns, and create practical nutrition strategies that support long-term wellness. Keywords: Clinician's Corner, functional health, histamine intolerance, mast cell activation syndrome, MCAS, mast cell disorders, root causes, gut health, autoimmune conditions, mental health, sleep issues, hormone fluctuations, perimenopause, menopause, estrogen dominance, chronic inflammation, mold exposure, long covid, chronic infections, GI MAP test, Dutch Test, MRT food sensitivity test, DAO enzymes, low histamine diet, antihistamines, H1 blockers, H2 blockers, nervous system support, dietary strategies, trauma and health, client intake forms Disclaimer: The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.
Why Your Immune System May Be Attacking Its Own Tissue (The Gut Connection) | Podcast #477
Drew Baird is a former personal trainer and the founder of NOVUM, a results-driven platform that offers science-backed support for women with PMOS (formerly PCOS) through personalized meal plans, in-depth blood test analysis, one-on-one coaching, and a full lifestyle transformation program.KEY PMOS DRIVERS-Insulin resistance-Chronic inflammation-Adrenal dysfunctionUNDERSTANDING PMOS-Basement: your genetic predisposition (you were born with this)-Ground floor: your PMOS driver (insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, or adrenal dysfunction)-Middle floor: the hormonal imbalances your driver creates-Top floor: the symptoms you actually feel and live with every dayConnect with Drew:- IG: https://www.instagram.com/thepcosmentor- TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepcosmentor- https://handbvitamins.com/Connect with me:- Free call: work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out my online course- DUTCH test (hormone test)- GI Map test (gut test) - Free resources- IG: @nutritionmoderation- TikTok: @nutritionmoderation- nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:- 15% off Eversio with code: ALEXKING - 15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE- 10% off at Pascoe using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries, email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, I'm breaking down James Clear's Atomic Habits Masterclass and sharing the exact frameworks I use to help my clients build habits that actually stick.This one is for anyone who has set a goal, stayed consistent for a week, and then completely fell off, here's how to make your habits stick!!Key TakeawaysYou don't lack motivation, you lack clarity and a systemNever miss twice, consistency beats perfection every timeYour identity drives your habits more than your goals ever willStart embarrassingly small, the goal is to master the art of showing upConnect with me:- Free call: work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out ByeBye cramps- DUTCH test (hormone test)- GI Map test (gut test) - Free resources- IG: @nutritionmoderation- TikTok: @nutritionmoderation- nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:- 15% off Eversio with code: ALEXKING - 15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries, email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
Send us Fan MailShow notes:If you've been told your labs are normal but you're still completely exhausted all the time, this episode is for you. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints I hear from women with endometriosis, and it's rarely random. Your exhaustion is data. It's your body asking for support somewhere.In this episode, I'm breaking down the most common root causes of endometriosis-related fatigue that I see in my practice, and the lab patterns that actually reveal what's going on beneath the surface.In this episode, we cover:Why endometriosis is a whole-body inflammatory disease, not just a reproductive conditionHow chronic inflammation quietly drains your energy (and what lab markers to look at)The connection between your immune system and your fatigueWhy gut health is one of the first places I look, and what I commonly find on a GI Map stool testKey nutrient deficiencies that contribute to exhaustion (iron, B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D)How blood sugar dysregulation is stealing your energy without you realizing itWhat your hormones and adrenal health can reveal, and why I look at this lastReady to find out what's actually driving your fatigue?The best place to start is your gut. The Cycle Clarity Panel includes a GI Map stool test plus a one-on-one consultation with me to review your results and give you a personalized action plan. This is all virtual, available anywhere in the US.
In this episode, Curtis Gillespie Sayers is back to explore one of the more overlooked (and often misunderstood) root causes of gut health: parasites. Drawing from client cases, functional testing insights, and his own evolving perspective, he shares how parasites can contribute to bloating, fatigue, skin issues, stalled fat loss, and more, especially when other interventions haven't fully worked. He also addresses the nuance: when parasites are worth investigating, how testing like GI-MAP fits in, and why not every symptom points in this direction. Here's what you'll learn: - The surprising reason women over 35 may be more susceptible to parasites - Why parasites are rarely the root cause, but still a piece you can't ignore - What trauma has to do with parasites and why this piece gets missed - The connection between mold, heavy metals, and parasites - The subtle clues on your bloodwork that could point to parasites - The biggest missing pieces in typical parasite protocols (and why they fail) - The mistakes that keep women stuck in cycles of “cleanses” with no results - The link between chronic bloating after meals and possible parasite involvement - Why constipation makes everything worse (and how to actually fix it) - The hormone connection no one is talking about - How most people actually get parasites (it's not what you think) - Peptides that may support gut repair and resilience in these cases Subscribe: https://carrotsncake.substack.com Join Fit + Fueled: https://carrots-n-cake.mykajabi.com/fit+fueled Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: @carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N' Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing, peptides, and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals. Connect with Curtis Gillespie Sayers: https://lifestylempowerment.ca/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1lifeestyleempowerment/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisfunctionalhealthcoach Instagram: https://instagram.com/that.coach.curtis About Curtis Gillespie Sayers: From a young age I was in and out of the hospital suffering from health complications for as long as I can remember, breathing difficulties being the most apparent but as I grew older more serious issues began to come to light. I was diagnosed with an extremely severe case of sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a pre-diabetic status. At this time, I was also struggling with substance abuse, which would obviously contribute to my health complications, but most were from birth. After receiving the news from running tests, the doctors had informed me that I was lucky to be alive. My psychological health was greatly impacted by my physiological health, evoking feelings of anger, and negativity which caused me to constantly argue with people around me. This affected several of my relationships and was creating a miserable life. This lead me to seek out the help of a bodybuilding coach (not knowing a damn thing about health at the time). The main focus was “getting shredded,” not understanding how much internal health affects one's physique. Interestingly enough, shedding the weight had really helped with my sleep apnea, but still, quite a few health complications were present. At this time hunger was ignited in me to learn more. I became determined to solve what was going on in my body. I decided to acquire my first nutrition certification through the ISSA (International Sports Science Association).
Sarah Clark was told donor eggs were her only option. No second opinion. No workup. Just an IVF brochure pulled off the shelf. This is the story of what was actually going on, and what nobody looked for. At 28, Sarah was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (now called premature ovarian insufficiency). Her OB/GYN handed her an IVF brochure during the appointment. She went to the REI, got on the donor egg list, and had both her kids through IVF with donor eggs. It took another decade before she discovered the underlying imbalances her REI never screened for: food sensitivities to dairy, gluten, and corn, plus a gut infection with H. pylori, streptococcus, fungal overgrowth and nervous system dysregulation (stressed out but didn;t even know it). In this rebroadcast episode, Monica Cox interviews Sarah about the clues her body was giving her for years before the POI diagnosis, and what she wishes someone had told her in her twenties. What you'll learn: The seemingly unrelated symptoms that were early signals (irregular periods twice a year, cystic acne, fungal rashes, chronic yeast infections, dark circles since age 12) Why a POI diagnosis at 28 doesn't automatically mean donor eggs, and why a second opinion matters The post-pregnancy health collapse that exposed the underlying gut and immune dysfunction Food sensitivities beyond digestion: mood, joint pain, skin, brain fog, autoimmune flares Why partners have to be in the protocol from day one, because infections pass back and forth The four foundational tests: food sensitivity, DUTCH hormone, GI-MAP stool, HTMA hair Why IVF should be the last choice, not the first, given the $60K average spend and three-cycle average Where to actually start: just diagnosed vs. one failed cycle vs. multiple failures behind you Timestamps: 00:00 Why this episode is for you if you have low AMH, high FSH, DOR, or POI 02:00 Diagnosed at 28 with premature ovarian failure, handed an IVF brochure, no second opinion 03:00 The clues in her twenties: irregular periods, acne, fungal rash, yeast infections 07:00 Post-kids health crash: chronic sinus infections, bladder infections, vertigo, antibiotic damage 08:00 Discovering food sensitivities (dairy, gluten, corn) and gut infections (H. pylori, strep, fungal overgrowth) 13:00 Connecting the dots: why every "unrelated" symptom was related 15:00 Why partners must be in the protocol, because infections pass between couples 21:00 Multiple failed IUIs and IVFs: burnout, cortisol, and the case for a pause 24:00 The four foundational tests: food sensitivity, DUTCH, GI-MAP, HTMA 35:00 Where to start: just diagnosed vs. one failed cycle vs. multiple failures This conversation is for women who've been told donor eggs are their only option, who are staring down a POI, low AMH, high FSH, or diminished ovarian reserve diagnosis, and who suspect their REI hasn't looked at the full picture. Not sure what's been fully evaluated? Download the free Embryo Audit Checklist to map your past cycles and labs so you can see what's been looked at and what may have been missed.
What if the bloating, mood swings, and unpredictable cycles you have been blaming on your hormones are actually your gut sending out a distress signal? The truth is that your digestive health and your hormonal balance are far more intertwined than most people realize, and addressing one without the other may be exactly why nothing has worked so far.On Salad with a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck welcomes Bridget Walton, functional hormone specialist and founder of I'm Hormonal, for a candid, science-backed conversation about the connection between hormones and gut health. From estrogen metabolism and microbiome balance to stress, elimination, and the power of functional nutrition, this episode delivers the clarity and actionable guidance women navigating these challenges have been seeking.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ How sluggish elimination leads to a buildup of estrogen metabolites in the body, which can directly fuel PMS symptoms, heavy periods, cramping, and mood swings.✅ Why an imbalanced gut microbiome triggers an inflammatory response that disrupts cortisol and your sex hormones, creating a cycle that is difficult to break without addressing the root cause.✅ The foundational daily habits, including eating a rainbow of fiber-rich plants, incorporating fermented foods, minimizing processed food inflammation, and proper hydration, support both digestive health and hormonal harmony.✅ How to recognize when general wellness strategies are no longer enough, and functional health testing may be the key to finally getting a personalized plan that moves the needle.The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The role of fiber and gut health in feeding your microbiome and producing essential vitamins for hormonal function05:36 Bridget shares her personal journey with bloating, acne, and digestive symptoms that launched her career in hormonal health08:55 How infrequent bowel movements allows estrogen metabolism byproducts to accumulate, driving PMS and heavy bleeding11:25 The importance of chewing your food properly15:00 Bridget outlines where to begin: eating the rainbow, fermented foods, hydration, and when to pursue functional health testing22:31 How often is normal elimination, why stress and digestion are deeply linked, and how deep breathing activates rest and digest27:50 Practical tips for eating on the go, including the underrated power of chewing and digestion to trigger proper stomach acid30:14 Final thoughts on listening to your body's signals and viewing PMS symptoms as communication rather than inconvenienceKEY TAKEAWAYS:
Live Q&A episode with Liz and Becca tackling the real root causes behind autoimmune thyroid, gut infections, and perimenopause chaos. We break down why Graves disease almost always flips to Hashimoto's, the H. pylori virulence factors (CagA and VacA) your doctor isn't testing for, and why heat intolerance is really a histamine and estrogen problem. Plus — how to start toxic-free living without overwhelming yourself, the MTHFR myth, and why mold, SIBO, and H. pylori are rarely just one problem. If you're dealing with gut issues, hormone imbalance, thyroid autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, or perimenopause symptoms — this episode gives you the framework conventional medicine keeps missing. Functional medicine, gut health, hormone balance, thyroid support, autoimmune, GI Map testing, histamine intolerance, and root-cause healing for women 35–55. *** CONNECT:
About Haley Smith: Haley's mission is to empower women overlooked by the traditional healthcare system with body literacy and personalized functional fertility support that works. By understanding your menstrual cycle as a health assessment tool and combining it with top of the line functional lab work, Haley has helped hundreds of women find their answers to sub-fertility and carry healthy pregnancies to term. Haley is a Functional Nutritionist and FAM Certified with a Master's Degree in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine. Connect with Haley: The Holistic Fertility Clinic — Haley on Instagram and TikTok — @haleysmith.hfc Book a Free Discovery Call with Haley — Thank you so much for being here. This podcast exists because of the women who show up for these conversations and keep coming back. It genuinely means everything.Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and you could win a free mini consult with Cody. Each month one reviewer is chosen at random. It takes about a minute and it helps Create the Space reach the women who need it most. Connect with Cody: Instagram: @spacewithcody Website: spacewithcody.com Free Resource: Ready to shift the energy of your home? Start here with Five Shifts to Improve the Energy of Your Home, a free guide from Cody. Work with Cody: Explore ways to work together at spacewithcody.com© Create the Space with Cody Maher. All rights reserved.
Craig Mullen is a board-certified Family & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and founder of Remedy Functional Health Solutions. He specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, peptide therapy, gut health optimization, and regenerative medicine. Connect with Craig:-www.remedyfunctionalhealth.net-@remedy.functional.health/Connect with me:- Free call: work with me here- Have period cramps? Check out my online course- DUTCH test (hormone test)- GI Map test (gut test) - Free resources- IG: @nutritionmoderation- TikTok: @nutritionmoderation- nutritionmoderation.comDISCOUNTS:- 15% off Eversio with code: ALEXKING - 15% off at MUDWTR using code: ALEXADELE- 10% off at Pascoe using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking- Discount on US Supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901For podcast inquiries, email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com
Fuel Her Awesome: Food Freedom, Body Love, Intuitive Eating & Nutrition Coaching
Life doesn't slow down. Between the daily inconveniences and the hard, unexpected stuff — relationship struggles, loss, disappointments — our bodies are constantly being asked to manage more. One of the reasons Jess has such deep reverence for nutrition is its power to set us up biologically, so when life gets hard, our bodies have something to stand on. Because health isn't just physical. It's mental, social, spiritual, and biological — and if we can shore up the biological piece, we give ourselves a real fighting chance with the rest. In this episode, Jess breaks down: A fascinating gut mechanism that most people have never heard of — and how it directly impacts your mood, energy, and mental wellbeing when your nervous system is in overdrive. The science (made simple): Tryptophan is an amino acid your body uses to make serotonin. But under chronic stress, inflammation, or fight-or-flight, an enzyme called IDO activates and diverts tryptophan away from serotonin production — toward a compound called kynurenine (KIN-yoo-reh-neen). This is your body's survival response. But the cost? Lower serotonin availability, and with it, low mood, anxiety, and fatigue. Your body is literally stealing from your serotonin supply to deal with stress. The nutrition connection: When we're stressed, we're also usually not eating the foods that support this pathway — and that's the double hit. Chronic stress depletes the very micronutrients your body needs to produce serotonin in the first place: B6 — required to convert tryptophan into serotonin Magnesium — supports serotonin synthesis AND calms the HPA axis Zinc — activates the enzyme that kicks off serotonin production Iron — works alongside zinc in that same enzyme pathway (especially important for women) Vitamin D — regulates the genes involved in serotonin synthesis upstream What this looks like in practice: Jess shares how she works with clients to assess their nutrition rhythms, run functional labs and GI-MAP testing, and identify where the raw materials for serotonin production may be missing — so that nourishment becomes intentional, not reactive. Grab the Eat To Energize Freebie HERE!
Jeremy Malecha is the founder of Biocanic, a tech-enabled platform built specifically for functional, integrative, and longevity medicine practitioners. In this episode, Jeremy pulls back the curtain on one of the most exciting intersections in modern health: artificial intelligence meets real-world patient data. He shares how his team ran a linear regression between Oura sleep scores and gut microbiome markers — and predicted his own sleep score to within a single point. The conversation digs into why more data doesn't automatically lead to better health outcomes, how Biocanic's Nexus analytics layer helps practitioners objectively demonstrate results (think VO2 max improvements, reduced toxin burden, improved HbA1c), and why the future of functional medicine is about synthesizing data down — not piling it higher. Freddie and Jeremy also explore the massive opportunity for solo FDN practitioners and large integrative clinics alike, covering real-world use cases from ketogenic mental health programs to integrative oncology and EBOO therapy. They get into the cost of the platform (starting at $75/month), lab integrations across 350+ providers including GI Map, Dutch, and Quest, and what it looks like when a clinic goes from siloed chaos to a single, unified health record. Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or running a clinic that wants to prove its outcomes and scale its impact, this conversation will change how you think about personalized medicine, AI in healthcare, and the future of the patient-practitioner relationship. Episode Highlights [00:00] – Why healthcare is splitting into emergency care vs personalized optimization [03:17] – What Jeremy does building software for integrative and functional practitioners [04:25] – The data overload problem wearables, labs, and too much information [06:51] – Using AI to uncover correlations between biomarkers and real outcomes [09:07] – The future of predicting health outcomes with fewer tests [11:20] – Why more data alone doesn't improve health [13:39] – Moving from testimonials to measurable outcomes in medicine [18:12] – How practitioners can prove results and stand out in a crowded space [20:35] – The post-pandemic shift toward taking ownership of your health [22:57] – Why AI can't replace human connection in healing [25:35] – Disrupting healthcare from the outside not within [30:29] – The importance of proper training in functional medicine [33:23] – Measuring effectiveness of therapies like detox and advanced modalities [37:33] – Why foundational habits still matter more than tools [45:02] – Why Biocanic avoids insurance and focuses on concierge care [47:58] – The future of patient-owned health data [54:14] – Integrative oncology and rebuilding the body after cancer [59:11] – Jeremy's personal health stack sauna, detox, and reducing carbs Links & Resources The Biological Blueprint Program: https://www.beautifullybroken.world/ Biocanic: https://www.biocanic.com/request-a-demo/?am_id=frederick2598 Use code 10OFFTODAY for $10 off a month Get Silver Biotics: bit.ly/3JnxyDD — 30% off with Code: BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN CONNECT WITH FREDDIEWork with Me: https://www.beautifullybroken.world/biological-blueprintWebsite and Store: (http://www.beautifullybroken.world) Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/freddie.kimmelYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beautifullybrokenworld Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
If your hormones feel like a mystery and your doctor keeps adjusting your dose without results — this episode changes the way you see your body.Dr. Tabatha and Ashlee go inside the HealthieHer program and break down why so many women arrive after years of treatment still feeling terrible. The answer? The root cause was never addressed — and the order in which you heal matters more than anything else.They cover the GI Map, Dutch Plus, zonulin, leaky gut, IgA, food sensitivities, and cortisol — and why none of it works unless you treat the whole woman.This is root-cause medicine the way God designed it.In this episode:"Cowboy medicine" hormone prescribing — and why it's failing womenThe GI Map: what DNA testing finds that a standard stool test missesLeaky gut, zonulin, and the 3 barriers that protect (and break down)Why H. pylori breath tests give false negativesIgA: the immune layer COVID depleted in millionsOmega-6s and why your food is warping your hormone receptorsThe Dutch Plus cortisol test and your 24-hour patternStress, belly fat, blood sugar, and earlier menopauseLectio Divina: the best nervous system reset Dr. Tabatha knows Resources: HealthieHer Program → drtabatha.com/healthieher Discovery Call → discovery.drtabatha.com Omega Lift → shop.fasttofaith.com/product/omega-lift/ "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." — Mark 5:34TIMESTAMPS00:00 — The hormone wild west: why "cowboy medicine" is failing women 02:43 — Postpartum vs. menopause: the case that opened our eyes 04:38 — How Ashlee went from patient to coaching director 05:46 — Why results take 6 months — and what changes everything about HealthieHer 07:00 — The order matters: why root-cause healing only works in sequence 09:33 — The faith piece: why we finally said we're a faith-based practice 11:00 — The GI Map explained: DNA testing vs. smearing a slide 14:11 — Zonulin, leaky gut, and the three gut barriers 16:00 — IgA: the immune layer COVID depleted (and how to rebuild it) 18:15 — Omega-6s vs. omega-3s: why inflammation is warping your hormone receptors 22:52 — Food sensitivities, leaky gut, and why you're reacting to broccoli 25:25 — The 12-week elimination: temporary, worth it, and the scab analogy 27:49 — Cortisol, the Dutch Plus, and what your 24-hour pattern reveals 31:23 — Stage 3 adrenal fatigue: what it is and how long it takes to heal 33:00 — Stress, belly fat, blood sugar, and earlier menopause — all connected 34:01 — How to get started: HealthieHer + the 40 Day Fast to Faith 35:37 — Lectio Divina: the best nervous system reset Dr. Tabatha knows 36:03 — Closing scripture: Mark 5:34Ready to stop trying harder and start healing smarter? Start with the $5 Faith Reset Challenge — your first step to regulating your nervous system, stabilizing your metabolism, and reconnecting with your identity in Christ through simple, faith-centered rhythms. This is where most women begin.
Understanding the Signals That Control Your Metabolism If you feel like your body isn't responding the way it used to… you're not alone. You may be eating well, training consistently, and doing everything you've been told should work—yet your energy is off, recovery is slower, and body composition is changing. This series explains why. In this multi-part deep dive, Debbie Potts—Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Metabolic Health Coach—walks you through what is really happening beneath the surface. This is not a conversation about eating less or exercising more. It is about understanding how your body communicates. Because your metabolism is not just about calories or hormones. It is controlled by a network of signals between your brain, gut, muscles, mitochondria, and nervous system. When those signals become disrupted, the body adapts in ways that can feel frustrating and confusing. Fatigue, weight gain, hormone imbalances, and poor recovery are not random. They are clues. Debbie refers to this as "Metabolic Chaos"—a state where the body is no longer communicating efficiently. Throughout this series, you will learn how to recognize the patterns behind metabolic dysfunction and how to begin restoring balance by improving communication within the body. Topics covered in this series include: Why metabolism changes in midlife and what is actually driving those changes How stress, sleep, and the nervous system influence fat metabolism and energy The connection between gut health, inflammation, and hormone balance Why cell membrane health and receptor function are critical for results The role of muscle in long-term metabolic health and aging How mitochondrial function influences energy, endurance, and recovery This series also introduces a more personalized, data-driven approach to health. Rather than guessing, Debbie explains how functional testing can reveal where your body is struggling, including: Functional blood chemistry DUTCH hormone testing GI-MAP stool analysis 3x4 genetic insights PNOĒ metabolic testing Mitochondrial and oxidative stress markers You will also be introduced to the key signals that regulate metabolism, including blood sugar control, cellular health, energy production, gut function, inflammation, detoxification, and recovery. When these systems are aligned, the body works more efficiently. When they are not, progress can feel stalled—even when effort is high. This series is designed to help you connect the dots, understand your body at a deeper level, and begin creating a strategy that works with your physiology instead of against it. If you are ready to stop guessing and start understanding your unique physiology, you can learn more and schedule a FutureYou Blueprint Discovery Call at: www.debbiepotts.net Your body is not working against you. It is responding to the signals it receives. When you understand those signals, you can begin to change your trajectory and build your FutureYou from the inside out.
In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, host Margaret Floyd Barry welcomes special guest Sara Fields—Master Restorative Health Practitioner and faculty member at the Institute of Restorative Health, to explore acne from a root-cause perspective. Together, Margaret and Sara dig deep into why acne is more than just a hormonal or topical issue, examining the crucial roles of gut health, metabolic balance, and systemic inflammation. This conversation will leave you with actionable strategies and a greater appreciation for the complex story your skin is telling. In this interview, we discuss: The ways in which acne is a systemic inflammation condition Clinical assessment for acne (including functional labs/testing) How gut health, blood sugar/insulin, and histamines impact skin health The downstream role of hormones Common mistakes practitioners make The emotional side of acne How to support teens with acne To read Sara's blog article "Beyond Hormones: A Functional Approach to Acne" - click here: https://instituteofrestorativehealth.com/beyond-hormones-a-functional-approach-to-acne/ For access to Sara's handout "5 Lab Findings You're Probably Missing in Acne Clients" - click here: https://discover.instituteofrestorativehealth.com/5-Lab-Findings-for-Acne-Clients The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofrestorativehealth/ Connect with Sara Fields: Website: https://sarafieldswellness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarafieldswellness/ Timestamps: 00:00 "Acne: Root Causes Revealed" 05:54 "Acne: More Than Hormones" 10:08 "Gut Health and Digestion Insights" 11:40 "Gut Health Impacts Hormone Balance" 17:57 Gut Health and Acne Connection 20:03 Histamine's Role in Acne 24:16 Histamine, Gut, and Methylation 28:12 "Root Causes Behind Hormones" 31:52 "Master Restorative Health Skills" 33:20 Beyond Hormones and Gut Bacteria 38:16 "Acne: Beyond Skin Deep" 42:23 Teen Skin: Diet Drives Change 45:24 Acne Assessment Insights Speaker bio: Sara Fields is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Master RHP and has been on faculty with the Institute of Restorative Health since 2019. She has spent nearly 15 years working in food, nutrition, and healing — first in organic farming and specialty foods, and since 2014 as a nutrition professional. Seeing firsthand how diet impacts conditions like autoimmune disease sparked her career, and her practice, Sara Fields Wellness, which is rooted in the belief that gut health is at the center of so many chronic concerns — including what shows up on our skin. Today she's joining us to talk about acne, an area of special interest for her, where she helps clients dig past surface-level symptoms to uncover the root causes driving their skin issues. Sara is based in Richmond, Virginia, and when she's not with clients, you'll find her doing step aerobics, catching live music, or playing with her cats. Keywords: acne, skin conditions, functional health, gut health, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, immune activation, blood sugar, insulin resistance, sebum production, sebocytes, liver function, gallbladder function, detoxification, methylation, stool testing, food sensitivities, GI Map, MRT testing, comprehensive bloodwork, dysbiosis, bacterial overgrowth, fungal overgrowth, constipation, histamine, antihistamines, hormone metabolites, androgen levels, estrogen dominance, nutrient deficiencies Disclaimer: The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.
What if your metabolism isn't broken—but your body's communication system is? In this multi-part deep dive, Debbie Potts—Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Metabolic Health Coach, and host of The Coach Debbie Potts Show—explores why so many high-performing individuals feel stuck despite doing everything "right." This series goes beyond calories, workouts, and surface-level hormone advice. Instead, it uncovers the deeper physiology of metabolic health by focusing on how the body functions as an integrated system of signals. Your metabolism is not just about food or exercise. It is about communication between your cells, hormones, gut, brain, and nervous system. When that communication becomes disrupted, the body adapts in ways that feel like dysfunction—fatigue, weight gain, hormone imbalance, and poor recovery. Debbie calls this state "Metabolic Chaos." In this series, you will learn how to shift from metabolic chaos to metabolic harmony by understanding and restoring the key signals that drive energy, fat metabolism, and resilience as you age. In this series, you will learn: What metabolic dysfunction really is—and why it often shows up in midlife How hormones, mitochondria, muscle, and the nervous system are interconnected Why cell membrane health and receptor sensitivity determine whether your body responds to signals The role of gut health in fat metabolism, inflammation, and energy production How chronic stress, overtraining, and under-recovery disrupt metabolic signaling Why traditional approaches stop working after 40 This series also introduces Debbie's "test, not guess" approach to health optimization. Rather than relying on generic protocols, she uses functional lab testing and metabolic analysis to identify where your system is breaking down. You will learn how tools such as functional blood chemistry, DUTCH hormone testing, GI-MAP stool analysis, 3x4 genetics, PNOĒ metabolic testing, and mitochondrial markers can provide insight into your body's internal communication system. At the core of this series are the nine key signals that restore metabolic harmony, including blood sugar stability, cell membrane health, mitochondrial function, hormone signaling, gut microbiome communication, oxygen utilization, inflammation control, detoxification pathways, and recovery. After age 40, the body becomes more sensitive to disruptions in these systems. When signals are out of alignment, fat loss becomes more difficult, muscle is harder to maintain, energy becomes inconsistent, and hormones feel imbalanced. The goal is not to fight your body, but to understand how it works. Debbie's core message is simple: you do not fix metabolism by working harder—you fix it by improving how your body communicates. If you are listening and recognizing that something feels off despite your best efforts, the next step is not more guessing. It is gaining clarity. To learn more or schedule a FutureYou Blueprint Discovery Call, visit: www.debbiepotts.net Your body is not broken. It is adapting to the signals it is receiving. When you change the signals, you change your future.
Beyond Probiotics: Rebuilding the Gut Microbiome as an Ecosystem with Dr. Oscar Coatzee and Danielle Arnold and host Dr. Ben Weitz. [If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, so more people will find The Rational Wellness Podcast. Also check out the video version on my WeitzChiro YouTube page.] Podcast Highlights Rethinking Probiotics: Keystone Anaerobes, Butyrate, and Microbiome Ecosystems with Designs for Health Dr. Ben Weitz introduces the Rational Wellness Podcast episode challenging the assumption that gut issues are solved by adding more traditional probiotics, arguing microbiome repair is an ecosystem and function problem. He interviews Dr. Oscar Cozo and Danielle Arnold of Designs for Health about differences between transient aerobic probiotics (e.g., lactobacillus/bifidobacteria) and keystone anaerobic strains that form the microbiome's foundation, can engraft, drive down gut oxygen, and support cross-feeding. They discuss live, refrigerated delivery for anaerobes; a spore-capable keystone strain (Anaerostipes); and a case study showing improved food allergies, normalization of Akkermansia, increased butyrate-related effects, and reduction of opportunists without antimicrobials. They cover butyrate's roles (tight junctions, mucus, immune regulation, HDAC inhibition), fiber and resistant starch strategies, stool testing (GI-MAP additions for anaerobes and short-chain fatty acids), diet restriction concerns, and practitioner support and case report publishing with Designs for Health. 00:00 Show Intro and Mission 01:00 Probiotics vs Ecosystem Thinking 02:56 Aerobes vs Anaerobes Explained 07:06 Keystone Species and Engraftment 09:18 New Anaerobic Strains and Allergy Research 11:06 Live Shipping and Feeding the Strains 14:03 Case Study Crowding Out Dysbiosis 18:03 Rethinking the Five R Protocol 24:26 Testing and Prebiotic Pairings 26:52 Butyrate and Microbiome Benefits 28:40 Conventional Probiotics Still Matter 35:04 Sponsor Break Apollo Wearable 36:37 Crowding Out Pathogens and Fungi Role 39:58 Archaea and Mucosa 41:21 Mucus Layer and Biofilms 43:11 Feeding Keystone Microbes 44:18 Fiber Targets and Tolerance 46:51 Probiotic as SIBO Option 48:54 Resistant Starch Basics 51:52 Stool Test Dysbiosis Patterns 54:32 Akkermansia and Metabolism 56:44 Histamine Bugs and Enzymes 01:02:26 Gut Healing Nutrients 01:05:34 Diet Diversity and Reintros 01:08:21 Wrap Up and Product Details 01:13:10 Podcast Outro and Clinic Info Dr. Oscar Coatzee has over 25 years experience in psychology and nutrition and is currently the VP of clinical education and practitioner support at Designs For Health. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a PhD in Holistic Nutrition and Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition. Danielle Arnold is a clinical nutritionist and Functional Medicine practitioner and she serves as a clinical support specialist at Designs for Health, training healthcare providers in test interpretation and patient care. Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111.
Send a textIf you have endometriosis and bloating is ruling your life (like looking six months pregnant by the end of the day no matter what you eat), this episode is for you.Most people assume bloating is a food problem. Cut gluten, try low FODMAP, eliminate dairy, and still nothing changes. In this episode, we unpack why endo bloating is more complex than that and walk through the five layers you actually need to address to get lasting relief.Key takeaways:Why endo bloating is a multi-layered issue, and the biggest mistake people make trying to fix itThe 5 layers of endo bloating: inflammation, gut health, nervous system, physical body, and hormonal shiftsWhy "inflammation hunting" is always the first step, and the foundational changes you can make today without any testingThe gut layer: what a comprehensive stool test (like the GI Map) can reveal that conventional medicine misses, including low stomach acid, bacterial overgrowth, yeast, and parasitesThe nervous system–gut connection via the vagus nerve, and why the "rest to digest" principle is non-negotiableHow chronic pelvic pain creates protective muscle guarding that slows digestion and worsens bloating, and what helps (posture, breathwork, abdominal massage, pelvic floor PT)When to investigate hormones (hint: it's layer five, not layer one) and what estrogen dominance looks likeA real client story: from bloated every single day to finally feeling free Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast: Apple | SpotifyConnect w/ Alyssa: Instagram Website Work w/ Alyssa: Free Period Pain Playbook Aligned Period Reset Work with me 1:1 Learn more about AlyssaDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
In this episode, Dr. Jockers sits down with Taylor Dukes to unpack her powerful journey of discovering a brain tumor with no symptoms and navigating a glioma diagnosis through faith and integrative care. You'll learn how she approached her diagnosis without fear and why slowing down to seek wisdom changed everything. This conversation reveals what it looks like to trust God while taking bold action. You'll discover how immune dysfunction, chronic infections, parasites, and toxic burden can create the perfect storm for cancer development. Taylor explains how her tumor likely grew silently for years and how addressing root causes — from gut health to Lyme to detoxification — became central to her recovery. You'll also gain insight into the role of metabolic therapies and nervous system regulation in healing. You'll learn why removing hidden immune stressors like dental cavitations and breast implants can matter in complex illness. Taylor shares how mindset, identity, and living as if you're healed play a critical role in long-term recovery. This episode leaves space for deeper reflection on resilience, faith, and what true root-cause healing really means. In This Episode: 00:00 Brain tumor discovered with zero symptoms 00:12 What you'll learn about cancer recovery, gut health, and living without fear 01:35 DrJockers.com resources and health coaching 05:12 Meeting Taylor at Hope for Cancer and her functional medicine background 07:25 Missions abroad, severe illness, and discovering functional medicine 09:00 Preventative MRI reveals a grade 3 brain tumor 10:39 Choosing integrative oncology and shrinking the tumor before surgery 14:54 Brain surgery recovery, neuroplasticity, and a Lyme flare 19:16 How infections, parasites, and immune suppression raise cancer risk 22:19 Three years cancer-free and removing immune stressors 27:10 Breast implants, immune burden, and why she explanted 29:51 Cavitations, sinus issues, and finding the right biological dentist 33:49 Cone beam scans, hidden infections, and patient advocacy 37:03 When to go upstream with functional testing 37:49 The gut as the foundation of health and first healing steps 39:31 Stool testing, SIBO, H. pylori, and why GI-MAP is a favorite 41:17 Why gut healing takes time and how to stay the course 42:05 Raising healthy kids with real food, sleep, and low toxins 46:55 Teaching food literacy with swaps and healthier treats 56:51 Simple supplement routine for kids 01:00:22 Homeschooling, business, and priorities after cancer 01:03:03 Mastering the basics of health and final takeaways If you want practical, natural strategies to balance your hormones, heal your gut, boost your energy, and slow aging, don't miss The Dr. Josh Axe Show. Dr. Axe blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science and brings on world-class experts for unfiltered conversations you won't hear anywhere else. Transform your health from the inside out and subscribe to The Dr. Josh Axe Show, with new episodes every Monday and Thursday. Fuel your body with Paleo Valley's grass-fed meat sticks, the ultimate healthy snack packed with protein and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar and satisfy cravings. Made without sugar, additives, or preservatives, these meat sticks are perfect for on-the-go, guilt-free snacking. Choose from flavorful options like original summer sausage, garlic, teriyaki, and jalapeno, in both grass-fed beef and pasture-raised turkey. With an optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, these snacks help reduce inflammation and support immune health, energy, and radiant skin. Ready to try? Visit paleovalley.com/jockers for a 15% discount on PaleoValley today! When it comes to cooking, Chef Foundry offers the perfect solution with their P 600 ceramic cookware, which is free from Teflon, PFAS, and plastic coatings. Made with Swiss-engineered ceramic, this cookware makes it easy to prepare healthy meals without the toxins. Take 20% off with code SAFE20 at chefsfoundry.com/jockers and upgrade your kitchen today. Support healthy aging from the inside out with Fatty15—a 100% pure, patented, vegan C15 supplement designed to help strengthen cell membranes and support long-term cellular health. Get an additional 15% off the 90-day Subscription Starter Kit when you go to fatty15.com/drjockers and use code DRJOCKERS at checkout. BON CHARGE's Red Light Face Mask helps to restore glow, calm the complexion, and soften the visible signs of aging – all from the comfort of home. Order yours today and start seeing the amazing skincare benefits. Get 15% off now when you go to https://boncharge.com/ and use my exclusive promo code DRJOCKERS. "Cancer doesn't just happen—it's a culmination of imbalances, stress, toxins, and immune system breakdown over time." Subscribe to the podcast on: Apple Podcast Stitcher Spotify PodBean TuneIn Radio Resources: Visit paleovalley.com/jockers for a 15% discount Take 20% off with code SAFE20 at chefsfoundry.com/jockers and upgrade your kitchen today. Visit fatty15.com/drjockers and use code DRJOCKERS at checkout. Connect with Taylor Dukes: Website - https://taylordukeswellness.com/ Connect with Dr. Jockers: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drjockers/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DrDavidJockers YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/djockers Website – https://drjockers.com/ If you are interested in being a guest on the show, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us here! - https://drjockers.com/join-us-dr-jockers-functional-nutrition-podcast/
Fuel Her Awesome: Food Freedom, Body Love, Intuitive Eating & Nutrition Coaching
If you've ever thought, “I'm eating healthy… so why do I feel worse?” — this episode is for you. In today's conversation, we're breaking down GI-MAP testing in clear, human language. No fear-mongering. No over-promising. Just honest insight into what this popular gut health tool can and can't tell us—and how it can help bring clarity when symptoms feel confusing. You'll learn why more data doesn't always mean better outcomes, how gut testing fits into an empowered, food-first approach, and why the solution is almost never cutting more foods—but understanding which foods your body is ready for right now. Connect with us HERE. Learn more about working with the Empowered Eating team here! In This Episode, We Cover: What a GI-MAP actually is (and how PCR stool testing works—in plain English) What defines a “healthy gut” beyond perfect lab numbers What dysbiosis means—and why it's not a diagnosis or a life sentence The pros of GI-MAP testing and how it can help identify possible contributors to symptoms The limitations of GI-MAPs, including: Lack of regulation Cost considerations Emerging (but incomplete) microbiome science The risk of over-restriction without proper guidance A personal story of eating “healthier” and feeling worse—and how gut data helped explain why Why whole foods are always the foundation, but which whole foods matter Who GI-MAP testing is best suited for—and who it's not Key Takeaway GI-MAP testing isn't about controlling your gut or chasing perfect results. It's about listening to your body with better context, reducing guesswork, and choosing support strategies that actually align with where your gut is today. Data doesn't heal—but informed care does. Interested in GI-MAP Testing? If you're curious whether GI-MAP testing could be a helpful tool for your health journey, I offer guided GI-MAP testing with personalized interpretation and a food-first plan—so the data supports your life instead of overwhelming it.