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Send Vanessa a Text MessageA special listener discount is available for Mara Labs products featured in this episode: Explore Mara Labs (Code is VANESSA)If you enjoy the podcast and want to support Vanessa's work, you can do so here: Buy Me a Coffee – Intentionally WellIn this episode, I'm joined by David Roberts, founder of Mara Labs, for a conversation exploring cellular health, modern environmental stressors, and the body's natural resilience systems.David's journey into this space began after his late wife Mara's cancer diagnosis, which led him to deeply explore plant-based compounds and how they interact with cellular protection and repair mechanisms. That path eventually led to the development of BrocElite, a stabilized sulforaphane supplement designed to support detoxification pathways, mitochondrial function, and overall cellular resilience.We discuss topics including sulforaphane, oxidative stress, detoxification and autophagy pathways, metabolic health and GLP-1 signaling, genetic variability such as MTHFR and COMT, and how modern environmental exposures like microplastics may be impacting overall health.This is a wide-ranging conversation aimed at helping make complex biology more understandable and grounded in real-life application.Key Topics Covered: Sulforaphane and cellular defense systems Detoxification pathways and autophagy Mitochondrial health and oxidative stress Modern environmental exposures (including microplastics) Metabolic health and GLP-1 signaling Genetic variability (MTHFR / COMT) and sensitivity Why some people feel more reactive in today's environment Sulforaphane and pet health BrocElite and Mara Labs story Connect with David:Mara Labs on InstagramExplore Mara LabsConnect with Vanessa and the podcast: IWP Website: Intentionally Well PodcastIWP Recommended ProductsPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubeVanessa on TikTokVanessa on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the showThis episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.
Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:09 Hi there, how are you? Bob Miller 00:00:10 Excellent! Pedaling as fast as humanly possible, but doing okay. Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:14 Good, good. Well, I’m looking forward to our conversation today. This should be amazing. Bob Miller 00:00:20 Yeah, it should be a lot of fun. Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:22 Yeah, anything that’s off-limits for you in, our conversation? Bob Miller 00:00:28 No. Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:29 Okay, anything you want me to make sure we cover for you? Bob Miller 00:00:33 Well, I mean, is it okay if we put a little plug-in for our software? Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:35 Absolutely. Bob Miller 00:00:36 Yeah. Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:37 Absolutely. Bob Miller 00:00:36 Yeah. Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:37 Absolutely. Bob Miller 00:00:38 Hey, can we… can we do a screen share? Yes, we can. Yeah, because I want to show you some maps, and… Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:43 Okay. Things like that, yeah, so… Perfect. So just let me know when you want to do screen share. Bob Miller 00:00:48 Okay. Dr. Deb Muth 00:00:49 And yeah, feel free to plug your software wherever you want to. Bob Miller 00:00:53 Okay, well, good. Let me pull up a, a slide for that, and give me one second, I just want to shut the door to my office to get the noise down. Dr. Deb Muth 00:01:01 No worries. Bob Miller 00:01:16 And, how should I refer to you? Dr. Debb? Dr. Muth, what do you like? Dr. Deb Muth 00:01:18 Dr. Deb is great, or Deb, either way, I’m pretty informal, so… Bob Miller 00:01:22 Yeah, and… Bob is fine for me. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, there you go. Why people feel like they need this, son. Special name, it’s like, seriously. Dr. Deb Muth 00:01:33 Right? I agree. Bob Miller 00:01:35 When I work with my clients, it’s like, Dr. Millison, just, just bop, just, just bop. Dr. Deb Muth 00:01:41 Yep, that’s how I am, too. Just call me Deb, it’s good. Dr. Deb Muth 00:01:44 They feel a little awkward with that, you know? They’re not used to that, but… Bob Miller 00:01:48 Alright. And you’re a naturopath, medical doctor. Dr. Deb Muth 00:01:52 A nastropathic doctor and a nurse practitioner. Oh, nice. Yeah, so I got the best of both worlds, right? Bob Miller 00:01:58 Yeah, damn. Okay. Alright, so here we go… There we go. Alright, so I got that ready, and then I will do a, I will do a screen share. I think you’re gonna really, appreciate what we’ve come up with. We’ve come up with the concept of, Cellular CPR. Dr. Deb Muth 00:02:23 Oh, nice! Bob Miller 00:02:24 And that is, construct the cell membrane, Protect the cell membrane. And restore it if it’s damaged. Dr. Deb Muth 00:02:32 Love that. Bob Miller 00:02:34 I love that. Yeah, so that’s what we’re focusing on, and then how, You know, we want to get to the point that, you know, most people think of genetics, they think of, like, 23andMe or Ancestry. Dr. Deb Muth 00:02:44 Yeah. Bob Miller 00:02:45 And then you have the professional geneticists who are looking at, you know, odd things that could create a disease. We’re looking at functional genomics. Dr. Deb Muth 00:02:54 Which is so much better. Bob Miller 00:02:56 Yeah. Are you familiar with what we do here, or… Dr. Deb Muth 00:02:58 A little bit, a little bit. So, it’ll be new to me, too, so I’m excited. Bob Miller 00:03:03 And how much time do we have? Dr. Deb Muth 00:03:04 We have an hour, give or take a little bit on either side. Do you have a hard stop anywhere? Bob Miller 00:03:10 No, no, I put a, I moved my clients around, and I don’t have anybody till, 3.30, so we’re good. Okay. Dr. Deb Muth 00:03:16 Perfect. Alright. Bob Miller 00:03:18 It’s like we’re getting started early as well, so… Dr. Deb Muth 00:03:19 Yeah, we’re getting started a little bit early, so that’s good. Bob Miller 00:03:22 Yeah, I just got my office cleaned up, so… Dr. Deb Muth 00:03:23 Okay, good. All right, are you all set to get started? Bob Miller 00:03:28 I’m good to go, my friend. Dr. Deb Muth 00:03:29 I’m gonna just record a little intro and a little bit of a, hook for people, and then we’ll get started. I’ll ask you to kind of tell us a little bit about yourself, and then we’ll just take this conversation wherever it’s supposed to go. Bob Miller 00:03:39 Okay, you got it. Dr. Deb Muth 00:03:40 Alright, sounds good. So what if the reason you’re not healing isn’t your diet, your supplements, or your labs, but it’s actually your genes? Dr. Bob Miller is uncovering how genetic variants, when combined with modern toxins, explain why some of us stay sick no matter what we try. Today, we’re talking genetic pathways, detox blocks, and the new science every wellness warrior needs to know. Welcome back to Let’s Talk Wellness Now, the show where we uncover the root causes of chronic illness, exploring cutting-edge regenerative medicine, and empower you to heal from the inside out. I’m Dr. Deb, your medical detective, and today, our guest, Dr. Bob Miller, is a true pioneer in functional genomics. He’s a board-certified traditional naturopath and the founder of Neutrogenetic Research Institute. And he’s the leading groundbreaking research on how genetic variants influence chronic illness, inflammation, and detoxification. His work has been recognized on international stages, uncovering links between genetic expression and conditions like Lyme disease, mast cell activation, or MCAS, and mitochondrial dysfunction. I’m so excited to talk to Dr. Bob today. He is gonna reveal some things that even I don’t know about, so I’m excited to learn alongside of you guys. So… Dr. Bob, let’s get started. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and kind of how you got on this journey. Bob Miller 00:05:04 Well, that’s, that’s interesting. I was sort of like a mid-career coming to the natural health field, because in my early 30s, I found myself with a severe case of ulcerative colitis. Bob Miller 00:05:15 And I was in the hospital for 21 days. probably within hours of death, pleading to death. And they told me I’ve got one option, and that is cut out the colon and wear a bag. Didn’t sound like a lot of fun. Dr. Deb Muth 00:05:27 Not an option I would want. Bob Miller 00:05:29 So, you know, the medical folks wasn’t real happy with me, but I said, yeah, I’d like to explore some alternative things.Never thinking that I’d get into this field, and then I just, you know, worked with some herbalists and things that I found absolutely fascinating. So, that’s how I got into this around 30 years ago. And, haven’t looked back since, and just having a… having a blast as we now move into how our genetics impacts things. So, that’s what we’re gonna… that’s what we’re gonna talk about today. Dr. Deb Muth 00:05:58 I’m excited to talk about this genetic thing. When you started over 30 years ago, what kind of patience and problems first inspired you to dig deeper into that root cause healing and kind of get into the genetic piece of it? Bob Miller 00:06:10 Sure. Well, you know, as a… now, I’m in a part of the country called Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where there’s a lot of Amish and Mennonite, and they gravitate towards these things.So, this is their first thing to do, and that doesn’t work, then they’ll go other routes. So, you know, back then, we just saw typical, you know, a little tired, constipation. You know, a little bit of fatigue, arthritis, those kind of things. But things have changed dramatically over the years, as people are now getting more chronically sick. You know, it’s worse than it’s ever been. And what we’re finding is the, the culprits Primarily is mold exposure and Lyme disease. When people get those two together, they’re just… it’s an inflammatory cascade that nobody can seem to unravel. So that’s where we spend a lot of our time. And we’re also spending a lot of time looking at mental health, like ADD, ADHD. And, we give… this year I’ll be speaking at three autism conferences. And we can dig into that a little bit as to why we think we’re seeing such a dramatic increase. And aside from autism, that used to be 1 out of 1,000, now it’s 1 out of 33, or 23. You know, we’re also seeing dramatic increases in ADD, ADHD. People are stressed out. And today, I think we’ll have the time to actually go through and show how environmental factors combine with genetics to cause that to happen. So we’ll… we should have a fun visit here today. And today, I think we’ll have the time to actually go through and show how environmental factors combine with genetics to cause that to happen. So we’ll… we should have a fun visit here today. Dr. Deb Muth 00:07:37 This should be a fun visit. We can cover lots of topics. I am so excited. So, you founded Nutri Genetic Research Institute in 2015. What did you hope to accomplish, and what kind of surprised you in your findings so far about that? Bob Miller 00:07:51 Well, you know, let’s back up at what, you know, genetics is used for. Everybody’s familiar with 23andMe and Ancestry that, you know, tells you where your ancestors came from. Then you have your professional geneticists. I mean, these are people with a degree in genetics. And they’ll look for, you know, very odd sort of things that are prone to relate to a disease. So there are disease-related genetics. Well, in functional, we don’t look at either of those. We look at For example, how you’re breaking down your fats and utilizing them. How you’re recycling your glutathione. How you might be handling your iron. And none of those are disease-causing on their own.And none of those are disease-causing on their own. But when they pile up on you, and then combine that with environmental factors, that’s when things start to go south on us. So, that’s what we’re doing, we’re looking at patterns. And our first foray into this was, we did studies on Lyme disease. And our first foray into this was, we did studies on Lyme disease. So, we looked at, like, I think 50 people with Lyme disease. We looked at their genome. So, we looked at, like, I think 50 people with Lyme disease. We looked at their genome. And we found patterns that were more evident in those with Lyme. Now, this doesn’t… these genetics don’t mean you get Lyme, it just means if you get Lyme, you react worse to it. And we found patterns that were more evident in those with Lyme. Now, this doesn’t… these genetics don’t mean you get Lyme, it just means if you get Lyme, you react worse to it. So, as you know, some people get Lyme, they go on a round of antibiotics, and they’re done. So, as you know, some people get Lyme, they go on a round of antibiotics, and they’re done. Others have a little more struggle, and then others are struggling terribly for years. So there’s an old adage of genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger. Dr. Deb Muth 00:09:14 Yeah, that is so true, and I think when we’re talking about Lyme and mold and things like that, we forget sometimes that our genetics can predispose us to be more sensitive to those things, and if we have genetic pathways where we don’t clear things properly, it’s harder for us to get them out of the body. And then you add on that whole rain barrel effect that we’ve always used as a functional medicine term, right? If the barrel’s half full, you’re okay. If it’s full, and now it’s spilling over, it’s a bigger problem. Have you guys found, too, that some of these environmental things actually are changing the genetics of people, or how they’re processing their own genetics? Bob Miller 00:09:53 Well, let’s go back to, Genetics 101. But we’ll go back a little bit further. So, what an interesting mechanism, what a miracle the body is. Bob Miller 00:10:03 Fats, carbohydrates, proteins, drink water, breathe air, expose the sunlight, and somehow everything gets made. I mean, when you just step back and think about that, it’s like, It’s pretty darn amazing. Dr. Deb Muth 00:10:15 I always tell women, you know, the fact that we get pregnant and we have healthy pregnancies and births is a miracle, because if we had to try to control that, that wouldn’t work so well. Bob Miller 00:10:25 Right. Well, that’s another miracle. These microscopic sperm and egg, human being, 9 months later, it’s like. But even inside of us. We are making our hair, our skin, our nails, our blood vessels, our ATP, our energy, it’s all being created. Well, that gets created by enzymes. So, enzymes take one substance, combine it with something else, and make something new. Then another enzyme comes along and does the same thing. Your DNA is the instructions on how to make the enzymes. So, when we are conceived. If it’s a, if it’s a female, of course, it’s the XX, the two chromosomes. You know, we’ve… everybody’s seen those… the genetics that… Listed pair. So, if it’s a female, the father donated the X enzyme. And the mother has no choice but to give the eggs, so that’s female. If the father donates the Y, you have a male that’s in chromosome number 1. Then 2 through 23 is the rest of the instructions on how to make enzymes. So, what can happen? We can get what are called SNPs, single nucleotide polymorphisms. And SNPs just mean that the instructions to make the enzyme’s not quite as good. So, if one parent gives a SNP on the making of an enzyme, The enzyme’s fine. It works. But, general rule of thumb, It may only work at 70-80% of efficiency. Now, a good analogy is think of an 8-cylinder and a 6-cylinder car. If parents give you good information, that’s like having an 8-cylinder car. If one parent gives you that snip, it’s like having a 6-cylinder car. Now, is a 6-cylinder car a fine car? Sure. It’ll get you from point A to point B, but it’s just going to have the power of an 8-cylinder. Then if both parents give you a SNP on the same enzyme, it may be 30-40%, and that’s like having a 4-cylinder car. Sits in the driveway, looks the same, puts gas in it, everything. But if you’ve got a 4-cylinder car. Probably not a good idea to go cross-country pulling a trailer behind you up and down mountains. Dr. Deb Muth 00:12:29 This is true. Bob Miller 00:12:32 So… We can get an 8-cylinder, 6-cylinder, or 4-cylinder enzyme. Now, if it’s not under a lot of stress, if that 4-cylinder car is just taking you to the bank and the grocery store. It’s just as good as an 8-cylinder car. But if you gotta pull that trailer, and there’s a lot of stress on it, being mountains, it’s gonna struggle. Now, there’s one other little caveat to this, and that is some genetic mutations are gain-of-function. They actually work faster. Now, we have enzymes that do all kinds of things. We have enzymes that make and recycle our antioxidants, but we also have enzymes that make inflammation. No, that’s a good thing, because if we get a virus or bacteria, if you didn’t make inflammation to kill it, well, we’d all die of infection. So, you know, we tend to think of free radicals as bad, antioxidants as good. They both play an important role. But interestingly, some of the major enzymes that make inflammation, they can be overactive. They can be turbocharged. And when they’re stimulated by environmental toxins, they overreact. Bob Miller 00:13:40 And therein lies the problem. When they overreact, we have a problem. Bob Miller 00:13:46 So, if we have genes that overreact when stimulated. And then the enzymes that take care of inflammation are underactive. Then you’re gonna be more inflamed. You know, the majority of people that, you know, come for functional medicine Or naturopathic help, or… Inflammation that they can’t seem to get under control. Dr. Deb Muth 00:14:06 Right. Bob Miller 00:14:07 And we will be, you know, during this hour, we’re going to look at some of the pathways that make that happen. So, what we can do then, we can’t change our genetics. When you’re conceived, that’s the hand you’re dealt. When your life would be over, if someone would take some tissue and measure, it’d be exactly the same as conception. Does it change. Bob Miller 00:14:28 The enzyme’s ability to do its job may be compromised. Because remember I said there’s a, the enzyme takes a cofactor. So an enzyme takes substance A, cofactor, make substance B. Well, if that cofactor’s not there, the enzyme’s not going to work either. So, you could have an 8-cylinder car, and if there’s no gas in it, it’s not going anywhere. So… It’s the strength of the enzyme, it’s the cofactor to do the A to B conversion. And that’s what we’re going to get into. So, many people say, well, where did these SNPs come from? Nobody knows for sure. Sometimes they’re what’s just called de novo, when the sperm and egg go together, the instructions get mixed up a little bit. We do believe a lot of it came from a long time ago, when we were almost wiped out by sexually transmitted diseases. And those STDs were altering the genes when the conception, in other words, when the sperm went into the egg, the STDs were interfering. And causing the problem, so… I often joke, if you want to blame somebody. Blame your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents for, being a bit promiscuous, so… Dr. Deb Muth 00:15:31 Yeah, for being… having a little too much fun, right? Bob Miller 00:15:35 So, we don’t know for sure, but, you know, there are some that, But most of the SNPs that we get inherit from our parents. So, if you look at a child. And you look at the SNPs. 99.9% of the time, it came from one of the parents. Dr. Deb Muth 00:15:50 In identical twins, do they have the exact same identical makeup? Bob Miller 00:15:54 Yep, Dr. Deb Muth 00:15:56 But not in fraternal twins, correct? Bob Miller 00:15:59 No, no, those could be different, Jeff. Dr. Deb Muth 00:16:00 It could be different because they have different sacs, they’re not sharing that same genetic makeup. Bob Miller 00:16:04 Yeah, so keep in mind, both your mother and your father have, you know, the two And so you get one from one parent, one from another. Dr. Deb Muth 00:16:13 So… Bob Miller 00:16:14 Interesting situation. I had, 3, 3 boys. And, we were looking at an enzyme related to breaking down oxalates. Now, the mother and father each had one SNP, and that’s called heterozygous. Three boys, and they all come together, they’re Amish boys, they’re a lot of fun. And I looked at their genomes, and the one boy didn’t have any SNPs at all. And one had won. And the other one had two. Dr. Deb Muth 00:16:41 Interesting. Bob Miller 00:16:42 So, we don’t quite know how these things get handed off, but with the parents each having one, you could have a child with none, one, or two. So, the one, his ability to break down oxalates, which is fine. The other one was slightly impaired, and the other one was dramatically impaired. So, you can have 3 children, and it all depends what the parents have. Now, if a parent has a homozygous, or 2 copies. And the other parent has nothing. Every child will have one. Okay. If both parents are homozygous, that they both have two, Every child will have two. Dr. Deb Muth 00:17:19 too. Bob Miller 00:17:20 Yes, so that’s the way it works, but, you know, but it’s somewhat rare that both parents are homozygous on an enzyme, but it can happen. Dr. Deb Muth 00:17:27 Do we think that infections today, like Lyme disease or mold exposure, things like that, if the parent, the woman, primarily, I’m thinking, is pregnant, and she actively has these infections. Can those infections affect the genetics, kind of like a past sexual transmission did where we thought back in the day? Bob Miller 00:17:47 Yeah, I… I mean, I’m not that much of a geneticist to answer that for sure, but my thought would be no, that at conception, the pattern’s made. Dr. Deb Muth 00:17:55 Okay. And then that’s… that’s the hand you’re dealt. Bob Miller 00:17:58 Yeah. So, I tell people we have good news and bad news. The good news is we can compensate for the weakness. The bad news is we can compensate for the weakness. Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:09 That is so very true. Bob Miller 00:18:11 Yeah, we can’t, because I often get asked, so we’ll do some things now, and we’ll check my genes again, and they’ll be better. It’s like, nope. Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:18 Oh, – – Bob Miller 00:18:19 You gotta play the hands you’re dealt, so… Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:21 That’s right. Bob Miller 00:18:22 You can test your genetics… if you’re looking at the same enzyme, you can test it every year. It’s not gonna change. It’s like the blueprint. Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:30 It’s good and bad, right? It’s the one test you only have to do once in your lifetime. Bob Miller 00:18:34 No, unless, you know, like, our. Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:36 All the time. Bob Miller 00:18:37 Yeah, now our test looks at, called the Functional Genomic Analysis Test of your genomic Resource. We look at 220,000 steps. Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:46 Wow, that’s a lot. Bob Miller 00:18:47 That’s not all of them. Dr. Deb Muth 00:18:49 Right. Bob Miller 00:18:50 So, maybe in the next year, we’re gonna come out with our third version of the chip. And then, if someone wants to get those new things that weren’t on it, they’d have to repeat. But whatever we measured is gonna stay the same. Dr. Deb Muth 00:19:03 That’s a lot of SNPs to look at. Bob Miller 00:19:05 Keeps us busy. Dr. Deb Muth 00:19:06 But there’s still, but there’s still SNPs that we. Bob Miller 00:19:09 That we’d like to have that we don’t have, so… Bob Miller 00:19:11 We started out with version 1 on our genetic test, then we worked with version 2, and we’re already compiling a list of what version 3 would look like. So if somebody has our version 2, And we’re saying, you know what, it’d be nice if we could see these, well, then you’d repeat, but it won’t change what you already know, so… Dr. Deb Muth 00:19:29 Got it, got it. So, when you started out, and you started looking at the research of Lyme disease and chronic infections, which detox pathways are most important for people who struggle with those conditions? Bob Miller 00:19:43 Okay. You know what might make sense as we do a screen share, and I’ll actually show you the pathway. Does that make sense? Bob Miller 00:19:48 Alright, so… let’s see if I… let me just press the share… Dr. Deb Muth 00:19:52 Yep, you should just be able to press share. Bob Miller 00:19:54 And… number 2. Okay. Are we seeing the screen there? Bob Miller 00:20:01 Okay. Dr. Deb Muth 00:20:02 So, this is a map that we made. Bob Miller 00:20:05 And by the way, this is not… All-inclusive of all the things we look at, but we believe this is a core issue. So, where we’re going to start here, there’s something called the microglia. And the microglia are glial cells. They’re in the brain and the central nervous system. And they’re very interesting little creatures, because most of the time, and this is just a drawing of what they sort of look like. Most of the time, they’re in what’s called the M2 anti-inflammatory mood. What that means, these little guys pick up dirt, debris, Recycle them. Turns on an enzyme called interleukin-10 that’s anti-inflammatory. And just kind of does general housekeeping. And just kind of does general housekeeping. However, when a trigger comes along. However, when a trigger comes along. They… it’s the same glial cell, but it moves over to a very pro-inflammatory enzyme. A pro-inflammatory glial cell. And it triggers these 3 enzymes, Actually, these four. That are pro-inflammatory. Tumor necrosis vector alpha, Interleukin-6. NF Kappa B, Inos. Now, these create inflammation. So you might think, well, why is that good? Well, if you have some foreign invader, virus, bacteria coming in, parasite. If you didn’t have these guys coming to the rescue, you would just die of infection. So, these guys are your friend unless they’re your worst enemy. Because TNFA, and we’ll show you when we actually do a demo account, TNFA can be overactive. So, in other words, it over-responds. Interleukin-6 can be overactive. And if Kappa-B can be overactive. The INOS, and I’ll explain each of these as we go through a demo, can be overactive. Now, what that means is, you’re very good at killing virus and bacteria. But this is where autoimmune disease comes in, and just inflammatory conditions. Now, this is just speculation, but we think what happened is, as you know. Thousands of years ago, we didn’t have refrigeration, we didn’t have sewer, we didn’t have pure water, and we didn’t have antibiotics. So, if you made it to 40, you were an old-timer, because everybody was dying of infection. So, what we believe happened is, by what’s called natural selection, Having these overactive. A thousand years ago was to your advantage. Dr. Deb Muth 00:22:31 Hmm. Bob Miller 00:22:32 But now… We have pure water, we have refrigeration, we have sewers, we have antibiotics. But now we have environmental factors that are stimulating them. Now it’s to our disadvantage. And we’ll talk about that a little bit as it relates to the hemochromatosis genes and maybe the G6PD. Dr. Deb Muth 00:22:48 Yep. Bob Miller 00:22:49 Now, why are we becoming so inflamed? Let’s look at the triggers. Now, one of my, favorite expressions is. I was born all the way back in 1954. Dr. Deb Muth 00:23:01 And it was a different world back then. Bob Miller 00:23:05 These are some of the triggers. And we’ll get into these, but right now, high fructose corn syrup, And the high-fat diet. High fructose corn syrup only came about in 1968. So now we’re being exposed to high fructose corn syrup. Then… we didn’t have these, these viruses like COVID. Dr. Deb Muth 00:23:26 Yeah. Bob Miller 00:23:27 Now, there’s now pretty strong evidence that COVID Was actually, you know, made as a gain of function. It’s debated, and I’m not taking an opinion on it, but there’s some people who believe Lyme disease was also a part of experimentation. Dr. Deb Muth 00:23:40 Go. Bob Miller 00:23:41 Then we have molds, and it appears as though mold is getting stronger. you know, 20 years ago, when I was seeing folks, mold wasn’t on the radar. I would say 7 out of the 10 folks we speak to today have mold problems. Yeah, 20 years ago, we talked more about mold allergy being an issue versus mold toxicity being an issue. Right. So… I know some folks are, you know, speculating what’s happening, but one of the theories out there is that EMF is strengthening mold. I don’t know if you ever heard that theory, and I don’t… Dr. Deb Muth 00:24:13 I have. Bob Miller 00:24:14 I’m not claiming it’s true, but it’s an interesting theory. Then even, you know, your black mold from water-damaged buildings. Then our air pollution is getting worse. We’re getting more toxic metals. Dr. Deb Muth 00:24:26 You know, if we have a… Bob Miller 00:24:27 You know, we’re gonna look back someday and say, what were we thinking, smearing aluminum into our armpits? The, what were we doing putting mercury in our teeth? Then, you know, glyphosate. When I was a kid, there was no glyphosate. So, all of these herbicides and pesticides. Polychlorinated biphenols, And then EMF. So, we love our cell phones, you know, and I think unless you, or in the middle of the desert, or down in a cave, you’re being exposed to EMF somewhere. So, you know, we have our cell phones with us, we have, We have Wi-Fi, the towers are everywhere. And we don’t know long-term, but we may find that this can… this creates some inflammation. And I don’t know if you get any folks, but do you have any folks that have… are they EMF sensitive? Dr. Deb Muth 00:25:16 Oh yeah, we have a whole bunch of them. Bob Miller 00:25:18 Yeah, and then if you have any TBIs, So, plenty of things here. that will stimulate into the microglia, M1. Now, you could say, well. We’re all pretty much exposed to the same thing. Why do some people get hit harder than others? So here’s where we’re gonna start. There’s an enzyme called Nrf2 and RF2. And Nrf2 is the enzyme that senses when there’s inflammation. And turns on hundreds of anti-inflammatory enzymes. We’ll show when we do the demo, you can have genetic weakness on NERF2. And NERF2 inhibits and slows down microglia M1. supports M2. Now, if it’s not complicated enough, there’s an enzyme called KEEP1. And KEEP1 inhibits NRF2. And you can actually have gain of function on keep 1, that makes Keap 1 stronger. So… A lot of the people who land on my doorstep So… A lot of the people who land on my doorstep Both parents gave a mutation on KEEP1, making it overactive. Both parents gave a mutation on KEEP1, making it overactive. Dr. Deb Muth 00:26:31 Hmm. Dr. Deb Muth 00:26:31 Hmm. Bob Miller 00:26:32 Suppressing Nrf2, nerve 2 might be weak. So, nobody’s putting the brakes on, M1. And by the same token, Nerve 2 supports M2. Then there’s a process called mTOR and autophagy. mTOR stands for mammalian tard of rapamycin, the growth of new cells. And then autophagy, taking our dead cells and recycling them. We need a balance between the two of them. If we didn’t have mTOR, the sperm and the egg would never become the baby, the baby would never become the adult, we wouldn’t make new cells. But our cells are constantly, you know, the old cells dying off. Autophagy is where we take that debris from the cell and recycle it, just like a farmer Plows the crop under at the end of the year. The dead plant then becomes the fuel for the spring, your dead cell becomes the fuel for the spring, and that’s autophagy. So we’re gonna look back someday and say, what were we thinking? We give our animals growth hormones so they get fatter faster. Oh my. So, we consume those animals, and inventory runs faster. Now, for anybody who’s, You know, maybe above 40, 45 years old. Think back when you were 12, and what did girls look like? They were primarily flat-chested little girls. Now they look like 16-year-olds. Because environmentally, we’re jacking up mTOR. So, mTOR stimulates microglia M1, suppresses microglia M2. Probably 80% of the folks we visit with. This is the part of the problem. NRF2 is weak. mTOR is strong. Environmental factors come along. And this guy gets carried away. He doesn’t do that burst and move back. Stays here. We’re calling that How environmental factors create a locked-in, pro-inflammatory. and neurotoxic phenotype. In other words, once it starts, it just keeps… Feeding upon itself. Alright, so what happens now when microglia is overactive. it triggers these 3 enzymes, TNFA, N of kappa B, And interleukin-6. Each one of these can have genetics that make them run stronger. Then it stimulates an enzyme called NLRP3, Which makes what are called inflammasomes. Now, guess what inflammasomes can be? Your best friend or your worst enemy? Because they will, if you’ve got, again, a virus or bacteria, or possibly even some bad cells in the body. They will zap them. Well, that’s good. Unless it’s overactive. Unless it’s overactive. And then what it does, through interleukin-1 beta, makes excess glutamate. And then what it does, through interleukin-1 beta, makes excess glutamate. Anxiety, gut inflammation, OCD, ADD, autism. And, you know, glutamate, we’ll talk about that a little bit, but glutamate makes you intelligent, highly motivated go-getter. but can also be excitatory. And then, look what it does. Let’s see, do I have the drawing tool here? Yes, I do. Okay. So, it comes down through here, Makes the glutamate. Comes back up through here. through the ADORA 2A enzyme, Then we’ve got a feedback loop that feeds upon itself. Then, through interleukin-18, we make histamine. and mast cells. And then through histamine receptor site number 1, we come back and spin it. And now you’ve just got this spinning feedback loop. So, the glutamate will make you anxious, the histamine will give you allergies and make you anxious. And you’re allergic to everything, and you’re feeling horrible. Now, it doesn’t end there, Dr. Dad. It then goes on to make something called gast dermins that creates pyroptosis, where it actually starts punching a hole in the cell membrane. And you’re only going to be as healthy as your cells are. Just a little background. You know, we’re made up of trillions of cells, and each one of them has what’s called a lipid bilayer, made from lipids, which comes from fats. And you’re only going to be as healthy as those membranes are. So that’s why we coined an interesting phrase. Cellular CPR. Construct the cell. Protect the cell. And restore the cell membrane. And we believe that’s going to be revolutionary in the functional medicine world. So… It’s not hard to figure out that if you start punching holes in the cell membrane, that’s not a good thing, okay? Bob Miller 00:31:22 Now… There’s an interesting molecule called NAD. Thicotide adenoside dinucleotide. And anybody who’s in the, you know, listening to the health podcasts and things, they’re… They’re, they’re learning about NAD. And I’m going to show you a chart later, all the good things that NAD does, but For the most part, it helps what’s called sirtuins. And sirtuins are quite interesting. If anybody’s looking at longevity. The sirtuins is where they’re looking at.Because sirtuins turn on good things. Turn off bad things. And I’ll show some charts on that later. So for right here, this sirtuin uses NAD, to slow down NF-kappa-B. CERT 2 uses NAD to slow down an ORP3. So, if we’ve got genetic weakness on these, or we don’t have enough NAD, We don’t hold this pathway back. Make sense? Dr. Deb Muth 00:32:24 Yeah, makes perfect sense. Bob Miller 00:32:25 Now, I’ll show this a little bit later. So, people are like, oh, well, I’m gonna start taking some NAD. Dr. Deb Muth 00:32:31 Right. Bob Miller 00:32:32 And there’s functional doctors who give NAD intravenous. It was just this morning, I was talking to a woman who said, Oh my gosh. I went and got intravenous NAD, and it took me a month to recover from that. Dr. Deb Muth 00:32:45 Hmm. Bob Miller 00:32:46 what happens is, and I’ll show this in a little more detail, there’s an enzyme called CD38, that’s stimulated by NF-kappa-B. And it takes NAD, To make intracellular calcium. that stimulates NLRP3 and actually makes things worse. So, if we have this guy upregulated, and I’ll show a chart what does that. taking NAD will make you worse. Again, when I go into the software, I’ll show you that whole pathway, so… I would encourage people, you know, just don’t go out and start taking massive amounts of NAD, you know, stick your toe in the water, see how you do. Because everything you’ve heard about, how good it is, is true, unless this guy says, oh, thank you very much, let me make more inflammation. Now, this might be part of our innate immune system, that if we have some pathogen that’s gonna kill us. By golly, we want that to happen. But if this is happening by environmental factors, Then it’s detrimental. So the immune system that protected us a thousand years ago now might be turning on us because of the environmental factors that we showed earlier. All right. Then there’s an enzyme called PARP that’s NAD-dependent, and that actually repairs strain breaks in your DNA. Now, the next thing that happens… is there’s an enzyme called NADPH oxidase that gets stimulated. and something called INOS. Now, I’m sure most people know about nitric oxide. It’s a gas that dilates your blood vessels. That’s why sometimes they’ll even give people drugs, nitroglycerin, to boost their nitric oxide. That’s why people are doing beetroots and other things to boost their nitric oxide. But there’s an OS3 enzyme that makes the nitric oxide that’s good for blood flow. But there’s an INOS That makes nitric oxide to kill pathogens. probably might be the third or fourth time I’ve said this. That’s a good thing, unless it isn’t. So, if it’s killing some pathogen, great. It was just misfiring. it combines… With superoxide that’s made by this enzyme, and makes something called peroxynitrite, which is one nasty free radical that chews you up and spits you out. So, the NOx enzyme, NADPH oxidase, uses NADPH, To make this free radical called superoxide. If we have time, we’ll get into it. NADPH is what your body needs to recycle your antioxidants.So, I coined the phrase, the NADPH steel. Where the NOX enzyme takes this very important NADPH, And rather than being useful, makes superoxide. Now, again, is that fine if you’ve got some bacteria to kill? Of course. But if it’s just chronically running, it’s just making all this chronic inflammation. Then it makes something called hydrogen peroxide. And we need to clear hydrogen peroxide by 3 enzymes, catalase, thyroid reduction. And glutathione peroxidase. If we have genetic issues on here, or we don’t have the cofactors. There’s something called the Fenton reaction, discovered in 1895 by Dr. Fenton. Where hydrogen peroxide combines with iron to make what are called hydroxyl radicals. And guess what they do? They create lipid peroxides, That damages your cell membranes. Now, again, the body’s pretty darn amazing. We have glutathione, And here’s where your body’s taking glutathione and recycling it. But look who’s needed to recycle it. NADPH. So, if this guy up here is chewing it up, We don’t recycle our glutathione. And then an enzyme called glufon peroxidase 4, Takes this damaged lipid and repairs it. So, here we’ve got this protecting, we want to protect it by not having this happen. But then we also need this guy to do the restoration. So, there’s a lot that can go wrong in here, Dr. Deb. Dr. Deb Muth 00:37:07 There’s a lot that could go wrong. And I can imagine some of my listeners are thinking that lipid peroxidase, is that the same thing as what they’re thinking of when we talk about lipids and cholesterol? Is that the same process that’s happening there? Bob Miller 00:37:22 Well, no, no, the lipids can be used to make cholesterol, but here we’re talking about where they’re going to build the cell membrane. And they’re being… and they’re being, destroyed. If anybody would like to see a visual representation of this, just go on YouTube. And type in, ferrooptosis Animation. cool little video, it’s about 3 minutes long, and it shows the lipids coming over, being oxidized, and now GPX4 fixes them, so… YouTube, Pharaoptosis Animation, cute little video. It’s just that really… Shows vividly what we’re… what we’re talking about here. Now, this is… Dr. Deb Muth 00:37:59 And so this is very common, too. Like, a lot of people do hydrogen peroxide IVs. Dr. Deb Muth 00:38:04 And so, if somebody doesn’t know their genetics, they could have a problem with doing those, just like they could doing the NADHIVs, correct? Bob Miller 00:38:13 Sure, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, I’ve talked to so many, you know, of course, the hydrogen peroxide kills pathogens. I mean, that’s what it does. So… but I’ve spoken to so many people that said. I had one client that said they’ve never been the same after having one hydrogen peroxide infusion. Dr. Deb Muth 00:38:30 Interesting. Bob Miller 00:38:31 Yeah. So… it can be… I see why people use it, because it. Bob Miller 00:38:36 pathogens, But on the other hand. And now’s a good time to speak about… I don’t have it on here, but there’s a, there’s an enzyme called the HFE gene. And that is what causes you to absorb iron. And there’s mutations in it that cause something called hemochromatosis. Were you overabsorb iron? Now, true hemochromatosis is when both parents give you a mutation. But there’s now growing evidence even a heterozygous can cause a little bit more iron absorption, not to the human chromatosis point, but overabsorption. So, if you overabsorb iron, And you have too much hydrogen peroxide that’s not cleared, All kinds of inflammation. Now, what’s happened is sometimes this inflammation Will damage the red blood cells. And some well-meaning doctor says, oh, you need some iron. And they take iron and it makes it worse. So, can’t tell you how many people I’ve said, you’ve got the overabsorption of iron, and they say, well, that can’t be right, because I’m low in iron. Well, that could be because it’s being chewed up here. Dr. Deb Muth 00:39:40 Sure. GPX1 and TXN turn it into, to water. The, catalase turns it into water and oxygen. Dr. Deb Muth 00:39:58 Now, I see a lot of my clients who have mutations or SNPs on that GPX gene, on that glutathione gene. And they really struggle to clear a lot of their toxins. Bob Miller 00:40:12 Sure. Dr. Deb Muth 00:40:14 Yeah, absolutely. Well, GPX4. Bob Miller 00:40:18 is what, repairs, but you can see GPX1 Is what uses glutathione. To turn hydrogen peroxide. So, but it all depends upon having enough glutathione. Dr. Deb Muth 00:40:30 Yeah. Bob Miller 00:40:31 Well, guess who controls making a glutathione? Dr. Deb Muth 00:40:34 Nerf 2. Bob Miller 00:40:37 So, if you have a keep one weakness, or strength to two… I’m sorry, keep one is too strong. Nrf2 is too weak. You don’t make glutathione. So, when a lot of people do that, it’s like, well, I’m gonna take glutathione. Dr. Deb Muth 00:40:51 Right. Bob Miller 00:40:52 And some do great, and some do poorly. You know, because… and I’ll show this on one of the other charts. You can see here that the, The glutathione has to be recycled. And if we don’t recycle it, it actually turns into superoxide free radical. So… NADPH are the cofactors, For taking the oxidi… here’s oxidized glutathione, here’s reduced. So, this is a good glutathione. After it does its job, you can see it becomes oxidized.We need to recycle it. Well, if we have weakness on the enzyme that does that, or a weakness in Nrf2, or not enough NADPH. The oxidized glutathione never gets recycled. So, I’ve talked to a lot of people who said, oh, glutathione made me so sick, and say, well. Dr. Deb Muth 00:41:43 Yeah. Bob Miller 00:41:44 You need it, but you need to recycle it. Dr. Deb Muth 00:41:46 Can you speak for just a brief moment, too, about MTHFR? That is a very popular gene, it’s all over social media as the major gene, but can you speak to a little bit about that, and how that fits into this whole process of things? Because it is just such a small piece. Dr. Deb Muth 00:42:04 understanding genetics. Bob Miller 00:42:06 Yeah, to be honest, it drives me nuts. Dr. Deb Muth 00:42:08 Me too. Bob Miller 00:42:11 Alright, so… You know, there are people on social media I won’t say what I think, I’ll be kind. But… But the, And, you know, they might mean well. But they talk about, if you have MTHFR and COMT and PEMT, that’s… oh my goodness, that’s horrible, and we’ll fix that for you, and you’ll be fine. Bob Miller 00:42:36 it just irritates me to no end. And it really could get anybody who’s doing this legitimately in trouble. I mean, I’m afraid someday, you know, there might be some cracking down on this kind of nonsense. Now, to answer your question about MTHFR. Dr. Deb Muth 00:42:51 I mean, it really is, but I’ll tell you what, why don’t we hold that thought until I go to another map and I can actually… Okay. Bob Miller 00:42:56 But the real… the cliff notes is the MTHFR puts a methyl group on your folate, which is needed, but it has gotten way, way, way too much attention. And people learn they have MTHFR, and they start taking a multivitamin with methylfolate, then they take a B vitamin with methylfolate. Dr. Deb Muth 00:43:13 And they’re pushing it too hard. Bob Miller 00:43:15 Yeah. So I can’t tell you how many people I’ve helped by saying, stop it. Dr. Deb Muth 00:43:20 Yeah, take less of it. Bob Miller 00:43:21 Take less of it, yeah. So, yeah. Yeah, there’s a… If somebody, say, ranked the enzymes at their level of importance, MTHFR might be 40 or 50 on a scale of 100, you know. Keep one Nerf two. big deals. Dr. Deb Muth 00:43:40 deals. Bob Miller 00:43:41 NQO1 that I didn’t even talk about yet, NQO1, takes your, NA… your NAD goes into NADH, To make electrons for the electron transport chain. you need NQ01 to bring that back. If that’s not working, and I’ll show you on the NAD map how disastrous that can be. Now, the next piece is here, and I think You know, if you talk to any school teachers and say, if you’ve taught for more than 10 years, how are the kids today? Every one of them says, more ADD, ADHD, more autism. Just look at human beings, we’ve never been so agitated. You know, everybody, and it might be a social media thing, but people take a position on something, and if anybody doesn’t share that position, they view them as the enemy. Dr. Deb Muth 00:44:29 And it’s kind of scary what’s happening to us. Bob Miller 00:44:33 So, we can’t agree to disagree anymore. We see anybody who has a differing opinion as the enemy. And, you know, there was… there’s people that didn’t have Christmas dinners together, because they had political differences, like… Dr. Deb Muth 00:44:44 Excuse me. Bob Miller 00:44:45 can’t you put your political differences aside to have Christmas together, you know? Dr. Deb Muth 00:44:49 Right? Bob Miller 00:44:50 become that, you know, no matter what your position is, and I’m not saying anyone’s right or wrong, I’m just saying. You know, in the old days, they used to say that the Republicans and Democrats in Congress would argue policy and then go have dinner together. And now everybody’s all up in arms, angry. Dr. Deb Muth 00:45:05 Yeah. Bob Miller 00:45:06 So… There’s likely multiple reasons for that. But let me show you one of them. That, you know, to what degree this is… very important, we don’t know, but I think We’re beginning to believe this is very important. So, there’s something… there’s a neurotransmitter called GABA. And God buys the don’t worry, relax, be happy. Chill. Okay. Dr. Deb Muth 00:45:31 Nobody has enough of that anymore. Bob Miller 00:45:33 Well, yeah, you’ll be surprised what I’m gonna show you. So, let me see if I can find a, Let me see if I can find the right slide here. Let me look for it here. So, there’s something called a GABA receptor site. And here you can see… This is a neuron, and this is where you, The neuron normally is excitatory. However, there’s normally low chloride in the neuron. Dr. Deb Muth 00:46:09 Hmm. Bob Miller 00:46:10 So, GABA itself is neither relaxing. For excitatory, all GABA does, it opens up what’s called a chloride channel. And then chloride, which has a negative charge, will flow into the neuron. Follow me there? Dr. Deb Muth 00:46:26 Yep. Bob Miller 00:46:27 And as it does, it changes this from a positive charge to a negative charge, And it’s relaxing. and inhibitory. Dr. Deb Muth 00:46:34 Hmm. Bob Miller 00:46:36 Now, on the other hand, there’s enzymes called NKCC1, That will push chloride in. and KCC2 that will bring chlor… oops and bring chloride out. And then there’s a sodium channel. And, sodium has a positive charge. And glutamate will push that in. So, as long as this is happening. And GABA says, receptor sites, open, chloride goes in, Chill. However, If NKCC1 Pushes extra chloride in. KCC2 doesn’t pull it out. and GABA hits the receptor site, the GABA comes flowing out, Sodium comes in, And now it’s excitatory. So Gabba didn’t change. GABA just opened the receptor site, that’s all it does. Dr. Deb Muth 00:47:33 Yeah. Bob Miller 00:47:34 But it’s the chloride balance that’s going to determine whether this is relaxing or not. Now, these are the things that go along with when they lose that KCC2 or gain NKCC1. Pain and sensitivity, burning electrical, neuropathic pain. Normal touch hurts. Sound and light sensitivity. Tinnitus can flare. Headaches and migraines. Seizure tendency. Body jolts. Spasticity, cramps, stiffness, startle reflex. Trouble falling asleep, non-restorative sleep. Anxiety, stress, reactivity, that’s what we have now. Hyperarousal, panic-like surges, irritability, racing thoughts. Brain fog, slowed processing, working memory slip-ups. Mental fatigue. Episodes of racing hearts, sweaty palms, guts on edge. Those are all the things that happen when this GABA switch occurs. Now, here’s what happens, and this is what I’m going to be presenting at an autism conference. When you have a newborn, they need that NKCC dominant to develop. By early childhood, it should… or, sorry, early adulthood. we should move over to the KCC dominant, that’s the taking the chloride out. Nice-looking 25-year-old boys, functioning very well. However, when we get microglia M1 upregulated. Because of environmental toxins, processed foods, Tylenol, aluminum. they stay in NKCC1 dominant, and there’s ADD, ADHD, Autism, the whole spectrum. because… They’ve not moved over to the… They’ve not moved over to the KCC2. And again, this is caused by… Environmental factors. Stimulating the microglia. And then, interleukin-1, interleukin-18 weakens KCC2, interleukin-1 beta, Strengthens NKCC1. high chloride. We open up the chloride channel, In Rebell Excitatory. So, I think when, When the pediatricians get ahold of this, they’re going to be very excited to know that This could be why we’re seeing such a rise, and not just autism, but ADD, ADHD, anxiety, the whole shit mess. Dr. Deb Muth 00:49:58 thing. Bob Miller 00:49:59 Yeah, so… and you can see NF-kappa-B stimulates that. These stimulate it, and I think that’s why everyone’s getting so anxious. Now, there’s a little bit more to it, and we’ll get into this when we look at some of the maps, but… The, the glutamate, Which is excitatory. will stimulate the NMDA receptor, make more glutamate, And glutamate will inhibit KCC2. And then we also need an astrocyte To, take both ammonia And glutamate, and… Turn them back into glutamine. And I’m going to talk to you a little bit about arachidenic acid, and if we have too much arachidenic acid. or TNFA is upregulated, that doesn’t happen. Ammonia goes up, and there may be multiple reasons for this, but this is a reason why some of the autistic kids do flapping. Dr. Deb Muth 00:50:49 Hmm. Bob Miller 00:50:50 Because they’re not clearing their ammonia. And you can tell if somebody has high ammonia by… they get that old person smell, you know. Dr. Deb Muth 00:51:00 Yup. Bob Miller 00:51:01 your vehicle cycle’s not taking out the, the ammonia. Now, last pathway here. There’s growing interest in mast cell activation. So, back here, we talked about peroxynitride. And that will stimulate mast cells, and those are white blood cells that are your best friend, unless they’re your worst enemy. Then it’ll make histamine. And there’s enzymes called histidine decarboxylase that’ll make more. Dr. Deb Muth 00:51:28 I’m sure everybody’s heard of DAO, the enzyme that degrades histamine. Yep. Bob Miller 00:51:31 We can have genetic weakness, we don’t make that. There’s an enzyme called histamine and methyltransferase, That, That breaks down the histamine. Then if we don’t do that, it’ll get stuck in the histamine receptor site. And then it’ll make something called, renin. Which will cause angiotensinogen to turn into angiotensin. One, that turns into angiotensin II,And that’s where people make aldosterone, where they’ll get the, The swollen ankles and high blood pressure. But interestingly, there’s an enzyme called ACE2, that takes this guy and turns it into angiotensin 1-7, Which is anti-inflammatory and also inhibits… TNFA. Now, you can have weakness on ACE2, But… and anybody’s saying, that sounds familiar? Dr. Deb Muth 00:52:25 That’s where COVID comes in, using ACE2. Bob Miller 00:52:28 And now we just found there’s literature that if you get COVID long enough, it can actually make ACE2 not be able to work as well. So look what it does. It comes down here, stimulates the NADPH oxidase, More superoxide. More peroxynitrite. And we’re on a cycle here. We’ve actually named this the Home Cycle Hypothesis, the proposed feed-forward loop. That just keeps feeding on itself. All being caused by… Primarily, The environmental factors. But hitting those who have genetic weakness the hardest. That’s why. Dr. Deb Muth 00:53:08 To the people. Bob Miller 00:53:09 Don’t live in a moldy house. One person is sick as can be, and the other person says, well, you must be imagining things, because I don’t feel anything. Dr. Deb Muth Yeah. Same thing with long haul, right? Two people can both get sick, one gets sick and never seems to recover, and somebody else gets sick, and they have absolutely no problems with it at all. Bob Miller 00:53:30 Sure. Well, think about it, if you get COVID, and ACE2 is weak, and some of this other stuff is going on. This thing just starts feeding upon itself. Dr. Deb Muth 00:53:38 Keep creating more inflammation, more complications, nothing’s calming down. Bob Miller 00:53:43 Yeah. Now, you, you ask about, MTHFR. So, this is the, this is the, the software called Functional Genomic Analysis. There’s a demo report we have. So, let’s talk a little bit about, MTHFR. So, we actually have a map called a methylation map. Now, what happens is, when you do your saliva test, you, you know, you spit, you put some saliva. in a collection kit, goes to a lab, takes out the DNA data, sends it to the computer, and now you can actually see it visually. Okay. So, it’s gonna take a second for this, data to load up, it’s, and each of these Circles, each of these ovals, is an enzyme. And the data gets loaded up to see where it is. So, until it gets loaded up here, I didn’t preload this. There it goes. So… The primary thing about methylation is There’s a nasty substance called homocysteine that, if it’s too high, can really be detrimental. The body takes methylfolate, and combines with methyl B12, To bring this back up to methionine. And then through the MAT genes, we make SAMI, S-adml methionine. Which is involved in so many processes. Then after it does its thing, it turns back into homocysteine. And this thing needs to keep spinning around. That’s why, you know, it’s a good idea to keep homocysteine at, do you have a number that you’d like? 7, 8? What do you like for a number? Dr. Deb Muth 00:55:24 Yeah, I like mine below 7. Bob Miller 00:55:26 Yeah. So if the homocysteine goes too high. It, caused all kinds of problems. So, here’s where you ask about the MTHFR. So, here you can see on this individual. I click on MTHFR, and you can see it comes up here, here’s the C677. And you can see here where it says, variants. I’ll… I’ll draw in case somebody’s having a hard time seeing that. So, you can see there’s nothing in there. That means there’s no genetic mutations. If one parent would have given a mutation, there’d be a 1. If both parents did, there’d be a 2. Now, here’s why Yes, methylation is important, I’m not saying it isn’t important, but look at this MTHFRC677. In my software. Only 42.5% of the population does not have a mutation. 44.7% have won. 12.9 have 2. So, this isn’t some rare, oh my god, I’m gonna die… Kind of thing, yeah. Dr. Deb Muth 00:56:27 Right. Bob Miller 00:56:28 So, And then what happens is that, and again, I’m not dismissing methylation, I… we could do a whole show on methylation. Bob Miller 00:56:36 get it. But I think that what people are doing is they’re, they’re learning about MTHFR, they get it measured, they panic. They start taking massive amounts of methylfolate, which many times is to their detriment. Dr. Deb Muth 00:56:50 Well, it’s… and isn’t it true, too, with MTHFR, like, you have to also look at MTR, MTRR, and the more we stack up of those, the more complicated than MTHFR can be. It’s not… it’s not as simple as just saying MTHFR 677 versus 1298. It’s more complex than that, kind of like what you’ve already shown with some of the other things. There’s more to it than just that one little sliver. Bob Miller 00:57:17 Oh, sure, well, let’s take a look. So, remember I said there’s a cofactor? One of the cofactors is called FAD. Just a Bob Miller observation, that’s all. But when people have trouble with their riboflavin and they don’t have enough FAD, They’re doing much worse than people who have just a C677. So, right here, you could have perfect C677th. And if you don’t have the cofactor, it’s not gonna work, okay? Dr. Deb Muth 00:57:48 And as you said, there’s an MTR enzyme. Bob Miller 00:57:51 that takes methylfolate and methyl B12, to spin it around. So, here on this individual. here’s your… here’s your B vitamins, or I’m sorry, your B12s. There’s an enzyme called TCN1 that takes it from the stomach into the blood. Then there’s other enzymes that take it from the blood into the tissue. And if you’re having trouble here. Well, then you’re not going to have this working, so… Even if you don’t have MTHFR, And you have MTR, like this, no, I’m sorry, this person doesn’t. But they have the MTRR, and then they don’t have enough B12, this isn’t gonna work, aside from that. And then there’s a middle pathway. And then there’s enzymes called the MAT1. they take the methionine to the salmon. If that’s not working, we stick… we get stuck in methionine. So, it’s, it’s not just an MTHFR. And then, one of the things that people forget about. is through these CBS enzymes and CTH, We make cysteine, which is needed to make glutathione. The master antioxidant. So, it really is that… I call it the, The 3D chess game played underwater. Dr. Deb Muth 00:59:07 It really is. I mean, I see people who have CVS, COMT, glutathione, MGHFR genes. And some of them function just fine. Like, they have Like, I look at this person and I’m like, oh my gosh, I don’t know how they’re functioning because they’re double mutated on so many pathways, but yet they don’t have a lot of symptoms, they don’t have a lot of complications. Somehow their body has figured out a way to adapt to what it has so it can stay alive and it can function at a high functioning level. Bob Miller 00:59:36 Yeah, and they may be, you know, eating right? Yeah. Staying out of a moldy house. reducing stress. So, it’s diet, it’s stress, it’s genetics, environmental factors. So, yeah, we can’t just say somebody’s gonna be good or somebody’s gonna be bad. You know, some people get scared, oh, I got all these, it’s like, well… Bob Miller 00:59:56 Are you living in a moldy house? You know, and if you live in a moldy house and your glucuronidation pathway doesn’t do well, or if you’re, you know, a smoker, or you’re constantly eating junk food, I mean, all. Bob Miller 01:00:07 things come together. Although, you know, when we focus on genetics, we’re well aware that this is just a piece of it. You know, you could have identical twins, Genetically, and if one… Is exposed to mold and smokes and drinks and stressed out. They’re gonna be a whole lot sicker than their sibling. Bob Miller 01:00:28 Yep. Dr. Deb Muth 01:00:29 Yeah, it’s that concept of taking twins, and one gets raced with one family, and one gets raced with another family, and they don’t have the same… problems that… that each other have, you know? It’s a very unique situation, we don’t think about that enough. Bob Miller 01:00:44 Alright, so again, genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger. So, if you’ve got a loaded gun, but you don’t have the triggers, you’re okay. Dr. Deb Muth 01:00:53 Yeah. Bob Miller 01:00:54 Yeah. So, remember I said I was going to talk about NAD? So, here’s NAD, and what it does, it turns into NADH. And what NADH does, it, Comes down this pathway, what’s called the electron transport chain. And that makes your ATP, that’s your energy. So, if this wasn’t working, we wouldn’t be alive, because we wouldn’t have energy. So it donates an electron, that’s why it’s called electron transport chain. So, we need NAD, To make this, to make the energy. But remember I said that NQ01, this would probably be, like, on my top 10 list of… Bob Miller 01:01:36 Much more important than MTHFR. This one takes NADH back to NAD. If we’re stuck over here, We’re low in this NAD+, But what happens is, NQO1 also provides CoQ10. And CoQ10 Is what’s needed for the electron transport chain to flow. So if we get too many electrons up here. And they don’t turn them into energy. They make a nasty free radical called superoxide. Okay. Now, NAD plus also makes NADPH, And that is needed. Remember I said we need to recycle our antioxidants. So, if we have a problem with FAD from riboflavin. Yeah, we don’t have enough NADPH, Glutathione’s not getting recycled, and you’re gonna be inflamed. And you take glutathione, you’ll feel worse. There’s another enzyme called thimoredoxin. Same thing, needs NADPH and FAD. And same way with your nitric oxide, there’s an enzyme called NOS3, That makes the nitric oxide that dilates your blood vessels. And if we don’t have enough NADPH or fat, You’re gonna make superoxide. Rather than nitric oxide. Now, remember
Is a hidden molecule in your food and water silently fueling cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's? Could the supplements you trust every day be making it worse?Dr. Stephanie Seneff is a senior research scientist at MIT (published in PNAS, Frontiers, FASEB) with a career studying nutrition, biology, and toxicology. In this conversation, she explains why deuterium — a heavier form of hydrogen — may be the most underrated driver of chronic disease, why cancer might be the body's repair response to deuterium-damaged mitochondria, and why most supplements may backfire.We discuss:◾ Why deuterium may be the most important molecule you've never heard of◾ How glyphosate stops your body from clearing deuterium◾ The two supplements you should stop taking immediately◾ Why she says: "I don't believe in supplements"◾ Why chemo may be working backwards on cancer◾ How to make your gut produce low-deuterium water◾ The folic-acid-in-pregnancy and autism connection◾ Why she drinks deuterium-depleted water every dayThis is Dr. Seneff's second appearance on Live Longer World. Her first episode on glyphosate is linked below.Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/sseneff2Find me on X: https://x.com/aasthajs My health stack: https://www.healthstacked.com/aasthajsTIMESTAMPS:0:00 Why deuterium might be the most important molecule you've never heard of5:09 The hidden reason processed food is wrecking your health7:25 How deuterium breaks your mitochondria11:02 Glyphosate stops your body from rationing deuterium (and the osteoporosis link)18:23 Health Stacked19:07 No one is connecting gut health to deuterium, until now22:45 The two nutrients that help your gut clear deuterium25:29 Methylation, melatonin, and protecting your mitochondria33:14 Why melatonin supplements don't actually work34:08 The two supplements you should stop taking immediately38:06 How to make your gut produce low-deuterium water41:12 How glyphosate suppresses your MTHFR gene43:21 Why folate supplementation is a problem45:06 "I don't believe in supplements", Stephanie's case against them46:02 Why she's suspicious of fish oil47:47 The folic-acid-in-pregnancy and autism connection52:37 How glyphosate is quietly causing bone problems56:22 Inflammation is really a deuterium problem1:01:25 Gerald Pollack's EZ water and how your cells expel deuterium1:04:59 Why breast milk is low in deuterium1:09:03 Cancer's real job: repairing your mitochondria (and why chemo may be a mistake)1:23:14 How deuterium-depleted water may help heal cancer1:26:57 Deuterium and Parkinson's: how plaque traps it1:30:37 How to fight Parkinson's1:33:55 Why Stephanie drinks deuterium-depleted water every day1:36:37 What glyphosate does to your sulfation system1:38:38 How grounding reduces deuterium1:39:42 Jack Kruse on glyphosate and melanin1:40:08 Are seed oils high in deuterium? 1:45:05 Does where you live (and sunlight) affect your deuterium?1:47:05 Practical tips to manage your deuterium loadDr. STEPHANIE SENEFF:Website: https://stephanieseneff.net/X: https://x.com/stephanieseneffAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:Join 2,000+ others for practical health protocols on circadian alignment, light, sleep, & non-toxic living: https://livelongerworld.com/X: https://x.com/aasthajs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/My health stack: https://www.healthstacked.com/aasthajsIntroducing HEALTH STACKED: https://www.healthstacked.com/I built the health store I've always wanted. Health Stacked is a vetted marketplace of 500+ health & longevity products across 12 categories like sleep, fitness, non-toxic home, lighting & EMF, and more. Products are screened for plastic, PFAS, and 20+ toxins. Inclusion is 100% merit-based. And every product has been hand-picked by me.RELATED EPISODES:Glyphosate Toxicity & Deuterium's Role in Cancer, Celiac, Aging | Dr. Stephanie Seneff: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HFmNT0fLCckXvrC1XRSFt?si=cSv7wuPPTm2wE5YSMY2L3w
Dr. Stacey Clardy discusses methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in this lab minute. Show transcript: Dr. Stacey Clardy: Hi, this is Stacey Clardy from the Salt Lake City VA in the University of Utah. Let's do a lab minute today on MTHFR. This one just simply will not go away. This is one of those topics where a huge amount of patient anxiety is inversely proportional to the utility of a test. So MTHFR is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. It's the enzyme that helps generate five methyltetrahydrofolates supporting remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. That biochemistry does matter because the clinical leap that often follows is the problem. So the common polymorphisms of MTHFR are C677T and A1298C. They are widespread in the general population. A recurring misunderstanding is that ordering MTHFR genotyping in a thrombophilia evaluation or as a catchall explanation for you name it, migraines, neuropathy, psychiatric symptoms, nondescript inflammation, is going to give you the answer. The best evidence-based guidance is that MTHFR polymorphism testing has minimal clinical utility and should not be ordered routinely, particularly not as part of a thrombophilia evaluation.So what do we do when a patient arrives with one of these MTHFR results and they are concerned? I try to translate into what actually matters clinically. If there is a concern for thrombotic risk or a documented thrombotic risk event, I focus on established thrombophilias and clinical risk factors and not common MTHFR isolated variants. Now, if the concern is folate metabolism and homocystine, well, we can actually measure those nutritional markers and homocystine. And so if homocystine is elevated, the next thing I'll do is consider the context. And if their folate is low or if one of their B vitamins is low, I replace it rather than building a medical mythology around a genotype that's not going to change the management for most patients. So that's an approach and an update to MTHFR. I hope it's helpful. This is Stacey Clardy, until next time.
If you are thinking about having a baby in the next year or two, or you have been trying for a while and wondering if your nutrition could be doing more, this episode is a genuinely useful place to start. And if you are in your 20s or 30s and have not had a blood test recently because you feel fine and assume everything is probably okay, Leanne and Susie have something to say about that too. This week on The Nutrition Couch, they dig into the nutrition and lifestyle strategies that actually move the needle on fertility outcomes, what the research says about diet patterns, key nutrients, and male fertility, and the common mistakes that quietly work against conception that most women have never been told about. In this episode: The Australian longitudinal study of over 5,000 women linking anti-inflammatory dietary patterns to better fertility outcomes, and what that actually looks like on a plate day to day The key nutrients that appear time and time again in fertility research: omega-3s, vitamin D, vitamin E, and natural folate, why food sources beat supplements in almost every case, and the one supplement Susie did take during pregnancy The MTHFR gene mutation: what it is, how common it is, why women with this mutation should not be taking synthetic folate in standard prenatal supplements, and how to find out if you have it Why male fertility contributes to 40 to 50% of fertility challenges and is chronically overlooked, and what partners should actually be doing differently The under-eating and overtraining pattern that silently disrupts ovulation and hormonal health even in women who appear to be doing everything right The truth about caffeine and fertility: the research does not say what most people assume, and Susie explains exactly how much is genuinely safe if you are trying to conceive The blood tests Leanne recommends for every woman in her 20s and 30s, including the ones most GPs do not automatically order, and the vague symptoms that are easy to dismiss but might actually signal something easily fixed Why low ferritin is one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated issues in young Australian women, and Susie's case study of a client whose iron had been dangerously low for two decades without anyone properly addressing it The Harvest Pantry Protein Smoothie reviewed: clean ingredients, impressive packaging, and a protein claim on the front of the pack that requires an asterisk the size of a footnote to actually be true The nine-month-old baby and solids question: how much milk is too much, why iron should be the focus of every meal at this age, and the feeding order that makes a bigger difference than most parents realise Shop Designed by Dietitians: Looking to support your protein, creatine, magnesium, or collagen intake with evidence-based supplements made in Australia? Visit designedbydietitians.com Keep sharing The Nutrition Couch with the women in your life. This is exactly the kind of episode worth passing on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of The Vibe With Ky Podcast, I sit down with Rhiannon Neuharth to talk about nervous system regulation, MTHFR, and getting out of survival mode.If you have piled on supplements, planners, and apps and still feel stuck, tired, and foggy, this episode is exactly for you.Learn more from Rhiannon and grab her free MTHFR 101 guide, her ADHD Brain Food mini course, and her comprehensive testing info here:https://www.revitalizing-wellness.comThis episode is sponsored by Sucreabeille. Check them out here:https://sucreabeille.com/products/why-did-i-walk-into-this-roomRhiannon is a former biology and physiology teacher turned health coach who helps burnt-out women understand their bodies using their genes as a blueprint. We get into why your nervous system is the foundation for focus, mood, and energy, and why nothing else holds when your body is stuck in fight or flight.What you will take away from this one:Why your body cannot absorb supplements or stick to routines while it is running in survival modeHow the MTHFR gene and gut health quietly shape brain fog, focus, and fatigueA simple way to build a morning routine through habit stacking without the overwhelmSupport the show and find more resources:Website and blog: https://thevibewithky.comMental Health Resources Hub: https://thevibewithky.com/mental-health-resources-hub/Instagram: instagram.com/thevibewithkyPatreon Subscriber Hub: https://www.patreon.com/thevibewithkyFacebook Subscriber Hub: https://www.facebook.com/thevibewithky/subscribe/Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or financial advice. Ky is not a doctor or licensed therapist. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health, medication, or treatment plan. If you are in crisis, please reach out to a licensed professional or your local emergency services.
In Part 1 of this two-part interview, Dr Liz Evans sits down with diagnostic pathologist and HART co-chair Dr Clare Craig to shine a light onto the little-known, but potentially serious, risks to health from the UK's recent mandate requiring the fortification of white flour with the synthetic drug folic acid. A move that violates informed consent and restricts consumer choice.Dr Craig explains the background to the decision to mass-medicate the public, and breaks down the flawed rationale behind the new UK law, passed in November 2024, requiring non-wholemeal wheat flour to be fortified with synthetic folic acid. The amendment passed to the Bread and Flour Regulations (covering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), places a legal requirement on millers and flour producers to add folic acid to non-wholemeal wheat flour, which comes into full effect at the end of 2026.A few exceptions to fortification are allowed (for now) including; wholewheat flour, flour produced by small mills (in the UK or any other country), and flour produced to make communion wafers, matzos, gluten or starch.While natural folate is a fundamental, bioavailable nutrient found in whole foods, synthetic folic acid behaves entirely differently in the human body. Dr Craig explains how this synthetic product floods the bloodstream, blocks key brain receptors, and relies on safety data derived from animal studies that do not translate to human biology.Key Takeaways from Part 1:The “Survivorship” Data Flaw: Early safety data from a prominent Hungarian trial revealed a startling truth—nine babies died for every single neural tube defect (NTD) prevented.Statistical Illusions: Observational population data from the US CDC, claiming that increasing folic acid intake reduces NTDs, overlooked the huge concurrent rise in advanced ultrasound diagnostics and targeted terminations for babies with NTDs during the 1990s.Industrial Influence & Toxic Dosing: The pharmaceutical industry pushed for recommended daily allowances of folic acid to be artificially doubled, creating a environment where standard diets, combined with supplementation and fortification of foods, can expose citizens to massive, unmonitored doses of this synthetic drug.Fortification of Flour Violates Informed Consent: Adding a synthetic drug to a staple food is unethical as it is the mass-medication of the public without individual consent. It is a one-size-fits all approach which does not take into account the different genetic or nutritional variations in processing folic acid, or control of the dose, leaving some people more at risk of serious side-effects and toxicity. The individual dose of folic acid will vary widely, depending on the amount of fortified flour in the diet.Widespread Health Vulnerabilities: Fortifying staple foods poses serious risks to around 40% of the population who carry the MTHFR gene mutation, and who cannot metabolise folic acid efficiently. The build up of unmetabolized folic acid can also mask vitamin B12 deficiencies (which produces symptoms mimicking dementia) and has been show in studies to increase the risk of developing colorectal polyps and prostate cancer, as well as causing side-effects such as headaches, anxiety, sleep and digestive issues.Practical Advice: Learn how you can avoid unwanted medication by reading food labels carefully and sourcing unfortified flour from small independent mills.Calls to Action: It is important to raise awareness and lobby for a repeal to this law, by writing to your MP to raise the issues discussed in this podcast.Please sign this Parliamentary petition (ends on 26 June 2026) calling on the Government “to amend the law to ensure there are at least one non-wholemeal flour option without folic acid fortification, and to exempt organic flour from mandatory folic acid fortification requirement from December 2026.”UKMFA: CALL TO ACTION: Please follow us and subscribe on our YouTube and Rumble channels and please share our content on social media and with friends and family, to help us get the message out and increase our reach.All our podcasts can also be found on the major audio platforms e.g. Apple and Spotify.Our Substack is found here: https://substack.com/@ukmfa1We are grateful for all donations to help us to continue and grow our work; lobbying decision makers; educating and empowering the public; running campaigns and producing our podcasts. You can use this link to donate directly: https://donorbox.org/ukmfa_podcast. Please visit the UK Medical Freedom Alliance at www.ukmedfreedom.org and https://substack.com/@ukmfa1 to access all our material and resources.
Debi Bryk has spent over eight years using functional genomics in clinical practice — and what she found changed everything about how she works with clients. In this conversation, Debi walks through the MaxGen Labs WORX panel, breaks down methylation in plain English, explains why MTHFR is only one piece of a much larger puzzle, and reveals why jumping straight to methylated B vitamins without knowing your COMT status can leave you feeling dramatically worse. She also unpacks how genetic variants in toxic response to plastics, pesticides, and seed oils can explain why some people develop chronic illness in environments that don't seem to affect others — and what you can actually do about it. Debi also explores the emerging role of lithium orotate in ADHD and Alzheimer's prevention, why low choline may be driving the mood and cognitive crisis more people experience every day, and shares her clinical framework for sequencing testing that dramatically accelerated healing and reduced costs for her clients by eliminating the guesswork entirely. Use code BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN for a discount on MaxGen Labs testing at MaxGen Labs. Episode Highlights [00:00] Understanding Genetic Variants and Their Impact [09:40] The Power of Genetic Testing [19:21] Methylation and Its Role in Health [29:04] Epigenetics: Environment and Gene Expression [32:17] Understanding B12 Levels and Genetic Implications [33:31] Genetic Risks: Alzheimer's and Toxins [36:33] Precision Medicine and Personal Health [38:21] Neurotransmitter Dynamics and Mental Health [38:52] The Role of MAO and COMT in Neurotransmitter Regulation [43:33] The Impact of Supplements on Mental Health [47:07] Nutritional Insights: Choline and Creatine [48:32] The Importance of Comprehensive Testing [50:09] Future of Peptide Research and Safety Concerns [54:17] Closing Thoughts on Health and Wellness Upgrade Your Health MaxGen Labs: https://maxgenlabs.com/BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN Code: BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN LightPathLED: https://lightpathled.pxf.io/c/3438432/2059835/25794 Code: beautifullybroken Silver Biotics Wound Healing Gel: https://bit.ly/3JnxyDD 30% off with Code: BEAUTIFULLYBROKEN StemRegen: https://www.stemregen.co/products/stemregen?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=1&affid=52 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.
Serotonin does far more than regulate mood — 90% of it is made in your gut, not your brain. In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down exactly what serotonin does, why so many people are unknowingly depleted, and how to naturally restore levels through gut health, B vitamins, sunlight, and targeted supplementation. FEATURED PRODUCT Bliss by MSW Nutrition Serotonin production depends on methylation — and if your methylation pathways are sluggish, you can be doing everything right and still come up short. Bliss is a lemon-flavored sublingual powder featuring TMG (trimethylglycine), a powerful methyl donor that directly supports the methylation reactions your body needs to synthesize serotonin and dopamine. As discussed in this episode, the MTHFR gene, B vitamins, and SAMe are all essential cofactors in serotonin production — and Bliss is formulated to address exactly that gap. Just place it on your tongue and let it absorb in seconds. One serving a day is all it takes.
In this special replay, BS Free MD host Dr. May Hindmarsh steps out from behind the microphone and into the guest chair. Originally recorded for the Hotflash Inc. podcast with host Anne-Marie McQueen, this candid conversation explores Dr. May's personal journey through menopause, hormone therapy, histamine intolerance, epigenetics, and the unexpected challenges she faced when conventional solutions didn't provide the answers she was seeking. After more than 30 years practicing medicine, Dr. May found herself navigating a complex health journey that included severe hot flashes, migraines, sleep disruption, anxiety, panic attacks, elevated heart rate, and symptoms that persisted despite hormone replacement therapy. As both physician and patient, she began asking deeper questions about genetics, hormone metabolism, mast cell activation, and individualized care. Together, Anne-Marie and Dr. May discuss the importance of critical thinking in medicine, the dangers of one-size-fits-all approaches, and why listening to your own body may be one of the most important skills in healthcare. In This Episode Why Dr. May and Dr. Tim launched BS Free MD Lessons learned from practicing medicine through the COVID era What happened when hormone therapy stopped working as expected Histamine intolerance and mast cell activation explained The role of MTHFR, COMT, and epigenetics in hormone metabolism Why some women thrive on hormone therapy while others struggle Trauma, stress, and their impact on health outcomes The growing movement toward personalized medicine How to navigate conflicting health information Learning to trust your body's signals About Dr. May Hindmarsh Dr. May Hindmarsh is a retired family physician with more than three decades of experience practicing medicine in Canada and the United States. Alongside her husband, Dr. Tim Hindmarsh, she co-hosts BS Free MD, where they challenge conventional narratives, explore emerging health topics, and encourage listeners to think critically about medicine, wellness, and personal responsibility. Original Interview This episode originally aired on the Hotflash Inc. podcast and is being republished on BS Free MD with permission. Connect with BS Free MD Website: https://www.bsfreemd.com Podcast: https://www.bsfreemd.com/podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BSFreeMD Disclaimer The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs.
A weekly live show covering all things Freedom Tech with Max, Q and Seth.In this week's Freedom Tech Friday, Max welcomed back Zach Herbert, CEO of Foundation, for a deep dive into practical health sovereignty, starting at home. We moved beyond Bitcoin, seed phrases, and secure elements to the everyday systems thinking Zach has applied to his own biology. We tackled the big three of home optimisation; water, air, and light. Max and Zach explored how to choose and install reverse osmosis with remineralisation (and why it matters), whole‑home and countertop options for renters, UV sterilisation, shower filters, and the very real issues of PFAS, fluoride, and microplastics. On air, we explored CO₂ monitoring, ERV/HRV ventilation, humidification/dehumidification strategies, realistic budgets for owners and renters, and why indoor CO₂ quietly wrecks performance and sleep. When it came to light, they contrasted high‑CRI, no‑flicker LEDs with incandescents, circadian effects, dim‑to‑warm setups, and why harsh, blue‑heavy flicker can spike stress and fatigue, especially for kids.Max and Zach then dug into targeted personal health: why genetic insights should precede bloods, balancing privacy with utility, and how DNA variants (MTHFR, vitamin D conversion, dopamine response, drug metabolism) can explain lab results and guide smarter supplementation (methylated B vitamins, vitamin D) and protocols (sauna, blood donation trade‑offs). They also hit practicals on electrolyte quality and salt (ditch stevia/citric acid, choose clean salts), everyday toxin minimisation (tallow skincare, hydroxyapatite toothpaste, cleaner hair care), and a level‑headed take on parasites and ivermectin.The theme throughout: use tech to restore a more natural environment and reclaim health autonomy without going “100‑step protocol” make quick wins for renters and owners alike that compound over years for you and your family.[[BILLLKEONNE]]TO DONATE TO ROMAN'S DEFENSE FUND: https://freeromanstorm.com/donateVALUE FOR VALUEThanks for listening you Ungovernable Misfits, we appreciate your continued support and hope you enjoy the shows.You can support this episode using your time, talent or treasure.TIME:- create fountain clips for the show- create a meetup- help boost the signal on social mediaTALENT:- create ungovernable misfit inspired art, animation or music- design or implement some software that can make the podcast better- use whatever talents you have to make a contribution to the show!TREASURE:- BOOST IT OR STREAM SATS on the Podcasting 2.0 apps @ https://podcastapps.com- DONATE via Monero @ https://xmrchat.com/ugmf- BUY SOME STICKERS @ https://www.ungovernablemisfits.com/shop/FOUNDATIONhttps://foundation.xyz/ungovernableFoundation builds Bitcoin-centric tools that empower you to reclaim your digital sovereignty.As a sovereign computing company, Foundation is the antithesis of today's tech conglomerates. Returning to cypherpunk principles, they build open source technology that “can't be evil”.Thank you Foundation Devices for sponsoring the show!Use code: Ungovernable for $10 off of your purchaseCAKE WALLEThttps://cakewallet.comCake Wallet is an open-source, non-custodial wallet available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux.Features:- Built-in Exchange: Swap easily between Bitcoin and Monero.- User-Friendly: Simple interface for all users.Monero Users:- Batch Transactions: Send multiple payments at once.- Faster Syncing: Optimized syncing via specified restore heights- Proxy Support: Enhance privacy with proxy node options.Bitcoin Users:- Coin Control: Manage your transactions effectively.- Silent Payments: Static bitcoin addresses- Batch Transactions: Streamline your payment process.Thank you Cake Wallet for sponsoring the show!MYNYMBOXhttps://mynymbox.ioYour go-to for anonymous server hosting solutions, featuring: virtual private & dedicated servers, domain registration and DNS parking. We don't require any of your personal information, and you can purchase using Bitcoin, Lightning, Monero and many other cryptos.Explore benefits such as No KYC, complete privacy & security, and human support.
I'm delighted to connect with Dr. Eboni Cornish today. She is the Associate Medical Director of Amen Clinics and President of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, specializing in complex chronic illness with expertise in brain health, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, mold exposure, gut dysfunction, and women's midlife health. In our conversation, we explore how perimenopause and menopause affect the brain, as well as the roles of genetics and epigenetics. Dr. Cornish explains limbic lock, SPECT imaging, the impact of tick-borne illnesses, and co-infections, and how brain health issues can influence mental health. We also dive into the role of mold in testing, the gut-brain-immune-hormone axis, vagal tone, the estrobolome, leptin, the MTHFR mutation, and how Dr. Cornish prefers to have it tested and treated in her patients. Stay tuned for an insightful and wide-ranging conversation on brain health and women's midlife wellness. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why women may experience brain fog, forgetfulness, and cognitive slowing as estrogen declines How declining estrogen could make the brain more vulnerable to toxins, infections, and leaky brain How disrupted sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of oxygen (from issues like sleep apnea) can negatively affect cognition and brain health The value of continuing to learn and staying socially connected to support your cognitive health as you age How genetics can help to identify women who may be at higher risk for cognitive decline later in life. What limbic lock means How toxin overload, mold, Lyme disease, and co-infections, and unresolved stress can create a state of limbic lock How SPECT imaging helps to explain why some people fail to improve despite multiple treatments The benefits of progesterone for supporting relaxation and improving sleep during perimenopause How declining estrogen and gut dysbiosis during perimenopause can affect the gut-brain axis Bio: Dr. Eboni Cornish Dr. Eboni Cornish is the Associate Medical Director of Amen Clinics and President of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. She specializes in complex chronic illness, with expertise in brain health, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, mold toxicity, gut dysfunction, and women's midlife health. Known for her NeuroLongevity framework, Dr. Cornish takes a root-cause, brain-first approach to helping patients optimize cognitive resilience, hormone balance, and long-term wellness. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. Purchase Cynthia's book, The Menopause Gut. Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book. The Midlife Pause Supplement Line Connect with Dr. Eboni Cornish Amen Clinics On her website Instagram
Hi, I'm Dr. Dan Purser. For too long, autism has been treated as a mystery with only symptom management. In this episode, I break down what I've seen consistently in practice: the real root cause behind many cases on the spectrum.It starts with genetic variants (especially MTHFR and related SNPs) that break the transsulfuration pathway. When kids can't efficiently convert homocysteine into glutathione, they lose their ability to detox heavy metals and environmental toxins. The result is chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and developmental challenges.The good news? Once we identify these biochemical and genetic imbalances through proper testing, we can intervene at the root with targeted support — restoring methylation, rebuilding glutathione function, and giving the body what it needs to heal.This isn't theory. It's the Purser Method® in action.If you're a parent searching for real answers instead of just labels, this episode is for you. The root cause has been solved. Now let's talk solutions.Reach to my office to get started: 801-796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com
Could hidden methylation issues be quietly affecting your egg quality, hormones, and ability to stay pregnant?In this quick but powerful episode, Dr. Katie Wood breaks down methylation in a simple, easy-to-understand way and explains why this foundational biochemical process is critical for fertility, hormone balance, DNA repair, and early embryo development.In this episode, you'll learn...-What methylation actually is and why it directly impacts fertility and egg quality-The best food and supplement sources of methyl donors, including methylfolate, B12, choline, and betaine-How to recognize whether methylation issues or MTHFR variants may be part of your fertility picturePress play now to learn how targeted nutrition and methylation support can help create a healthier foundation for pregnancy and improve your fertility naturally.
The Hidden Causes of Brain Fog, Anxiety, and Chronic Illness: Mold, Parasites, Histamine, and Low Cortisol If you're exhausted, inflamed, and can't figure out why, the answer might be hiding in your histamine, your hormones, your home, or something living inside you that your doctor will never test for. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dr. Jessica Peatross, a former hospitalist turned functional medicine powerhouse who walked away from a conventional medical career after discovering that 90% of disease traces back to lifestyle, environment, and the toxins most doctors ignore. After graduating magna cum laude and earning her medical degree from the University of Louisville, Dr. Jess pursued training in functional medicine, nutrigenomics, and alternative therapies, and now helps thousands of patients reverse chronic illness through her KillBindSweat method and WellnessPlus app. She is also the formulator and CMO of Aegis Formulas and a leading voice at international health conferences. If chronic illness, mold toxicity, or hormonal chaos is on your radar, she is the person you want in your corner. Together, Dave and Dr. Jess go deep into the hidden drivers of mystery symptoms that functional medicine is finally starting to crack open. They cover why low cortisol is more dangerous than high cortisol, how histamine and mast cell activation syndrome explain everything from anxiety and brain fog to endometriosis and POTS, and why most "Lyme disease" is actually undiagnosed mold toxicity. They also break down the parasite epidemic hiding in plain sight across the United States, the B vitamin mistake making millions of people sicker, and why your metabolism, mitochondria, and mental health are all downstream of things your standard lab panel will never catch. This episode also gets into the real story behind Dr. Jess surrendering her California medical license rather than comply with a system she believed was working against patient health. Her firsthand account of the medical board process is something every person who cares about medical freedom needs to hear. You'll Learn: Why everyone who is chronically sick has a low cortisol awakening response and what to do about it How histamine drives anxiety, racing thoughts, palpitations, bloating, skin issues, and hormonal chaos Why 90% of people diagnosed with Lyme disease actually have toxic mold and how to test for both The parasite epidemic in the U.S. and why standard testing misses most of it How the spike protein reactivates dormant viruses and feeds the histamine loop behind long COVID Why synthetic B6 causes the very neuropathy it is supposed to fix, and what to take instead The cortisol, adrenaline, and blood pressure connection that explains "wired but tired" How progesterone stabilizes mast cells and why estrogen dominance fuels inflammation and reactivity Why Dave Asprey uses low-dose cortisol, dexamethasone, and modafinil as part of his daily performance stack The mold binders that actually work, and which popular ones can harm hypermobile people How nicotine at low doses blocks spike protein from ACE2 receptors and protects the brain What the MTHFR gene, methylation, and folic acid have to do with breast cancer, depression, and estrogen detox Thank you to our sponsors! - iRestore | Reverse hair loss at www.irestore.com/DAVE and get exclusive savings on the iRestore Elite, use code DAVE - KILLSwitch | If you're ready for the best sleep of your life, order now at https://www.switchsupplements.com/and use code DAVE for 20% off - Calroy | Go to Calroy.com/DAVE for exclusive discounts on Arterosil HP, Vascanox HP and all Calroy products. - Cowboy Colostrum | Get your gut right by going to cowboycolostrum.com/asprey for 25% off of your entire order. -Amp | If you're ready to make fitness fit into your life, go to amp.ai to check it outDave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: Dr. Jessica Peatross, functional medicine, mast cell activation syndrome, histamine intolerance, long COVID brain fog, mold toxicity, chronic Lyme disease, parasite testing, low cortisol, cortisol awakening response, MTHFR methylation, B6 toxicity, P5P, folinic acid, estrogen dominance, progesterone therapy, spike protein reactivation, Epstein-Barr reactivation, POTS, wired but tired, Kill Bind Sweat, WellnessPlus, vaccine exemptions, mold binders, nicotine ACE2, adrenal insufficiency, RCCX gene Resources: • Go to https://drjessmd.com/ and use code ‘DRJESS' at checkout • Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 00:00 – Trailer 00:33 – Releasing Medical License 03:21 – Chronic Illness Root Causes 05:00 – Hospital Nutrition 08:11 – Dave's Health History 10:22 – Parasites 20:02 – Nicotine 23:19 – Low Blood Pressure & Minerals 28:09 – B Vitamins & Methylation 33:45 – Autism & Genetics 40:13 – Toxic Mold 43:11 – ADHD Misdiagnosis 48:27 – Histamine & Mast Cells 50:56 – Long COVID & Spike Protein 58:56 – Cortisol 1:03:56 – Lyme Disease 1:09:58 – Mold Testing & Binders 1:16:37 – Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes. Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations. If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below. Listen to the full episode on iTunes Joanne Kennedy is a highly experienced Naturopath and specialist in MTHFR, Methylation and Histamine Intolerance. Joanne runs a successful clinical practice in Sydney, Australia and also caters to patients worldwide through online consultations. Could your migraines or skin issues be tied to histamine levels? What are the hidden factors contributing to your symptoms, and how can you take control? With practical strategies and real-life examples, Joanne shares insights that promise to transform your understanding of your health. In this episode, we uncover: How histamine intolerance is linked to hormone imbalances like estrogen dominance. Why digestive health plays a critical role in managing histamine levels. How certain foods and environmental factors trigger histamine reactions. The surprising connection between histamine and neurological symptoms like migraines. Why perimenopause can be a turbulent time for women with histamine issues. Tune in to this episode to empower yourself with the knowledge you need to tackle histamine intolerance. Joanne Kennedy's insights could be the key to unlocking a healthier, more balanced life. Don't miss out! Visit Joanne's website here Sponsors Try the power of copper peptides on your skin today and get 20% off your order with coupon code km20 here. Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication. Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are. Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more! Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you). Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women. Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife. Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram
Welcome to How Humans Heal. In this episode, I'm going to help you understand the critical difference between folic acid and methylfolate, and whether you should be taking either one if you're testing positive for high-risk HPV virus and potentially abnormal cells. Folic acid and methylfolate are both forms of vitamin B9. Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, while methylfolate is the active form. Foic acid is commonly used in processed foods and many lower-quality supplements like multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, and B-complexes. Once you swallow folic acid, your body has to convert it into methylfolate, which is the form your cells can actually use. However, at least forty percent of us have at least one gene variation called MTHFR, which affects our ability to convert folic acid into folate. If you're one of those people with one or more MTHFR variations, you might not be able to convert folic acid as effectively. This means you won't get all the benefits from it. I've been in practice for over twenty-six years, and I specialize in HPV, abnormal pap smears, women's health, MTHFR, gene variations, and methylation issues. These are my specialties, and this is why I'm so passionate about helping people understand this topic. I'm here to help you! LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Try Multi: https://doctordoni.com/product/all-in-one-multi/ Try Methylfolate: https://doctordoni.com/product/methyl-folate-support/ Sign up for Dr. Doni's 5-Day HPV Workshop: https://doctordoni.com/HPV-workshop/ Schedule A Chat With Dr. Doni: https://intakeq.com/new/hhsnib/vuaovx Read the full episode notes and find more information: https://doctordoni.com/blog/podcasts/ MORE RESOURCES FROM DR. DONI: Quick links to social media, free guides and programs, and more: https://doctordoni.com/links Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are product links and affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no cost to you. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Your mood struggles might not be a mindset problem — they might be a methylation problem. In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down the TMG supplement (trimethylglycine), how it drives serotonin and dopamine production, and why pairing it with SAMe in BLISS delivers clean energy and mood support — no caffeine, no stimulants, results in minutes. Featured Partner: MSW Nutrition — BLISS BLISS by MSW Nutrition combines two of the most underutilized mood-support compounds in functional medicine — trimethylglycine (TMG) and SAMe — in a fast-absorbing sublingual powder. Together, they fuel the methylation pathways your body needs to produce serotonin, dopamine, and sustainable energy — exactly the mechanisms Nurse Doza unpacks in this episode. No caffeine. No fillers. No stimulants. Just the two ingredients your brain chemistry has been waiting for.
In this Ask Me Anything episode, Dr. Will Cole and his team answer listener questions on canker sores (and when they're a sign of something more), MCAS and mold toxicity in a school classroom, autoimmune thrombocytopenia in a 23-year-old naturopathic medical student with Hashimoto's and PCOS, and whether cast iron skillet seasoning is actually a health concern. They also cover the EMF-mold connection most people haven't heard of, blood-building foods and peptides for autoimmune platelet issues, and the right oils to season with based on smoking point. Plus: the team's Sip of the Summer picks and Dr. Cole's mason jar mocktail recipe. For all links mentioned in this episode, visit www.drwillcole.com/podcast.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Sponsors:Find out more at apple.com/health. This message was brought to you by Apple and AT&T. Apple Watch is not a medical device and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Head to MANUKORA.com/WILLCOLE to save up to 31% plus $25 worth of free gift swith the Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook.Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/willcole for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Text ABW to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.To learn more and get 20% off your order, visit ActiveSkinRepair.com and use code: WILLCOLE . You can also find Active Skin Repair on Amazon and at your local CVS.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dopamine controls your motivation, focus, mood, and reward system — and most people are running low without realizing it. In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down what dopamine actually does in the body, why deficiency is far more common than most people think, how your gut produces 50% of it, and the natural steps you can take to restore healthy levels. FEATURED PRODUCT: BLISS Bliss by MSW Nutrition is a lemon-flavored sublingual powder built around SAMe and TMG — two powerful methyl donors that directly support your body's natural dopamine and serotonin production through the methylation pathway. If you're feeling flat, foggy, or low-mood, methylation may be the missing link. One powder stick dissolved on your tongue — no water needed — and you may feel the difference within seconds to minutes. Bliss also supports glutathione production, liver health, and MTHFR function, making it one of the most targeted neurotransmitter support supplements available.
This episode of the Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable. podcast takes a hard look at one of the biggest trends in the wellness world: detox culture. Susan Robbins shares a raw and deeply honest perspective on the fear-based messaging surrounding parasites, mold, heavy metals, cleanses, and “toxic overload,” while explaining what true detoxification actually looks like inside the body. From harsh protocols and supplement overload to the nervous system's role in health, this conversation challenges the idea that more detoxing always equals better wellness.Susan also dives into the genetics behind detox pathways, including MTHFR, COMT, PEMT, GST genes, inflammation markers, bile flow, and histamine responses. She explains why personalized health matters, why one-size-fits-all detox programs can backfire, and how stress, sleep, nutrition, circadian rhythm, and emotional safety often play a much bigger role in how the body functions than another cleanse ever will. This episode is a reminder that the body already knows how to detox when it has the right support, nourishment, and stability.In this episode:Why the detox industry often profits from fearThe difference between true toxic overload and depletionHow the body naturally detoxifies through the liver, kidneys, gut, skin, and lymphatic systemWhy harsh cleanses can create more stress on the bodyThe truth about parasite cleanses, binders, colonics, and juice detoxesHow chronic stress impacts detox pathways and hormone balanceWhy genetics like MTHFR, COMT, GST, PEMT, IL6, and TNF-alpha matter in personalized healthThe connection between histamine, sulfur pathways, glutathione, and detox symptomsHow nervous system regulation impacts healing and detoxificationWhy lifestyle rhythms, sleep, meal timing, and stress management matter more than most people realizeHow Susan uses epigenetics and PH360 health types to personalize detox supportThe importance of building resilience instead of living in fear around healthRESOURCES:Find all of Susan's Resources and links in the show notes: Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)https://healthyawakening.co/2026/05/18/episode124/Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcastFind listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/linksP.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
What if a single gene is quietly affecting your mood, energy, sleep, and focus — and most doctors never test for it? In this episode of the Longevity Series, Nurse Doza breaks down MTHFR gene support: what methylation is, why this gene matters, and how BLISS by MSW Nutrition delivers targeted sublingual support — sometimes with noticeable results the same day. BLISS by MSW Nutrition is a sublingual powder formulated with two active ingredients specifically designed to support the MTHFR gene and the methylation cycle. For people with MTHFR variants — who may struggle with mood regulation, low energy, brain fog, and disrupted sleep — BLISS bypasses the digestive process entirely, delivering its active compounds directly into the bloodstream under the tongue for fast, efficient absorption. Nurse Doza and co-founder Baldo both have confirmed MTHFR issues and take BLISS daily — this is a supplement built from personal need, not theory. One box contains 30 packets, making it a full 30-day protocol.
Brett records an episode without Christina and Jeff and chats with Melissa Davis (The Mac Mommy) about her start as a mommy blogger and longtime Mac podcaster, her tech-support work, and the strange lack of closure when online friends disappear. They trade mental-health and chronic-illness updates, Adderall vs. Vyvanse, difficulty finding curious doctors, and being labeled “worried well.” Don’t worry, they nerd out on mechanical keyboards, Karabiner, and remapping keys. GrAPPtitudes include Bartender 6 Pro, Sortio for AI tagging, Sketch Party TV, and Karabiner. Sponsor OneSkin improves your skincare routine with science-backed skin care products. With over 10,000 five-star reviews and validation from clinical studies, OneSkin has made a name for itself in the skincare industry. If you’re interested in trying OneSkin for yourself, you can get 15% off your order with the code OVERTIRED at oneskin.co/OVERTIRED. Chapters 00:00 Meet Melissa Davis 00:56 Early Podcast Days 02:20 Tech Support Seniors 05:52 Digital Legacy Work 06:50 Sponsor: OneSkin 08:14 Mental Health Check In 08:34 Insomnia And Focus 13:19 Doing Time Tracker 16:04 Suspenders And Stenosis 20:18 Mobility And Home Hacks 22:10 Melissa Health Update 23:25 ADHD Meds And Mutations 25:25 Curious Doctors Matter 27:59 Vyvanse Vs Adderall 30:26 Tracking Mood With Data 32:27 Cane And Somatic Therapy 36:09 Somatics For EDS 36:50 Yoga Modifications 38:19 Polycystic Liver Shock 39:20 Fatphobia In Healthcare 40:56 Pole Dancing Reality Check 41:55 Mechanical Keyboard ASMR 45:56 Nail Art And Picking 49:09 Keyboard Layout Rabbit Hole 01:00:59 Shortcuts And Muscle Memory 01:03:12 GrAPPtitude App Picks 01:14:07 Karabiner Power Tips 01:17:30 Wrap Up And Thanks Show Links hEDS Doing Timing Royal Kludge Keyboard Gamakey Silent Linear Switches EPOMAKER Switch Benefit Section EPOMAKER AegisSil Keycaps Set SketchParty TV Karabiner Sortio Bartender Pro Day One Join the Conversation Merch Come chat on Discord! Twitter/ovrtrd Instagram/ovrtrd Youtube Get the Newsletter Thanks! You’re downloading today’s show from CacheFly’s network BackBeat Media Podcast Network Check out more episodes at overtiredpod.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Find Brett as @ttscoff, Christina as @film_girl, Jeff as @jsguntzel, and follow Overtired at @ovrtrd on Twitter. Transcript Nails and Keys with Melissa Davis (The Mac Mommy) [00:00:00] Meet Melissa Davis Brett: Hey, this is Brett Terpstra. I am without my usual cohorts, Christina and Jeff. Um, so I, I wanted to, you know, get a, get an episode out for all of you listeners, and I reached out to Melissa Davis, known as The Mac Mommy. Um, I don’t, I, I don’t know if they’re still known as The Mac Mommy, but in m- in my lifetime they have been. Um, Melissa, why don’t you introduce yourself, let people know, like, M-Ma- long time, like Mac personality, podcaster. Tell us where you came from. Melissa: Where did I come from? Outer space. Uh, I came from being a mom. I, I, I will admit, this is hard to admit, But I will admit I started out as a mommy blogger. That’s, like, kind of a bad word nowadays. Brett: back, back, yeah, this is way Back when Melissa: [00:01:00] Yeah. Early Podcast Days Melissa: so we’re talking, like… Well, my oldest is gonna be 20, Brett. My oldest is gonna be 20 this summer. End of, end of June he’ll be 20 years old. So that’s about how long I’ve been doing podcasting. I mean, I started, I started, like, when… Well, you know what? I started listening to Adam Christianson’s The MacCast Brett: But you know what? I started Sure. Like one of the very first podcasts, Yeah. Melissa: still, I still listen to him on the Mac Geek Gab. Like, his voice is just so soothing to me. I used to… Like, that was the f- Back when I had, I had, I remember I had, like, an old G4, uh, Quicksilver Mac, and in the stinky little back room of our old house. And I used to, I used to download the podcasts, burn them on a CD, put them in my Walkman, ’cause I didn’t have an iPod yet at the time. I wasn’t that… I was never really that cutting edge. And I’d burn them on a CD, I’d put the CD in my Walkman, and then I would sit and nurse, I would nurse my baby. I, [00:02:00] and I would have to tuck the, uh, the headphones, you know, I’d have the ear- the, the wired, kinda like I have now, uh, and tuck it behind my back, like, behind my shoulder, because otherwise he’d, like, yank on the cord. And I would just listen to podcasts while I nursed. And I… And then, uh, then I met Victor Cajiao, and I started just kind of being, like, a serial podcaster, showing up here and there, and then it just kinda grew from there. Tech Support Seniors Melissa: Um, and I do… So I do tech support. I’m an IT tech s- tech support person. I… People call me their computer guru. I mostly work with, uh, the senior population, our, our vintage people, which I, I’m slowly becoming one of them. We’re all, we’re all gonna go that way. Brett: I feel like anyone who does Mac tech support deals with probably an, a, a population that skews older. Melissa: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, it’s actually, it’s actually more– I will say it’s actually more difficult to work with somebody younger. Like, especially people my age or people [00:03:00] that are like, say, in their sixties I consider pretty young, 70 even. Uh, yeah, so but it’s, you know, the people are so, so interesting. You can learn so much. I love working with this population because they’re like encyclopedias, and the stories they tell you and the things you learn, it’s pretty amazing. And I could just, I could just spend– I have actually spent all day with some of them. Some of us just have really great chemistry and, you know, it’s… They– I, I’m also– I have ADHD, that’s no secret. And I think when you get older, um, not– it doesn’t affect everybody, but I do see a lot of what could be either they, they have ADHD or it’s like a– Brett: they have Melissa: of creeps in and it’s just a natural process of aging, cognitive decline. So, yep. Brett: have a lot of patience. Sure. S- some of my, some of my most interesting relationships over the last 10 years have been with, uh, Mac users in their late 70s, [00:04:00] 80s. And, uh, like they’ve been– They’re very– Like, they’re definitely… The people that I’ve known have been technically capable and very interested in learning. That’s why they follow me. That’s how I meet them, right? They’re like, they read my blog, which is just all nerd stuff. And, and so they’re, they’re technically competent, and they’re doing things that I can only aspire to be doing in my 70s and 80s. Um, I had a guy who was writing his memoirs at, in between like mountain bike rides. And so here’s the thing, though, is when you, when you know someone online and they’re in their 80s and you stop hearing from them for a Melissa: Yes. Yes. Brett: you have to assume that they have passed on. and that is sad, and you never really get any closure because you don’t know their friends or family. You [00:05:00] never get like a notice, an obituary. You don’t, you don’t know where these people go, um, and you don’t know how to check in on them once your normal channels of communication are severed. Melissa: Yeah, we’re at that age where we probably start reading the obituaries. Like, I haven’t heard from so-and-so in a while. Let me check the obits." Brett: I had, I had– Before NVUltra went on for, what’s it, like five years now, uh, without a release, um, I had a project called BitWriter with David Halter. And Melissa: remember you mentioning that, yeah. Yeah, and you wondered. Mm-hmm. Brett: he stopped responding. Melissa: you find out any at all? Any, Any, concrete… Brett: Nothing. I have put feelers out everywhere I can think of. I have no idea what happened to him. Melissa: went Richard Simmons, huh? Brett: yeah. Yeah. With less Melissa: No contact. No contact. Aw. Digital Legacy Work Melissa: I, I’m lucky that, uh, in my line of [00:06:00] work, I do typically hear from the family if they’ve passed on, because I form kind of a bond with a lot of people. I, I typically don’t lose clients unless they die, so… Brett: and you have some, like, in real life connections to Melissa: Oh, yeah. Yeah, I do, I do both. I do… I have some clients where I’ve never met them in person, I’ve only ever done remote. Uh, and then, but most of my clients are, are local, the majority of them. But I, I still s- see them remotely too, so yeah. I’ve, I’ve actually been hired by some people, um, mostly I’ve had two male clients who they got a terminal illness, they knew they were terminal, and they followed me online and they pretty much hired me to take care of their surviving spouse. So that, that was… that’s a difficult thing, but I’m just honored that they chose me to, to help them out with that. So I’ve kind of been a bit of a digital undertaker in that regard. Sponsor: OneSkin Christina: I want to take a moment to share something that has significantly improved my skincare routine, OneSkin. [00:07:00] So we all have those days when our skin doesn’t feel its best, and I’ve certainly been in that boat, especially recovering from surgery. And I was tired of navigating through endless products that promised results, but often fell short. And that’s when I discovered OneSkin. It was founded by scientists dedicated to longevity, and this brand stands out for its commitment to real science over marketing hype. 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Thank you for supporting our show by checking them out Mental Health Check In Brett: Um, so do you wanna do a mental health Melissa: Sure. Brett: I, I know, I know you’ve listened to the show before. I know you know how this works. Melissa: how this works. Brett: Would you like to start? Melissa: I think I would like to hear you start, and then I’ll, I’ll add on Brett: that sounds good. Insomnia And Focus Brett: Um, so sleep continues to be a major issue for me. Um, I actually for four days in a row last week, I got eight hours of sleep a night, which was insane. I felt so good. Um- The first night… So I take [00:09:00] Lamictal for bipolar, and if I miss my evening dose, I crash and I sleep in the next morning, and I sleep soundly. Like, it’s the best sleep I can get. And then I wake up and all of a sudden the withdrawal kicks in, and then I’m shaky and dizzy for half an hour after I take the dose. Um, but that’s after, like, a solid night of sleep, and it never works two nights in a row. And, like, I’ve tried, like, maybe if I take Lamictal in the mornings instead of the evenings, maybe I’ll sleep through the night. It doesn’t work after that first missed dose. Um, but then I just, without making any changes in my lifestyle, started sleeping, and I thought finally after, like, two years of insomnia, I had turned a corner, because I can’t remember the last time I got eight hours of sleep for more than two nights in a [00:10:00] row. And then it ended, and then I was up. I’ve been up since 2:30 today. Melissa: I wondered, yep. Brett: I mean, I went to bed at 8:00, so that’s still nine, 10, 11, 12, 11, Melissa: I actually dozed off on the couch around 8:30. Like, if only I could just be in my bed right now, just be, like, transported. Yeah. Oh. Brett: Oh, I, I wish. If I could go back to bed… Like, sometimes I’ll, I’ll lay back down around 7:00 or 8:00 and get, like, another half hour of sleep, but it’s really that, like, uninterrupted block of deep sleep that I need, not… I take naps during the day, and I can usually fall asleep for half an hour, um, given that I’m usually functioning on five hours of sleep anyway. But anyway, um, I– That, that’s just kind of par for the course for me, so, like, any, any of our listeners know that that’s gonna be the first thing I report. Melissa: are you, [00:11:00] like, kinda competing? Like, are you trying to get eight hours because that’s what’s prescribed? Have you ever thought about Brett: be- actually, what works eight and a half, like I’ve, I’ve… Back when I had the option to sleep more than five hours, like, I did a lot of kind of experimentation and Melissa: know where your sweet spot is. Brett: Well, it… See, the sweet pot- spot changes as you age, though, and you need less sleep as you get older. So, so I can’t say for sure that eight and a half hours is still my sweet spot. Um, and I think honestly, if I can sleep seven hours, I feel pretty good, and I consider seven hours a good night’s sleep. Melissa: Yeah, ’cause mine’s like between four and six. Brett: really? Yeah. See, Melissa: feel Brett: I don’t function well. Oh, I don’t function well on anything less than seven hours. Melissa: I just have a love-hate relationship with sleep. I just don’t– I just hate to sleep. I just would rather be doing other things. Life is [00:12:00] just too interesting. Brett: I get that. I– get that. I– as someone who’s bipolar and has had like manic episodes where I’m up for five days straight, like I, I love not sleeping. Um, w- when, when I have the mania to give me energy and back it up. It’s when I’m just dragging all day and feel like a zombie. The thing– The, the plus side to it is the more tired I am, up to a certain point, the better I can focus. Like my brain slows down and it’s really easy for me to get into hyperfocus. And like most mornings I’m up at, you know, 2:30, 3:00 and I just start coding. And I can not only hyperfocus, but I can switch focus between three or four different projects like simultaneously. I hit compile on one, I move on to the next one, and I can rotate [00:13:00] through them and like keep track of all of it. And then right around 10:00 AM, my ability to do that ends and suddenly I like flip to a project and I cannot for the life of me remember what I was doing, which is why I’ve spent my life building note-taking apps and, and time tracking tools. Melissa: Yep, same thing. Doing Time Tracker Brett: dude, h- d- I don’t… You might not be familiar with my project Doing. Melissa: N-no, but I– you alluded to something. that’s not what you’re working on with Dan though, is it? Brett: No, no, that’s gonna be Melissa: Dan on that too. I, I, don’t know what it is yet, but yeah, I’m, I’m Brett: Oh, it’s… Yeah, it’s gonna be cool. Melissa: that’s so exciting. Brett: no, Doing is a command line tool where you can type things like, “Doing now podcasting with Melissa,” and it starts a timer for like what I’m doing now, and then I can ask it if I leave and come back, I can say, “What was I doing?” And it’ll tell me, [00:14:00] “You’re podcasting with Melissa.” Obviously, that’s a weird example ’cause I’m not gonna leave in the middle of this. But then it can give you like totals, time, tag-based time totals, uh, for your week and everything. It can show you like what you finished yesterday. Um, it’s not so much a task tracking app as it is a tool for keeping track of what you’re doing in the moment. Um, for, for people like me who switch between four projects at once, it’s really handy. And some guy, some fucking guy Melissa: Some fucking guy. Brett: it, rewrote it in Rust, and it is really good. it is really good. Uh, he like, I- Oh yeah, I use Melissa: Okay, ’cause Brett: This is, this is separate. this is this is a little more ‘ intentional than Timing. Um, I use both. They kind of work together, and Doing can actually import Timing’s JSON exports. So you can turn your, you can turn [00:15:00] all your Timing data into command line, uh, readable Doing files. Um, but anyway, this guy rewrote it in Rust with my permission, and he gave me full credit on the page. And I think I’m switching ’cause Doing is written in Ruby, and Ruby is slow, and Rust is fast. And like my Doing file where it stores all of my current projects, like my Doing items, gets so big that it can take Doing like up to five seconds to respond when I ask it, “What was I doing today?” Which is five seconds is a long time on the command line. Um, and his Melissa: pretty instantaneous. Brett: his version is like 100 milliseconds. Boom. But anyway, Melissa: It’s almost like you built your own little AI thing. Like, what was I doing? What Brett: kinda, kinda, yeah. Melissa: you doing, Dave? Brett: This is, this [00:16:00] was built long before AI was a common thing, but the other thing that’s contributing to my mental health Suspenders And Stenosis Brett: is suspenders. Melissa: Ah, yes. Brett: So I have I have gained 100 pounds, um, not, n-not of my own choice, but like I had rapid weight gain and I recently got a stenosis diagnosis, which I hate the Melissa: telling you, I’m telling you, we’re like 23 and me here. I’ve got that too. Brett: apparently during one of my, like when I gained 50 pounds in like six weeks, my body was looking for places to store all the new fat and decided my spine might be a good place for that. Um, so I have fat in my spine and I have degrading discs. This is separate from my love of suspenders, so I’ll get back to [00:17:00] that. I, um, Melissa: Wait till you get it in your eyeballs. Brett: Oh, for real? Melissa: Yeah, you can have… I have, um, what’s it called? Cholesterol. Yeah, if you look at your eyes really close, if you see like a white kind of w- ridge around your irises, that’s cholesterol. Brett: Oh, wow. Yeah, I hope, I hope that hasn’t happened yet, but who knows? Um, Melissa: Brings out Brett: I– So I have all this, I have all this extra weight and I had a lot of trouble with belts. A, belts hurt ’cause they dig into my, my gut, and they don’t really work. I, every, every time I stood up, my butt crack showed and I had to like wiggle my pants up. And then I I tried a pair of suspenders and it was like a l- a switch had been flipped. All of a sudden my pants just stayed up without any constriction around my waist, just like they just stayed with me wherever I went. And now I can, [00:18:00] I can tuck my shirts in and it actually looks kinda cool when you got the suspenders look going on. Which means, so like for a long time I only wore one brand of shirt, um, and because they, it was, it fit my belly and it was long enough and like it wasn’t, wasn’t baggy around the top and didn’t hang off my belly like a muumuu. Melissa: Mm-hmm, Brett: And like, so I, I, I only wore this brand of shirt and I own like 15 of them, and I would just cycle through Melissa: dresses, they’re just your Walmart $10 cotton tank dress. Love it. Brett: Yeah. But now that I can tuck my shirts in and feel okay about it, I can buy those extra large nerd shirts, ones with funny slogans and stuff on them. And normally those would hang straight down off my belly, and I hate the way that looks. But now I can tuck those in, which means I can get back to wearing funny, [00:19:00] ironic T-shirts, and it, it’s like opening up a whole new world of possibilities Melissa: That is a bonus for mental health. Brett: every day now I put on my suspenders and it makes me happy. Um, Melissa: wonderful. It’s almost like a, like a mobility aid. Brett: Kinda, yeah. Melissa: yeah. Brett: of, I– So I, I have a monopod, um, like a tripod that folds up into a walking stick, and it’s nice and light and it is an adjustable height ’cause it’s designed to be used as a camera tripod. Um, and I’ve started walking with it Melissa: yeah. kinda like you’re Brett: I c- yeah. Yeah. Like one of my fat friends has s- literal like ski poles. They’re like half height ski poles and they walk with them and it helps them a ton, and I Melissa: Yeah, hikers use those. Brett: try that out. But a walking stick [00:20:00] really does help with my stenosis, but I can still, even with a stick, I can only walk for about five minutes, which is about .3, Melissa: Yeah. Brett: 3, .3 miles. Um, and then I have to stop and sit, and it’s been a real pain, literally. Mobility And Home Hacks Melissa: And is standing difficult, too? Brett: standing is worse than walking. Melissa: thing, yeah. Standing’s worse. Brett: Yeah. Like if I am in the kitchen and I’m at the stove cooking, before the onions start to brown, I have to sit Melissa: Yeah. Yep. Brett: Uh, so we now have a stool in our kitchen, Melissa: Do you have one in the shower? Brett: yes. Well, our shower, our shower has a nice, like the back of the tub is a seat. Melissa: Oh, okay. Yeah. Brett: I don’t know if this house was designed by old people or not, but, um, but it’s certainly everything is relatively [00:21:00] accessible in that way. Um, but the stool in the kitchen means I can cook dinner. Emptying the dishwasher is the worst for me. That just like bending over, picking stuff up, and then just moving back and forth, like the five feet across our kitchen. My– I, it takes me three stops, three rests to get a dishwasher emptied. Um, and then I’m kind of ruined after that. I hate it. And I hate that I Melissa: stress mat? Brett: What’s that? Oh, you mean Melissa: mat to stand on? Gotta get, gotta Brett: think that would help? Melissa: Oh, yeah. Yeah, I have Brett: used to have one Melissa: and one in front of the kitchen, and I don’t even, I don’t even, do the cooking. Brett: Ha. I used to, I used to have one of those in front of the stove when I w- when I didn’t have pain, but just because I was really getting into cooking and I was spending a lot of time, and I was starting to feel it in my knees. Um, yeah, maybe I should do Melissa: I think it’s a fatigue [00:22:00] mat, I think they call it. Brett: Yeah. Melissa: Yeah, Brett: That sounds Melissa: plus they look cool if you get little designs on them and stuff. Yeah. Oh, we could spend the day talking about just mobility aids and ergonomics and all that kind of stuff. Melissa Health Update Brett: Well, it’s your turn. Talk about whatever you like. Melissa: Yeah, you give me some ideas to talk about. Um, yeah, I struggle with a lot of the same things that you do. Um, I’m always like kinda comparing notes every time you post something. I’m like, "Oh No, ‘Cause you talked about Have you … You haven’t started the injections yet, have you? Brett: No, and they just delayed those. I don’t get them until like June 20th or something. Melissa: nervous about those for you, because I’ve had those and I’ve decided to just swear off them, so I’ll just kinda give you just a heads-up. I mean, it does raise your blood sugar, so that’s not great, and, um, it can give you the roid rage, kinda make you angry, so that’s something to watch out for, and more weight gain, so …But it’s like one of those things where you just have to kinda try [00:23:00] it and see if it works, because if it does work, then you could be more mobile and then maybe drop a few pounds and get some of that weight off of your spine. But if it doesn’t work, just know that that can happen, Brett: my doctor did not mention any of those side effects, so good to Melissa: Yeah. Yeah. It’s, it’s the chronic life, so that’s, that’s what, that’s what, uh, affects my mental health, so I’m, I’m really good at faking it. I am actually … I will say I’m actually feeling a little bit more even. ADHD Meds And Mutations Melissa: I’m on, uh … I love when you talk about different prescriptions and stuff. Uh, I just mentioned, so I’m taking Adderall. That is, ugh, it’s a mixed bag. Um, I wanted to ask you about Vyvanse, cause that’s the next thing for me, but it’s, like, super expensive, so I’m trying to make Adderall work as best I can, but I’m, I’m in the process of playing with the dosage. But I think she told me, like, the highest was 30. The thing is, uh, I’ve had genetic testing done, and [00:24:00] I have this condit- not a condition, but it’s a I’m a mutant. It’s a genetic mutation called, it’s, it’s just initials. It’s MTHFR, lovingly known as Brett: you process your, your, chemicals twice as … fast. I have Melissa: Yes, faster processing in the liver. So that’s when she told me, ’cause she started, uh, me out on methylphenidate, and I was like, “Well, what about Adderall?” Because it, I see it work for my kids, you know? The kids are chip off the old block, right? And so I’ve had them tested too, and all three of us are positive for that. It’s lovelin- lovingly known as the motherfucker gene mutation. Um, yeah, so, and it is. It’s, it’s quite a bitch, um, ’cause it causes a whole bunch of other problems. And of course, we’ve talked about Ehlers-Danlos, so I have, uh, hypermobile Eh- Ehlers-Danlos. I’m having a hard time … I’m just having a hard time with that in general, mental health wise, because there’s just not enough awareness about it, enough people, and doctors, doctors and nurses. And you know, I’ll, I’ll say I wanna, I would love to be able to get [00:25:00] to a point where I can just say, “I have H-E-D-S,” or heads or what- however they’re gonna pronounce it, and, like, somebody know what that is when I go in for an appointment. But I still have to explain it, you know? And then that, that cuts into my time. ‘Cause they only … When you’re, when you’re our age, they only give you, like, 15 minutes, if that. When you’re much older, ’cause I’ve had to take, I’ve had to take family members to the doctor, they get a whole lot more time. But, uh, you know, it’s like, "Oh, you’re, you’re too young to be this sick. You’re too young to be this old," Brett: Right. Yeah. Curious Doctors Matter Brett: Um, I did– I found that doctor for me that knew exactly what all those acronyms meant, knew exactly, like, not only did they know what POTS was, they knew like seven different kinds of POTS and what tests to use to narrow it down. And then she got called up to National Guard Melissa: Oh, I wondered, I wondered, what happened to that doctor, ’cause it sounded so Brett: I waited. I was on a, I was on– I w- I had an appointment scheduled that was gonna be six months from the time she [00:26:00] left. Um, and I had it scheduled, and it was on July 7th. And then I got a letter in the mail saying that her Guard duty had been extended, and now I can’t see her again until September. And, like, I’ve, I’ve tried seeing other doctors that work with her, but none of them have the knowledge she has, and it was such a relief Melissa: Is this the curious one? Okay. I always think about you whenever I’m either looking for a provider or in the, in the midst of, of getting, you know, shuffled around to a new provider. I’m like, “I hope they’re curious,” ’cause that made– that meant so much to me when you explained about how a doctor needs to be curious. I’m like, “That’s what I need.” I need somebody… Or even just my therapist. I have a new, a new therapist that I see, and she’s really curious, and I really, really like that about her. That’s something that helps with mental health, is when somebody’s curious, ’cause I’m Brett: it goes h- it goes hand in hand with credulousness. Like, [00:27:00] first they have to be willing to believe you, and like, especially when it comes to invisible issues like EDS. Like, you have to be willing to believe a person and then be curious enough to look for answers. Like, the first step is believing, and the second step is curiosity. Melissa: Yes. I’ve already had my patient record marked as… Have you ever heard this one? Worried well. Brett: No. Melissa: I looked it up. It’s basically hypochondriac. Brett: Yeah, that’s what I was gonna guess. That Melissa: Yep. I actually– I was proud of myself because I actually did confront the doctor about it and I said, “What does this mean?” I said, “I, I looked it up and it kinda concerns me ’cause it makes me look like a hypochondriac.” And she said, "Oh, no, no, that’s just a, a code that we use when we don’t have something else to assign to it so that insurance will pay." Bullshit. Brett: Yeah, right? I feel like that’s exactly the kind of [00:28:00] thing insurance doesn’t pay. Melissa: Mm-hmm. so Vyvanse Vs Adderall Brett: what do you wanna know about Vyvanse? Melissa: Um, a- and I know it’s different for everybody, but I just kinda wondered what your take was on it. Um, how– can you compare it to Adderall at all for me, Brett: Yeah. Melissa: no comparison? Brett: it’s basically a non-abusable, I would call it lower lying version of, of Adderall. Like, it’s in the same family of stimulant as Adderall, but it can’t– It isn’t processed or it’s… I don’t remember how the mechanics of it work, but you can’t snort it basically. Like, it doesn’t, it doesn’t do anything Melissa: Which I wouldn’t wanna do anyway ’cause there’s nothing up here. Brett: Sure. Sure. And then, yeah, I’m not suggesting that was gonna be a problem for you. Um, but it’s also, like, it’s way, um, for me anyway, it’s way calmer. [00:29:00] Um, and there are people that say it doesn’t do anything at all. Um, especially a lot of people, a lot of people say the generic version doesn’t do anything, um, and that the name brand version does, but I haven’t found that to be true. Like the generic, which you’re correct, still costs like 200 bucks a month, um, for the generic. Um, but it is– It’s not my favorite. Melissa: I wondered why– what made you stop taking it. Did it just not work for you? Brett: No, I still take Vyvanse. Um, yeah. Um, I used to take, um, Focalin, which I loved. Melissa: That really worked for my kiddo, yep. Brett: but it also triggered my mania, Melissa: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Brett: so I was always walking this line of like, do I wanna be super productive and manic with like weeks of depression in between, [00:30:00] or do I just wanna be somewhat productive and stable? Um, which is why I’ve stuck with Vyvanse, and my doctor loves it enough for me that she won’t, she won’t prescribe anything else for me at this point. Like, I’ve asked about switching. I’ve asked about moving back to Adderall and things like that, but, Melissa: It seems like you’re, like you’re kinda on an evening out. Brett: Yeah, I haven’t had a manic episode for a couple years now. Tracking Mood With Data Melissa: Do you track it? Do you– Like, have you ever seen those– I keep seeing these ads for it ’cause, you know, the algorithm feeds us the stuff for wearables that are, um, called– I think it’s called Visible, so it makes your symptoms more visible instead of invisible. Like, do you track it? Do you Have you nerded out on your own data? Brett: like my mania and depression? Melissa: Yeah, like do you track it and look at graphs or anything like that to Brett: See, I’ve never had to use an external tool because I can just look at GitHub contribution graphs, and I can look at [00:31:00] my RSS feed, and I can see exactly, like for a period of like eight years, I can pinpoint exactly where my manic episodes were, um, because that data is historically preserved out there on the internet for all to see. Um, it’s, yeah, it’s– Well, and that’s, like I built tools that gathered that, those various sources of data. Um, and then there was a, a tool called, um, I forget. Melissa: cool, though? Hmm. We’ll think Brett: But it could pull, it could pull in all that data. Um, Bell Beth Cooper, Hello Code, I can’t remember the name of the app. Melissa: Yeah, it’ll come to you eventually. Brett: sure. Uh, but it could pull in like your GitHub, uh, commits along with like what the weather was at the time, how many songs you listened to that Melissa: Oh, day one sorta does that, yeah. Brett: Does it now? Melissa: A little bit, yeah, your locations, [00:32:00] um, if you turn on some of those things. Like not– I don’t think it does the music and things like that, but Brett: I haven’t used it for a while. I haven’t used it for a Melissa: I was gonna switch to the journal app. I was actually really… I held off on upgrading to Tahoe for the longest time, but that one kept nagging at me ’cause I thought, oh, you know, maybe. I mean, as much as I love Day One, I, I thought about, I thought about actually switching over, but no. I tried it. I’m, I’m gonna stick with Day One. Brett: Cool. All right. Cane And Somatic Therapy Brett: Um, so did you have, did you have more to add to your Melissa: Oh, I was gonna, I was gonna add on to what you were talking about with the suspenders. I did start… I think you probably… Well, yeah, you commented on it. Um, I started using a cane, and that I have mixed feelings about that. Um, I should have brought it in here so I could show you. I’ll show you later, ’cause, uh, anyway, it’s, it’s purple. I did get a pimp cane. That’s what my husband calls it. I thought, damn it, if I’m gonna use, like, a cane, then it’s gonna be [00:33:00] purple, and I’m gonna like looking at it, as much as I hate to use it, so. So I’ve been trying to use it. I… What you were talking about with, uh, with finding a curious doctor, I do have new physical therapist, um, so I’m really happy about that. Same kind of thing where she’s super booked. I think that’s just how it is. Like, the really good ones, they’re good, and, you know, it shows because it’s, it’s hard to get in to see them. So yeah. So I’m, I’m looking forward to that. We’re gonna be doing… Have you heard of somatic therapy? Brett: Yeah. Melissa: Yeah. So ha- have you tried it? Do, do you like it? Okay. That’s, that’s what I’m embarking on. Brett: I actually have a friend who teaches classes in it. Melissa: Oh, Al probably knows about that. Brett: y- yeah, Melissa: Yeah, I’ll, I’ll Brett: and it is, it is amazing how hard just doing things, doing motions you’re used to, but doing them very slowly and intentionally. It is like you– Just like, Just like, doing y- like a clamshell where you drop your knee, you’re [00:34:00] on your back and you drop your knee down to the side and bring it back up. Like that motion, most of us, even infirmed people can do that okay. You try to take… You try to do that and take like five breaths in each direction, and you’ll start shaking. It’s very Melissa: Ah, uh-huh. Yep. Brett: Yeah, but it’s good. Like it’s g- it really retrains your muscles. It really, it strengthens, retrains, and helps with, uh, finer motor control. Melissa: Oh, that’s interesting. Yeah, I, I’m, I’m a little bit on the skeptical end of it, so that’s why I’m, I’m glad that, that you, you vouch for it too. It’s like I know that it works, but I just… I guess I wanna understand the science of it a little bit more. Like, for example, I’ve tried, uh, acupuncture, and I just didn’t feel like it did, did anything for me. I think you have to be, like, a believer, and I just Brett: think so. Melissa: I, I, I even did that on purpose knowing that I kinda felt like it wasn’t gonna work. I was like, well, what if I just go into this? ‘Cause, [00:35:00] ’cause I talk to people and they’re like, "Well, you have to believe in it." I’m like, but what if I don’t? I just don’t, you know? I’m, I see it Brett: it’s not medicine if you have to believe in it. Melissa: Yeah. I mean, I see it work for other people. I know there’s, you know, such a thing as placebos and things like that, and I don’t know, it’s, it’s woo-woo and I, I, I like woo-woo stuff. I, it just, it didn’t do anything for me, so… It’s not to say that it doesn’t work for other people, but it just did not work for me, and I, I kind of, I, maybe I just, uh, did that on purpose when I, I try- probably just tripped myself up going into it thinking, well, I just don’t believe it, so if it works, then there must be science behind it. And then, then, I’ll believe. But it didn’t work out, so. So the, I’m a little bit on the fence about the somatic thing, but the, the, the gal that I’m working with is just so, she has EDS herself, and like, like what you were saying, like, she, she knows all about it and she could even, you know, tell me the, the type that she has, and I was like, I met, I met, actually last week I met two zebras in one week. [00:36:00] You, you’re familiar with the, the zebra mascot? If you, uh, the saying goes, if you hear hooves, think horses. But we’re not horses, are we? Yeah, so Yeah, so that’s, that’s our, our Somatics For EDS Melissa: EDS Brett: somatic– somatics you don’t have to believe in for them to work. Melissa: Okay, that is Brett: it’s an actual physical therapy method that trains the finer muscles, um, that surround your larger muscles and, and strengthens those, and it– Yeah, it’s for real. It’s, yeah, it’s not like a… It’s soma- I think, Melissa: w- totally Brett: ’cause I I had the same reaction when someone said somatics, ’cause I think, “Oh, that’s some holistic idea of the body, um, of soma,” and it’s… No, it’s, it’s got legit physical therapy behind it. Melissa: And, Yoga Modifications Melissa: you used to do a lot of yoga too, so that probably makes Brett: I still do. Melissa: Yeah? That’s [00:37:00] wonderful. Brett: it’s gotten really hard. Um, I can’t, I can’t– So I get dizzy Melissa: Yeah. Brett: going from sitting to standing, um, and my back gives out if I am in, like, horse or warrior two for more than a couple minutes. Um, and I can’t do cobras because I have a belly like a nine-month pregnancy. Um, so I have to do, like, prenatal yoga, um, which is actually a thing. Melissa: that’s a good idea. I’m glad you brought that up. I should look Brett: a- and I do chair yoga, um, where I I take the class that everyone else takes, but I modify it to work with… Like, there, there are defined moves that you do with a chair instead of. Instead of doing down dog, you do, like, a 90-degree down dog holding the back of a chair. Um, and you put, like, a knee on the chair to do warrior two, so you’re actually [00:38:00] resting. And Um, and you can do it fully seated too and get at least the arm exercises out of it. So I’ve been trying to maintain, maintain flexibility and some endurance. I’m not doing yoga the way I used to do it, but I am still Melissa: I’ve seen some of your poses. It’s pretty impressive. Brett: Yeah, back in the day. Melissa: W- when you could be upside down. Polycystic Liver Shock Melissa: I should look into that because I, you know, although I’m done having babies, like far done having babies, I have… You probably know about this too, I have polycystic liver disease, which is a really rare type of liver disease, and it’s not fatty liver. Oh my God, I have to keep telling doctors that. That’s the other thing. It’s like, it is not fatty liver. It is not. It- they’re cysts. It’s a totally different thing. I’m basically full of bubbles. So I… But it feels like that’s why I went in to get it. I didn’t actually get that checked. I found it accidentally when I went in for an heart, for a heart CT. That’s when they found it, and for a, a breast MRI, so [00:39:00] both those, those types of scans caught it. The other parts were fine, so my heart’s fine, so that’s a relief. But yeah, so this was a bit of a shock. And so I don’t know exactly what it means moving forward, um, but my entire liver is, like, engulfed in cysts, so. Right? But my blood work is, is fantastic right now, so I’m just gonna keep Brett: That’s good. Melissa: hoping it stays that way. Brett: That’s something. Fatphobia In Healthcare Brett: Um, I I have heard for a long time about, um, doctors being fatphobic and, and always assuming that, um, always assuming that your health i-issue is because you’re fat and not even looking for underlying issues, which has been an interesting experience for me because that really never happened to me. Melissa: Mm. Brett: Um, at least not once I switched to Gundersen from, like, a local clinic. Then I realized that it’s not just being fat that gets you [00:40:00] stigmatized, it’s being a fat woman. Melissa: Mm, I was gonna say try having a uterus and being Brett: yeah. Yeah. Um, like I talked to one of my best friends, April, who he’s, has been on Melissa: by, women doctors. Brett: Yeah. Yeah. And that’s, that’s what April tells me. She tells me all these horror stories. Even after finding care she trusted, she still has to deal with people saying, “Well, if you just lost some weight.” Like, she’s been fat her whole life. She’s in better shape than most skinny people Melissa: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Brett: I mean, she does sit-ups with 50-pound plates and does, like, five, 10 miles at a time on her, like, on her bike and, like, she’s in great shape and still has to walk with the ski poles, and she’s getting her second knee replaced this week. And, like, it, it’s just infuriating to hear the way that doctors dismiss Melissa: You know what the problem is, Brett? Brett: goes through [00:41:00] when Pole Dancing Reality Check Melissa: Not enough doctors have watched fat pole dancers. That is the problem right there. They need more education. Brett: Um, yeah. There’s, there are a couple of, um, queer burlesque shows Melissa: shows, yes. Brett: in my area that almost always include a plus-size pole dance, and it is amazing to Melissa: Oh, it’s mesmerizing. It should be an Olympic sport. Remind me to send you the, the link to, unless you’ve already seen it, have you seen the Deadpool pole dancer? Brett: No, I don’t think Melissa: you are in for a treat. We might just have to put that in the show notes, but I don’t know, I don’t know if your listeners are that, are into that It’s fully clothed, but it’s, there’s even blue Crocs involved. Brett: So this is nobody that you’re seeing on the Melissa: I wondered, yep. I wondered, yeah. Aw, he looks so soft. Mm. Mechanical Keyboard ASMR Brett: So you’ve [00:42:00] gotten really into mechanical keyboards. Melissa: have, I have. In fact, uh, I was gonna, I was gonna see how this might sound, but I, I brought my little box of key caps to show you so that I could say, welcome to my ASMR channel. Brett: That would… is is that a thing? I bet there are ASMR, like, key switch testing. Melissa: yeah, yeah. I’ve run across a couple of videos where, you know, they’ll have a hashtag ASMR in there, and that’s, that’s what it is. Do you experience ASMR yourself? Brett: No. Melissa: No? So when you listen to those videos you don’t get like the s- the tickling of the spine and stuff? Brett: No. Melissa: I do. It actually, it goes, it… I forget. I always forget what the acronym stands for, but it, you know, has something to do with the meridian. So if you can i- imagine your brain like split in half, and I feel it right on this side. It goes, it goes like the, down the back of my head, behind my ear, and down into my shoulder. It [00:43:00] is the funkiest feeling, and I love it. I love it so much. Even when we were talking about animals in the, in the beginning and I even had a cat that would come and just like kind of lick my ear and, oh, I just, I love that. Most people cannot stand that sound. They have the opposite condition where they can’t handle somebody chewing gum. My grandfather had that. Um, some, some kinda, it ends in a tonia. Misatonia or something like that, um, where… I don’t know. Do you have any of those like sound sensory issues? I have a lot of Brett: really don’t. I’m very, I’m very, like, sound Like, I like loud, heavy music. Like, that does something for my psyche. Um, but general sounds, they neither bo-bother me nor stimulate me. Melissa: imagine what that’s like. I just can’t. I’m So bothered, and my kids too, and you know, ugh, God, Brett: So El Melissa: has been problematic. Brett: El is, El is, definitely sensitive to sound, um, in a way that Like, even my [00:44:00] mechanical keyboards can’t be, can’t be on the same floor of the house as Elle. We pretty much live in silence, and that’s fine for me most of the time because, like, it just doesn’t affect me either way. So, like, keeping things quiet is easy, and I focus well in silence. And then when Elle’s gone, I blast my music, and w- when I’m in the car, I blast my music, and then the rest of the time I live in the quiet place. Melissa: Mm-hmm. In The Quiet Place. Brett: Yeah. Melissa: Yeah, we have- something a little similar, but m- my husband and I have, uh… We have our his and hers kind of setup here in, in the, in our den, in our inner study. So he’s got his side and I’ve got my side. So we’re together, and he does a lot of grading papers, and he’s really good about putting his, his earbuds in and just tuning the whole world out. He’s… It’s fascinating to watch that man just [00:45:00] execute. I mean, I just am so envious of people who can just execute. But the, the, the, yeah, the sensory, it’s all about the sensory stuff for me when it comes to keyboards. I actually thought about… I don’t know how popular it would be, but I also thought about making a podcast, a video podcast, that would highlight the intersection of nail art and mechanical keyboards. Because I’ll tell you, that’s actually what… I’ve always loved mechanical keyboards, but yeah, the, the one that I had, someone had given me a, a Matias, and oh, it’s, it’s so loud, but it’s like high-pitched. It’s kinda sharp. And it was even kind of annoying to me after a while. And then it does not, it’s not a mechanical keyboard in that you can’t pull the switches out, so you’re kinda stuck with what you got. Like, you might be able to change the key caps if you could find them, but couldn’t change the switches. And something happened to the S key, and I was like, “All right, it’s over,” so. But I can’t get rid of them either, so one of these days I wanna have like a display of, of keyboards. [00:46:00] Nail Art And Picking Melissa: But what got me, what got me into saying, “Okay, I’m finally, I’m just gonna invest in a keyboard because it’s ergonomically important to me,” is I have… And I can’t pronounce it, so I’m not even gonna try, but there’s a condition, and it’s a self-diagnosed thing. But I, I am a picker. I pick my skin a lot. Um, I think it’s called derma something Anyway, so I wasn’t gonna try to pronounce it. But, uh, I’ve always had that condition since I was a kid. I didn’t even know it was a thing. I just thought everybody get, uh, picks. But then during the pande- during the pandemic, it got super bad. Like, I had, I had, um, some panic attacks and, you know, as a lot of probab- people probably did. But it got so bad to the point where I had picked my fingers and they were bleeding and they were throbbing and they were hurting. And I said to one of my kids, I said to my youngest, I said, “Can you just, like, if I, if I’m picking, can you just let me know?” And then I regretted doing that because then he took it on as this, like, full-time job, you know? And it kinda [00:47:00] gave him anxiety, and I thought, “Oh, okay, that, that was a bad thing to do.” So I s- I let him off the hook. I said, “No, you don’t have to tell me anymore.” Um, because, yeah, ev- even if I went to, like, just kinda, like, clean under my nail or something. So it was actually causing a real problem for the family that I was just picking so much. And it’s not just my fingers, it’s, like, other parts of my body. So I thought to myself, “Well, what can I do about this?” And so I started putting fake nail tips on. And I hate to be all, like… I don’t know, I’m not, I try not to be, like, a very vain person, but I really started kinda falling into the nail art side of things, and I, I just recently learned how to do gel and work with, um, uh, what’s it called? Uh, not resin. So I… Oh, that’s another ASMR thing. Do you like to watch resin pours? Brett: I do, actually, yes. Melissa: that’s… Okay, so if you like resin pours, if you like to watch the viscosity and the way the, the chemicals, like, form together and when they, when they mix colors in and stuff, [00:48:00] that’s what it’s like with nail art but on more of, like, a macro level because it’s, you know, you’re working with small stuff. Like, just, just recently I learned how to do… So I’m showing Brett this on, on camera, but I recently learned how to do the kind of nail polish that you take a magnet and you run the magnet along it, and it makes this, like, a cat’s eye. Brett: Yeah, that’s cool. Melissa: I love it. So, so that, so combining nail art then, and I thought, “Well, now I’ve got these long nails,” but all of my keyboards have been these flat, really low-profile keyboards. And, you know, I just, I started to dread it. So then I was kinda caught between a crossroads. Like, either I leave nails off and I can type really, really fast and have high accuracy with no nails, but then as soon as, as soon as I get, like, a little snag or something, then I start picking and then it’s just, it’s all over then. Or I try to find a way to work with these nails. So that’s what I started thinking, “Well, maybe if I had higher keys.” And so then I just, yeah, rabbit hole. [00:49:00] Went down the rabbit hole, and I’ve, I’ve just kinda been there ever since. And, uh, it really, I think, uh… Let’s see. How long ago did this start? It’s only been about maybe like six months or something like that, so. Keyboard Layout Rabbit Hole Melissa: But in that time so I’ve started, um, building a collection of switches. So I’ve been really interested in both the key caps and the switches. Um, I’ve got my baseboards. I like my Royal Kludge the best. This is… I’m gonna show Brett my Royal Kludge. So, so this is what it’s looking like right now. Brett: Yeah. Melissa: It is very purpley. Um, I did post some pictures. I can… I don’t know if you do pictures in show notes, but I could take some pictures for you It’s got a knob. It’s got, um… Let me see if I can do it real Brett: Do you use the knob. I have a couple keyboards with knobs and even a joystick, and I never actually use them Melissa: Good question. Um, I, I use it, I try to use it for volume at [00:50:00] times, and that’s probably what I use it for the most. But this one does have a… Let’s see if I can get this into focus here, backwards and upside down. It’s gonna be upside down, but you see how you can put, you can put your logo Brett: Oh, yeah. Nice. Melissa: got my The Mac Mommy little logo on there. Otherwise, it gives you the time in military format, so that’s kind of handy to have. Um, but yeah, it’s… To be honest, I, I love the, I love this Royal Kludge because it’s nice and heavy, and I love the form factor. It’s got a number pad, um, because I’m, because I am a grown-ass adult and I need a number pad. Um, but it’s nice and heavy. It doesn’t, it doesn’t move around my desk a lot. I kind of have to type, like, kind of crooked, ’cause that’s just the way my neck goes to the wrong way and stuff like that. So I like being able to fit it on my desk. I have a, I had a larger one made by Red, uh, what is it? Redragon. This is the one that I started [00:51:00] out with. Gonna make lots of noise here. But as you can see, this one is way bigger. And it was, as much as I liked it, I mean, I fell in love with it, but what was happening was my accuracy was, like, really thrown off because I fe- I kept feeling like it just needs to be, like, a couple centimeters to the right or a couple centimeters to the left. It just wasn’t centered very well. So this one, my husband gets all the hand-me-downs, so that one went over onto his desk. Uh, and then I also have a baby keyboard here, and this is another Redragon. This is my little mini one. Brett: that’s, that’s the kind of keyboard I mostly use, like a 70% keyboard. Melissa: Yeah, I think this one’s even 60. Um… Brett: My– The one I’m using right now is, uh, 60. There’s no, there’s no function row, there’s no arrow, there’s no keypad or, like, arrow pad. Um, Melissa: No [00:52:00] arrows? How do you live without arrows? Oh, do you, you mapped your keys to something Brett: so it looks like this, Melissa: nice. I love the Brett: that the, the space bar is split in two. Yeah, my, my, my partner says it looks like, uh, gay ’80s. It’s all pink and blue and purple. Um, but the, the space bar is split, and the right half of mine functions as something called a mod key, and when I hold that down, then my I, J, K, and L keys become arrow keys. Melissa: Oh, wow. Brett: once you get used to it, you never have to take your hand off the home row. Melissa: Oh my God, that must be amazing. Brett: It– Yeah, once you get used to it, it, it’s so… Like, g- moving to a keyboard that doesn’t have that is kind of tortuous. On my MacBook Pro, I have remapped it using Karabiner so that Melissa: [00:53:00] That’s what I’m using. Brett: if I hold, the semicolon down with my pinky, then H-I-J-K-L become, Melissa: Oh, nice. Brett: become arrow keys, so I still don’t have to move my hand all the way down and to the right. Like, that’s such a inefficient movement that then I have to, like… Because I don’t have great feeling in my fingers, so finding, on a low-profile keyboard, finding the, the homing buttons again Melissa: Oh, do you use the humming buttons? See, that’s the thing, I was never taught that. I mean, I took like a ty- I took like a typewriting class back in high school, and I just didn’t like it. I, I just taught myself. I just… I’m an autodidact that way, so I just taught myself. Brett: my dad, back in 1984, we had a typing program on our PCjr, and I Melissa: It wasn’t Mavis Beacon, was it? Brett: remember. I don’t remember. All I know is, like, It taught you touch typing, and it would give you [00:54:00] these lessons, and you would basically just mirror what was on screen. And at the age of seven, I was typing at about 68 words per minute on an, on an old IBM PCjr keyboard. Um, got a lot faster through high school and everything. But yeah, I was, I was, from day one, I was raised to be a touch typist, and, and I took all the classes they had in school. Melissa: But you still touch Brett: labs. Yeah. Melissa: Uh-huh, yeah. So you don’t do the home rows. Brett: No, that is touch Melissa: Oh, touch typing, so you do feel… for the bumps. Brett: Yeah, I feel for the bumps, and then I just, like, my f- my key, my fingers never really leave the Melissa: Oh, yeah. See, I wish I could do Brett: centered home row. Yeah. It’s, it, it’s good. Um, Melissa: And you’re using the split, so my gosh. Brett: What– You get used to that too. Um, like, [00:55:00] I can’t do it with the split far apart. I’ve seen people use, like, splits, like, way out to the sides, and I can’t, my, my brain doesn’t do that. Like, my hands have to be within, like, six inches of each other. Melissa: I always thought, it would be so cool to have something where you could have it, like, raised up like this, right? And use your hands sideways. Brett: Yeah. Well, that’s I mean, that’s essentially, I have, on the bottom of this keyboard, I have these risers. Melissa: Oh, uh-huh. Oh, Brett: So it sits, right now I have it at about a 45-degree tent, tent, tent. Um, but it can go up to more like an 80-degree tent, where you’re actually Melissa: Wow. Brett: uh, almost like you’re clapping, you’re typing. Um, I don’t Melissa: of that. I have a, a, handshake mouse. Brett: Vertical mouse. Melissa: You like… Is that what you have for a mouse too? Brett: no, I, I love Melissa: Trackballs. Oh, trackpads. Oh, okay. Brett: Apple’s Magic Trackpad changed my life. I’ve never used– I’ve never gone back to a [00:56:00] mouse since the first Magic Trackpad came out. Melissa: So you’re all about the gestures then? Brett: yeah, Melissa: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. That’s great. Brett: Bet- bet- better touch tool for the win. Melissa: You know what it is for me, is because of the type of work that I do, and this is very much true for both of us, you do these things because of the type of work that you do. The type of work that I do, I’m in everybody’s homes, so I have to ty- I have to be able to type and use their mouse and, I mean, it’s actually a very dirty job. So I keep hand wipes with me everywhere. Um, that, that was why during the pandemic I was like, “I am not coming to your house and I am not touching the stuff that you just picked your nose and…” Yeah, mm-mm. But, so, so i- it’s been kind of keeping me almost like a purist in a way as far as keyboards have gone all these years. I, I finally just kind of let go and embraced this recently, th- which is why I’m so excited and why I’m just kind of nerding out on it, because when, when I worked [00:57:00] in, like, I’ll call it the industry, um, I got my f- my start in prepress. So I worked in prepress, I was a typesetter, and we had… That’s what I kind of miss. We had the old clunky beige keyboards, and I had my muscle memory such that I think my o- my Option key would have, like, the indentation of my nail on it. You know? ‘Cause I had, just like you have, keys that are programmed. I could… I was a Quark queen. I don’t know if you’re familiar with QuarkXPress? Brett: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I was a graphic designer. I I know Quark. Melissa: Yeah, I loved it. I was… And, and I used it back in the OS 9 days, OS 7 really, is when I started out. Uh, I did not like the OS X vers- OS 10 version of Quark. Did not like it at all. Brett: No, but that’s Melissa: it was slow. Brett: Adobe came out with, what was, what was Adobe’s… InDesign. Yeah. By the time I had started, by the time I had started my own ad agency, we were all InDesign. Melissa: Oh, [00:58:00] nice. Okay. I mean, it was a Brett: and none of the, none of the print shops expected Quark files Melissa: Yeah. Oh, it was so expensive. I remember I had to buy it when I was in college, and I remember it cost, like, $800. I’m probably still paying for that, damn it, in interest. Yeah, so that, that’s how I got my start originally, and that’s how I was doing… I, I went to… So I have, I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts. I went to college in order to be a designer. I wanted to be a designer designer, and that’s what I, what I thought I was good at and thought that I liked doing, ’cause, you know, “Oh, you’re a girl. Go to art school. You like to draw.” You know? I’m always bitter about that because I really wish that I would’ve been able to go… I mean, this was, you know… I’m, I’m 51, so this was back in the day where girls, girls don’t do computers and girls don’t do coding. G- girls don’t do computer science. They didn’t even call it computer science. They didn’t even call it graphic design back then. It was commercial art. Um, so I studied that and, you know, I liked it ’cause I thought, “Well, this is what I could, I could take my art and make [00:59:00] a living into it.” And then fast-forward, um, I just started to fall in love with the technical troubleshooting side of things. So as, as good as I was at the technical typesetting and the technical, like, putting prepress things together, you know, um, uh, key sheets and s- you know, things like that. Do you remember, was there, uh, did you ever use a program called Quick Keys? That was one of the ones Brett: familiar. Melissa: you could map your own keys to things. So w- when I was in prepress and doing typesetting, I used that program and I, I mapped all my keys, and I had all these quick keys and stuff so I could go really, really fast, you know? So when they wanted something done fast, they gave it to me, and I could just fly through documents with this. But then as people learned that I was good at this kind of stuff and troubleshooting, they’re like, “Oh, hey, Roger needs, you know, has a problem. Can you go help him?” So I’d go over to his cubicle, I sit down, and he’s got nothing. You know, he’s got [01:00:00] no quick keys, no nothing, and you just kinda get lost because your muscle memory just adapts to it. And I couldn’t help people the way… And, and that was what it was about for me. I really liked more helping people and troubleshooting and the technology side of things than the actual design process. So I kind of went to the other side with it. And so I just kind of, like, vowed that, okay, I’m not gonna do any kind of, like, customization on my own workstation because then I’ll, my, my muscle memory will map to it, and then when I go to sit down to help somebody else, I won’t… You know, I’ll be so much in my own world that I won’t be able to help them. And so I just kind of, like, remained a, a pu
You've seen this before. A genetic report comes back loaded with red SNPs. MTHFR. APOE. COMT, and suddenly everything feels more complicated. More supplements. More restrictions. More second-guessing.That creates overwhelm.In this episode, Dr. Ritamarie breaks down how to actually use genetics in practice without turning it into a list of problems to fix. SNPs aren't diagnoses, and they don't tell you what to do on their own.What matters is how those variants show up in the body.You'll learn how to step back, look at pathways instead of individual SNPs, and connect genetics with labs, symptoms, and physiology, so your decisions actually make sense.If genetic testing has ever made things harder instead of clearer, this will change how you approach it.What's Inside This Episode?• Why genetic testing often creates overwhelm instead of clarity • The problem with focusing on individual SNPs like MTHFR and APOE • Why SNPs are variants, not diagnoses or mutations • The shift from “red flags” to pathway-based thinking • How to integrate genetics with labs, symptoms, and physiology • What to look at instead of reacting to every variant • How to prioritize interventions using systems thinking • Why sequencing matters more than stacking protocolsResources and Links:Download the full transcript hereDownload our FREE Smart Supplementation MatrixJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out our other podcast episodes here
Dr. Deb Muth 00:03Welcome to Let’s Talk Wellness Now. I am your host, Dr. Deb.And today, I have the pleasure of meeting with Dr. James Greenblatt. I’ve known Dr. Greenblatt for a very long time. We, started lecturing together, gosh, over 15 years ago.And he is an amazing practitioner. Dr. Greenblatt is dual board certified in psychiatry and internationally recognized.as a pioneer in functional and integrative psychiatry. He’s widely regarded as the leading expert on the clinical application of low-dose lithium for mental health.Dr. Greenblatt has spent more than 30 years advancing precision medicine-based approaches that move beyond symptom management to address the root causes of mental illness.And after earning his medical degree at George Washington University.Dr. Greenblatt completed his psychiatry and residency there as a fellow in child and adolescent psychiatry.Joined John Hopkins Medical School, and he currently serves as an assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University. He is a prolific author. Dr. Greenblatt has written 9 books, including his newest book, Finally Hopeful. in… available in January of 2026. We can ask him about this today.And his bestsellers finally focused the breathwork, natural treatment plan for ADHD,Answers to anorexia, Functional and Integrative Medicine for Antidepressant withdrawal, and nutritional lithium, and Untold tale of Mineral and Transforms Lives, that heals the brain.He has founded, in 2019, the Psychiatry Redefined, a leading educational platform training clinicians worldwide in functional and integrative psychiatry. He is a sought-after international speaker. Dr. Greenblatt regularly lecturesOn nutritional psychiatry and the transformative role of functional medicine.I am super excited to have him here with us today. This is going to be a pleasure. You guys are going to love this conversation that we are going to have. And I am going to pick his brain today on functional and integrative psychology and psychiatry, and combining nutrition, biochemistry, and lifestyle with mental health care.I’m really, really happy to have Dr. Greenblatt with us, so I am going to bring him on, and we are going to have this amazing conversation with my friend.Welcome back to Let’s Talk Wellness Now. I’m your host, Dr. Deb, and I have with me Dr. James Greenblatt, who I have followed for… we were just chatting about this for over 20 years.He is amazing in what he is doing, and we are going to have this conversation today about integrative psychiatry and the future of mental health. So, welcome to the show, Dr. Greenblatt. James greenblatt md 03:20Thank you, Dips, good to be with you. Dr. Deb Muth 03:22Now, you’ve been pioneering this integrative psychiatry for decades. What really inspired you to bridge nutrition and psychiatry long before it’s become mainstream? James greenblatt md 03:35You know, I developed an interest in college, you know, studying nutrition, and then I remember writing papers on orthomolecular psychiatry, high dose, vitamin B3 for schizophrenia.So, I really did not think I’d be a psychiatrist. I wanted to be a pediatrician when I went to medical school, but, just early interest in nutrition and brain function.And it’s been my career now for 30-plus years. Dr. Deb Muth 04:05Wow. Can you define what integrative psychiatry actually means, and how it’s different from traditional psychiatry for most people who wouldn’t be familiar with that term? James greenblatt md 04:17Sure, I mean, I have to add the word functional as well. I mean, I think, you know, I call myself a functional psychiatrist, but for most of my career, and every book, and everything I did, I would have to use words like functional and integrative.Medicine for mental illness. And, you know, I define integrative medicine as the… Adjunctive lifestyle, mindfulness. And diet, sleep, and exercise. Dr. Deb Muth 04:46Mmm. James greenblatt md 04:46And I kind of use the term functional for kind of a deeper root cause dive, looking at nutritional deficiencies, looking at hormones, looking at genetics. And, you know, to treat patients with mental health challenges, we need both integrative and functional medicine. Dr. Deb Muth 05:05That’s awesome. You know, in our integrative space, we often kind of joke that there’s no such thing as a Prozac deficiency, right? Can you explain to our listeners how nutrient deficiencies, gut health, or inflammation can play a role in mental illness? James greenblatt md 05:23Sure, I mean, I think the most importantBeginning of this conversation would be that, you know, 10 people with depression, there might be 10 different underlying factors. Dr. Deb Muth 05:35Yeah. James greenblatt md 05:35And we do know that there’s not an antidepressant deficiency, so we have to look deeper. And… and that’s,just different than our current psychiatry model, where it’s just symptomatic-based medicine. Everyone who’s depressed. It’s an antidepressant.And by looking at functional integrative medicine, we’re looking at B12 and vitamin D and zinc and magnesium. We’re looking at hormones, we’re looking at the gut, and we’re trying to determine what might be either causing or contributing to that person’s depression. Dr. Deb Muth 06:10Is there a particular, flavor that you see more commonly with others, like depression versus anxiety versus bipolar. Is there a particular underlying factor that you see more commonly than others? James greenblatt md 06:27Well, the short answer is no, and that’s why this work takes time, because you have to think.You know, every patient that walks in the office is different. I mean, I think the overarching umbrella is nutritional deficiencies, you know, whether… regardless of weight, regardless of diet. I mean, I have people coming in who’ve been eating…You know, these ketogenic or paleo diets, you know, perfect organic foods, and are profoundly nutritionally deficient.So I think nutritional deficiencies would be number one, and then, you know, the whole host of, you know, infections and hormone problems and inflammatory issues related to celiac disease is really common in the mental health space that’s ignored. Dr. Deb Muth 07:14Yeah. Celiac disease is really not paid attention too much, other than thinking that it’s damaging the gut. They don’t really think about all the other aspects of the body that are being affected by the gut not being able to absorb the nutrients properly and then utilize them properly. It’s really sad. James greenblatt md 07:34we find out… and there’s research to support it. That’s the tragedy. This is not something, as clinicians, that we found. We have many, many years of research showing high rates of anxiety and depression, you know, amongst those with, celiac disorder because of this chronic malnutrition, and many patients present without any GI symptoms, just mental health complaints, but nobody’s looking at celiac. Dr. Deb Muth 08:02Yeah. You know, I’m sure there’s people that are listening to us thinking, there’s no way thatEverybody who’s depressed or anxious has a nutritional deficiency. When we’re… live in a country where there’s so much abundance of food, and the obesity rates are high, and most people are very plump, how could those people be deficient in nutrients? What do you say to people who think like that? James greenblatt md 08:28Yeah, I mean, I think that, you know, we have, what’s called high caloric malnutrition, so regardless of weight, I would say the vast majority of patients with a mental health issue I would say my best guess would be 90-plus percent. Dr. Deb Muth 08:47Wow. James greenblatt md 08:47We would find nutritional deficiencies. Dr. Deb Muth 08:51And part of this, we’ve discovered, is genetics. James greenblatt md 08:56People having, kind of, genetic needs for Higher amounts of certain micronutrients. Some of it is just the kinds of foods people are eating. The kind of ultra-processed food actually strips the body of micronutrients. So, it is just so common, and many of these tests are pretty simple that your primary care doctor could do in the office. Dr. Deb Muth 09:22So, traditional labs can identify some of these nutritional deficiencies. They don’t necessarily have to invest thousands of dollars in advanced nutrient testing to find these things out. James greenblatt md 09:35Absolutely. I mean, I think, you know, oftentimes when we’re working with a patient who has failed traditional psychiatric treatment, we do need some functional, testing, but I’m quite convinced we could change the trajectory of our mental health epidemic in this country by some labs that are covered by every insurance company on the planet. Like, people think of vitamin D as, you know, building bones or immune function.It has dramatic relationships to mental health problems, demonstrated over 30 years of research. So vitamin D and B12 and folate, all simple blood tests that are covered by all health insurances. Dr. Deb Muth 10:18You know, with the change of genetics, MTHFR is so popularly known these days. It’s probably the most popular genetic mutation that people know of.And in the mental health space, it plays a significant role as well in that absorption of B12 and folate. How do you look at MTHFR mutation with inside the mental health world? James greenblatt md 10:43Well, I think it’s, It’s critical, it’s required on every patient that I see, and I’ve been, known to say it would be considered malpractice for psychiatrists not to test for the MTHFR gene. Because most of my career, I’ve spent working in inpatient psychiatric hospitals and residential. So seeing those individuals that have failed outpatient treatment, so really struggling.And one of the most common things I’ve been seeing for 30 years are those psychiatric patients not responsive to traditional treatment. oftentimes have one of the more significant MTHFR variants. And so we started doing the testing in the hospital, and they came back with these you know, variants and treated with folate, the medicines worked better, and their depression got better. It is simple. And essential. So, the integrative community, our community is aware of it, but our conventional psychiatrists are not testing for MTHFR. Dr. Deb Muth 11:50Yeah, it’s so sad, isn’t it? Because it’s such a simple test, and can make such a big difference in people’s lives. I know even in the OBGYN community, we’re not looking at MTHFR, and yet we’re giving women all this folic acid that many of them might not be able to actually utilize.And we’re… in my opinion, we’re doing a disservice to those women and the children that are being born to them for that. James greenblatt md 12:15Yeah, no, it’s frustrating, when there are clear, simple, treatment interventions that could make major difference in people’s lives that are just not incorporated into, kind of, routine treatment models. Dr. Deb Muth 12:31How come we see some people with MTHFR mutations, or gene mutations, have depression and anxiety that is so severe, and then other people seem to have absolutely no problems with mental health at all, and they have a similar profile? James greenblatt md 12:47Yeah, I mean, that’s just a great example, as, you know, genes aren’t our destiny, it’s just kind of a vulnerability.And, you know, we actually, when we were in the hospital, we tested, you know. hundreds of people and staff as well. And, you know, people are going to be lived to 100 and have these very vulnerable MTHFR genes. So it’s not the genes, it’s… I call it that genetic-environmental dance. So if we add… that genetic vulnerability, and maybe we add a, you know, a Lyme infection, or a chronic stress, or a B12 deficiency, or celiac, or we could list a hundred things, stress and inflammation probably being the most significant. With that genetic vulnerability, that’s where, you know, the implications of treatment come more defined. Dr. Deb Muth 13:45Yeah. What do you think the role of trauma plays in all of this, too, with the genetics? Do you think that trauma that people are living with today makes a big impact on their genes and how their genes are being turned on or off? James greenblatt md 14:01Yeah, I mean, we know trauma is kind of, you know, sets the stage for so much psychiatric illness. I think in my… Community of mental health professionals. we kind of use the trauma as an excuse to not think of the biology. And trauma… Affects the biology. Dr. Deb Muth 14:21So… James greenblatt md 14:22without negating the past trauma or current trauma, we still need to dig deep into the B12 and MTHFR and vitamin D. But… the trauma does affect the expression of certain genes. It also ex… we see a lot of, nutritional deficiencies after trauma due to poor digestion, because the Digestive enzymes and the hydrochloric acid kind of just shut down. And so, again, eating great food, but not absorbing these micronutrients. So I’ve seen that years after trauma. Dr. Deb Muth 14:5Yeah, it’s really hard. I’ve worked with Dr. Mark Gordon, and he does a lot of trauma work for veterans, and he focuses a lot on the hormones that get affected because of the brain trauma and the head trauma that people experience in combat. Or the repetitive shot firings and things like that, and how it correlates to anxiety. And then just balancing out some of those hormones can make a significant difference for them, and he’s actually been tracking the reduction of some of the hormones as a result of those traumas. Have you seen similar things like that with mental health and hormones? James greenblatt md 15:36Not… I haven’t made that direct correlation, but what we see when we evaluate somebody with trauma is just, you know, a kind of very wide range of metabolic abnormalities from Hormonal, to insulin resistance, to nutrient deficiencies, again, that aren’t dietary related. Dr. Deb Muth 15:57So… James greenblatt md 15:58Definitely, somehow, some path from the trauma. Dr. Deb Muth 16:03Yeah. If you had to choose your most favorite cutting-edge research or biomarker that you’re most excited about right now in the world of nutritional psychology or psychiatry, what would that be? James greenblatt md 16:19Well, you know, I counted as 250 that we look at when I evaluate a site patient, but there’s one… That is so simple, and has such profound implications, and that’s looking at levels of cryptopyrrol in the urine. Dr. Deb Muth 16:36Oh, yeah. James greenblatt md 16:37urine test. It measures this, molecule, a pyrole derivative, and Most of us would have normal levels. And if it’s elevated, It is, it’s likely a genetic vulnerability, but this, cryptopyrrol just binds B6 and zinc. So you have this tremendous deficiency of B6 and zinc. And elevated cryptopyril is always associated with psychiatric symptoms, usually anxiety, but we’ve seen depression and panic and even paranoia. And it’s simple to treat. We’re talking about, you know, pennies a day, B6 and zinc. Dr. Deb Muth 17:20The marker comes down. James greenblatt md 17:23And symptoms improve. I mean, it is really stunning and dramatic. Dr. Deb Muth 17:28That is amazing, because you’re right, I mean, in something that seems so simple and so inexpensive oftentimes gets dismissed, because we think that it’s not going to do enough, but some of these things that biochemically are happening to people Really need to start being addressed, because the side effects that they’re having with multiple layers of medications is not good for them either. James greenblatt md 17:52Yeah, the amount of medications now, because of our kind of ineffective model, is just exploding, so people are taking 3, 4, 5 psychiatric medications to treat a problem that sometimes there might be a simpler solution. Dr. Deb Muth 18:11Yeah. Can you share a case example of where an integrative approach really transforms someone’s mental health when medication alone wasn’t working? James greenblatt md 18:22Sure, you know, many, but there’s one that I just talked about, A couple nights ago about a gentleman who, you know, traveled around the country seeing integrative doctors, as well as traditional doctors, had a bag full of supplements, because every Doctor put them on a different regimen. And, strong family history of depression and addiction. He struggled with depression and addiction. And, you know, could not get off antidepressants. So, he had a lot of blood work, everything was normal, and the one test that we found in our battery was low levels of essential amino acids. Dr. Deb Muth 19:08Wow. James greenblatt md 19:09So this was, someone who was eating, you know, organic foods and grass-fed protein, so he was eating the perfect diet.But he was completely deficient in amino acids. So, again, that inability to digest and absorb, so just by giving this individual hydrochloric acid. Free-form amino acids. He was able to begin to feel better, and eventually we were able to taper him off these medications. So it was just, it wasn’t dietary intake, it was a problem of digestion and absorption. Dr. Deb Muth 19:50That is incredible, because I don’t think, even in the functional medicine world, where we’re focused so heavily on gut health, we are not making that correlation that people are not digesting their proteins to make amino acids, to make neurotransmitters. That… that thought process isn’t happening with a lot of functional medicine practitioners either. James greenblatt md 20:11No, it hasn’t, and maybe because it’s too simple, you know? It’s not trying to look at 75 markers on organic acid, it’s just… Dr. Deb Muth 20:21Yeah. James greenblatt md 20:21Looking at, you know, 9 essential amino acids. And usually there’s a pattern. They’re either all low, you know, or normal, or high, and that means something. So, I remember when I first did amino acid testing, it was by mistake. I remember in the 90s, I checked the wrong box in a lab company. And it didn’t make sense to me when I first started doing it, but now it is one of the most important tests that I do for adult depression. Dr. Deb Muth 20:49Yeah. How do those amino acids, work with, like, that resistant depression, anxiety. What do they actually do that makes the anxiety and the depression worse? James greenblatt md 21:02Well, the essential amino acids, essential meaning our body needs to get them from our diet, are the precursors to every protein in the body, but in psychiatry, they’re the precursors to the neurotransmitters.So, tryptophan, precursor to serotonin, phenylalanine, the precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine. So if those are deficient.And we have studies in humans and animals, going back, I think, to the 70s, that we can affect the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. So low levels of these amino acids affect neurotransmitters. It’s actually a research protocol called tryptophan depletion studies. Where we give people in the lab low levels of tryptophan, and we watch them get irritable, depressed, and angry. Dr. Deb Muth 21:51It’s interesting that we’re willing to do that to people, right? But you’ve got to figure it out sometimes. You have to know that what you think is actually working. James greenblatt md 21:58Absolutely. Dr. Deb Muth 22:00Yeah. How do you guide patients to safely combine their natural approaches with their psychiatric medications? James greenblatt md 22:09I think the vast majority of the, the work that we’ve been doing, is all nutritional supplements or interventions that can be done with medications. So it’s not an either-or model when we think of functional psychiatry. It’s just kind of adding tools you know, to the toolbox. There are very few interactions with medications. Sometimes high-dose amino acids we won’t use with certain medications, but all the Vitamins and minerals and gut support that we’re recommending can be utilized with medications. Dr. Deb Muth 22:49That’s awesome, because I think there’s a lot of fear around that, right? Like, if I take this, it’ll interfere with that. And some things, yes, they do interfere, but it’s good for people to understand that they can do these things safely, but they need to work with somebody knowledgeable, like yourself, or somebody that has come from one of your training programs that really, truly understands this. James greenblatt md 23:10Yeah, absolutely. It’s, it’s an integrative model where individuals can Sometimes it’s just the medications work better. Other times, it’s a path to tapering someone off the medications. Dr. Deb Muth 23:24Yeah. For patients or families that are listening, and they’re really feeling frustrated by medication-only solutions, where do you recommend that they start? James greenblatt md 23:36Well, I have to say my book. So, you know, the book I just wrote, Finally, Hopeful, is written for patients, and I think the title is the best part of it, you know, Hope. I think as you begin to appreciate the role of nutrition and depression. So, there are some, some good books out there, that, on my website, psychiatryRedefine.org, there’s a list of clinicians, and, in the next month, I’ll be setting up a network of functional psychiatry clinicians, So, around the country that have been trained, so that program is called Finally Living Now, I think, Finally Living Now, so…People, want the information. Too many of our traditional docs just don’t have the training, so we’ll hopefully be able to provide a network of clinicians who can help. Dr. Deb Muth 24:30That’s fantastic, and for those of you who are driving or didn’t catch those links, don’t worry about it. We will have them in the show notes for you, so you can find these people that have been trained and understand what to do to help you. What gives you optimism about the future of psychiatric and mental health care? James greenblatt md 24:51Well, the explosion of research is really, have given me some renewed energy at this point in my career, because in the last 5 years. There are just hundreds of incredibly well-written academic articles, references that our traditional researchers have kind of just validated everything that we’ve been saying for 30 years. So we have studies on vitamin D deficiency, and suicide, and zinc deficiency, and suicide, and folate, and the gut. And the most significant for me is, I’ve been talking about lithium orotate. Dr. Deb Muth 25:34Print this. James greenblatt md 25:34years as a nutritional intervention, probably the most important in my practice, and a study came out of Harvard. This year, Describing lithium orotate, the only lithium preparation that was able to reverse Alzheimer’s pathology in mice models. and prevent it in these models. It was a pretty dramatic study. Dr. Deb Muth 25:57Oh. James greenblatt md 25:58So… Long-inded answer, but it’s the research now that is just supporting everything we’ve been yelling about for 30 years that just is going to make it much easier to train doctors and nurse practitioners so we can help more patients. Dr. Deb Muth 26:15Oh, that’s fantastic. That’s an… I’m going to look up that study, that’s amazing. So, one last question for you is, if someone was listening today, and they’re really struggling with anxiety and depression, and they’re out of answers, what would you tell them to give them hope? James greenblatt md 26:32I think that, you know, I’ve been doing this 30 years, and I have colleagues around the globe, and Everyone would kind of just echo that there are some simple interventions, and to try to find either your primary care doctor, or a mental health professional, or a naturopath who will dig deeper and look at some objective tests, and I’m positive that if you’re struggling with depression, that they’ll find something to help you. Dr. Deb Muth 27:06That’s awesome. Thank you so much for joining us today. Are there any last thoughts that you want to leave with our listeners? James greenblatt md 27:13Well, just to repeat two things I’ve said a couple times is, hope, you know, finally hopeful is the book, and then everyone’s different. And your neighbor might be taking, you know, found out that they had a vitamin B12 deficiency, and that cured their depression. it doesn’t mean you have a B12 deficiency, but there are many. a path towards looking deeper. Everyone’s different, but there is hope. Dr. Deb Muth 27:44Thank you so much for joining me today. James greenblatt md 27:46Thanks for having me, nice talking with you. Dr. Deb Muth 27:52Thank you for joining me today on Let’s Talk Wellness Now and Dr. James Greenblatt for the insightful conversation on integrative psychiatry and the future of mental health.If you’ve ever felt dismissed, over-medicated, or frustrated by cookie-cutter approaches to mental health, remember, there is always hope. Healing begins when we look deeper at nutrition, environment, biochemistry, and the unique story within every patient. That’s the art and the science Dr. Greenblatt calls us back to. If today’s episode resonated with you.Share it with someone who needs to hear that mental health illness is not a life sentence. It’s a message from the body, asking to be completely understood. Remember, wellness isn’t just about feeling good, it’s about thriving in every area of your life. If you’re ready to explore how root cause psychiatry or functional medicine can help you or a loved one find hope again, visit DrGreenblatt.com and check out his new book that is just out. Until next time, I’m Dr. Deb, reminding you to take care of your body, mind, and spirit. Be well, and I will see you in our next episode.The post Episode 263 – Functional and integrative psychiatry: combining nutrition, biochemistry, and lifestyle with mental health care first appeared on Let's Talk Wellness Now.
Leveling Up: Creating Everything From Nothing with Natalie Jill
If you are a woman in midlife who is exhausted, foggy, losing your hair, and being told it is just aging — this episode is going to change how you look at your body forever. I sat down with Julie Sawaya, the co-founder of Needed, and what I learned blew my mind. Julie is a trained nutritionist with a Stanford MBA. She was doing EVERYTHING right — farmer's market every Sunday, nutrition certifications, incredibly intentional about every bite. And then she tested herself. Almost every nutrient came back in the red zone. If two trained nutritionists were massively depleted, what is happening to the rest of us? Here is the kicker. The nutrition standard we are all measured against — the RDA — was created in 1941. For men. Going to war. Based on the minimum needed to keep troops from getting sick. That is the floor we are still being measured against in 2026. As women. In midlife. Going through one of the most nutritionally demanding phases of our lives. Ninety-five percent of women are nutritionally depleted. Ninety-seven percent of pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin and are STILL depleted. And nobody is connecting the dots between pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause as one long depletion pipeline. We go DEEP on: The 1941 RDA standard, why it was built for wartime men, and why it is still failing women today The depletion pipeline: how pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause stack on top of each other and most women never get to refill the tank CHOLINE — the nutrient behind midlife brain fog that almost nobody is talking about (and the brand new April 2026 fMRI study showing a single dose improved working memory connectivity within three hours) Omega-3 and the midlife brain — why 89% of US adults are in the high cardiovascular risk range and why plant-based sources alone do not cut it Magnesium — the most Instagrammed supplement in the world right now, and why most women are taking the form their body literally cannot absorb The supplement trap: folic acid vs. methylfolate, magnesium oxide vs. glycinate, cyanocobalamin vs. methylcobalamin — and why 40% of us cannot even process the cheap forms because of an MTHFR variant Red flags and green flags to look for the next time you flip over a supplement bottle Why the protein RDA is laughably low for midlife women, and what we actually need to preserve muscle as estrogen declines The "repletion not restriction" reframe — why midlife is the time to add MORE of the right things, not eat less Your action plan for this week: how to get a nutrient panel, what to look at on your labels, and the food-first changes you can start tomorrow morning This is not a thyroid 101. This is not a supplement infomercial. This is the conversation I wish every midlife woman was given the day she started feeling like something was off. You are not broken. You are not crazy. You are not just aging. You may be running on accumulated nutritional debt that nobody told you to repay. That changes today. Use code NATALIEJILL for 20% off your first order at https://needed.sjv.io/c/5810852/1770238/20859 Connect with Julie Sawaya and Needed: Website: thisisneeded.com and use code NATALIEJILL for 20% off your first order Instagram: @needed Backed by 15,000+ practitioners worldwide Connect with Natalie: Instagram: @nataliejillfit Newsletter and resources: nataliejillfitness.com Midlife Conversations is the podcast made for midlife women who refuse to accept "you are just getting older" as an answer APPROXIMATE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — The wake-up call: two trained nutritionists, both in the red zone 06:00 — Where the RDA actually came from (spoiler: 1941, wartime, men) 12:00 — The depletion pipeline: pregnancy to perimenopause as one continuum 18:00 — The forgotten gap between postpartum and perimenopause 25:00 — Choline: the nutrient behind midlife brain fog nobody is talking about 32:00 — Omega-3 and the midlife brain: why most women are not getting close 38:00 — Magnesium forms: why the cheap one in your multivitamin is barely doing anything 42:00 — The supplement trap: what is actually in your generic multivitamin 48:00 — Red flags and green flags on a supplement label 55:00 — Protein in midlife: why the RDA is wrong and what you actually need 62:00 — Repletion, not restriction: what an ideal midlife day of eating looks like 65:00 — Your action plan for this week Thank you to our show sponsors: QUANTUM UPGRADE: Try Quantum Upgrade completely free for 15 days—no credit card required. Use code NATALIEJILL at checkout on https://quantumupgrade.io/start Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. 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298: I'm joined by Dr. Ben Lynch to unpack a topic that's widely misunderstood when it comes to health, anxiety, and pregnancy: methylation and the role of folate vs. folic acid. We talk about MTHFR, why some people feel worse on certain supplements, and how common prenatal advice may not work for everyone. This episode explores how to better support your body, your brain, and your future health by understanding what you're actually taking and why it matters. Topics Discussed: → MTHFR & Methylation → Folic Acid vs. Folate → Vitamins & Anxiety → Prenatal Vitamins → Pregnancy & Baby Development → Brain Health → Lifestyle & Environmental Factors Sponsored By: → Our Place | Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit https://fromourplace.com/REALFOODOLOGY and use code REALFOODOLOGY for 10% off sitewide. With a hundred-day risk-free trial, free shipping and returns, you can experience this game-changing cookware with zero risk. → Just Thrive | Get your health in check and save 20% on your first order at https://justthrivehealth.com/REALFOODOLOGY → Manukora | Head to https://manukora.com/REALFOODOLOGY to save up to 31% plus $25 worth of free gifts with the Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook! → Timeline | Timeline's clinically proven formula is now available at a new, lower price. Mitopure now starts at $79, when you go to https://timeline.com/REALFOODOLOGY → Cowboy Colostrum | Get 25% Off Cowboy Colostrum with code REALFOODOLOGY at https://cowboycolostrum.com/realfoodology Timestamps: → 00:00 Introduction → 01:00 MTHFR & Methylation Explained → 04:00 What Methylation Does in the Body → 08:00 Why Methylated Vitamins Can Cause Anxiety → 12:00 How to Approach Supplements (Bio-Individuality) → 23:00 Methylation, Pregnancy & Baby Development → 35:30 Folic Acid vs Folate → 48:00 Brain Health & Nutrient Deficiency → 1:10:00 Morning Sickness, Histamine & DAO → 1:14:00 Matcha, Green Tea & Folate → 1:16:00 Why Vitamins Can Make You Feel Worse → 1:19:00 Tylenol, Glutathione & Pregnancy Show Links: → realfoodology.com Check Out Ben: → Instagram Check Out Courtney: → LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE → Check Out My new FREE Grocery Guide! → @realfoodology → PEOPLE VS THE POISON - Sign up now! → www.realfoodology.com → My Immune Supplement by 2x4 → Air Dr Air Purifier → AquaTru Water Filter → EWG Tap Water Database Produced By: Drake Peterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Performance Medicine Show, Dr. Rogers answers YOUR health and wellness questions!Subscribe and Save 15% on all DOCTOR ROGERS VITAMINS (Free Shipping on orders over $70): https://docrogersvitamins.com/pages/subscribe-and-save
Tom opens this week's livestream with several announcements:-There will be no webinar next Wednesday; Tom will return in two weeks.-Cowan's Community Corner, also known as C3, is expected to launch soon as an online community space for members to connect, share ideas, and potentially form local in-person groups.-C3 will be included at no extra charge for all New Biology Clinic members, including individual, family, pet, and enrichment memberships.-Tom will be speaking at the Homesteading Life Conference with Doug and Stacy, May 15–16 in Vandalia, Missouri.Homesteading Life Conference with Doug and Stacy link here.-Registration remains open for the New Biology Experience at Polyface Farm in June. Tom shares his excitement about the music, dancing, lectures, food, and connection planned for the event.New Biology Experience link here.Highlights from this session include:-Tom opens with “science news,” commenting on articles about time moving backward in quantum systems, simulated vacuum decay, and a “new state of matter” allegedly inside Uranus.-A discussion on diabetic lower-leg and foot ulcers, reframing them as stagnation and poor metabolic flow rather than “infection,” with comments on debridement, movement, metabolic restoration, and chlorine dioxide compresses.-A broad reflection on MTHFR testing, genetic explanations, cancer metabolism, mitochondria, and skin lesions, arguing that these reductionist models often distract from the whole person and lived reality.-Tom discusses cancer as possibly being better understood as the body's adaptive response to toxicity, rather than simply a genetic or metabolic disease.-A response to the question “was contagion ever real?” where Tom distinguishes between people influencing one another and the idea of contagious disease.-A critique of a reported “gene therapy” case involving restored hearing, emphasizing the importance of asking what was actually done rather than accepting the explanatory story.-Brief comments on eating offal, antibiotics, sterilizing surgical equipment, and chlorinating pools.Tom closes by reminding viewers there will be no webinar next week and to watch for the launch of Cowan's Community Corner.Support the showWebsites:https://drtomcowan.com/https://www.drcowansgarden.com/https://newbiologyclinic.com/https://newbiologycurriculum.com/Instagram: @TalkinTurkeywithTomFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTomCowan/Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/CivTSuEjw6Qp/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzxdc2o0Q_XZIPwo07XCrNg
In 1969, Harvard pathologist Kilmer McCully discovered elevated homocysteine causes arterial damage and heart disease. He was forced out of Harvard. The Framingham Heart Study confirmed him. Then the AHA buried it anyway.CHAPTERS:00:00 - McCully discovery and suppression01:20 - Part 1: What homocysteine does to arteries (6 mechanisms)03:25 - Part 2: The evidence they ignored03:40 - Every 5 umol/L: 20-30% higher CAD risk, 60% stroke risk04:50 - Alzheimers risk +48% (meta-analysis, 7,474 subjects)06:10 - Part 3: Why it was abandoned (VISP, NORVIT, HOPE-2)07:50 - Cochrane: B vitamins reduced stroke 10%08:20 - CSPPT: folic acid reduced stroke 21% to 73%09:10 - Part 4: Your brain on homocysteine09:25 - VITACOG: brain atrophy 30% slower, 53% in high-Hcy group10:05 - PNAS 2013: 7x less hippocampal atrophy11:00 - Part 5: What to do11:10 - Test fasting homocysteine: target under 8-10 umol11:40 - Methylfolate, methylcobalamin, P5PREFERENCES:Homocysteine CVD Risk 2025: PMC12564181VITACOG Trial (PLoS ONE, 2010): PMC2935890VITACOG 2025 Metabolomics: PubMed 40684250Homocysteine Alzheimers Risk: PMC12280720Cochrane B Vitamins Stroke: CochraneCSPPT Folic Acid: ACCJAMA 2010 Meta-Analysis: JAMAHOST: Dr. Robert Lufkin MD | robertlufkinmd.com⭐ Enjoying the show? Please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 30 seconds and helps more people discover the science of health and longevity. Thank you!New episodes every Tuesday & Thursday. Subscribe so you don't miss one.Continue this conversation on Substack: https://robertlufkinmd.substack.comLies I Taught In Medical School — Free sample chapter: https://www.robertlufkinmd.com/lies/Web: https://www.robertlufkinmd.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/robertlufkinmdX: https://x.com/robertlufkinmdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertlufkinmd/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@robertlufkinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlufkinmd/
Send us Fan MailGrab a mold-free iced coffee and let's chat with LILY freaking NICHOLS.If I could get every single person to read one book, it would be Real Food for Fertility by Lily Nichols. It cuts through the cherry-picked “science” and gives you real data—and actually doable ways to support your body with nutrient-dense, real food. This conversation (and her book) is one I wish everyone could hear.If you're trying to conceive—or just want to understand what your body is trying to tell you—this episode is going to connect some dots. Because fertility isn't just about getting pregnant… it's one of the clearest reflections of your overall health.We talk about how your everyday food choices directly impact egg quality, sperm quality, hormones, and long-term wellness. Even if you're not trying for a baby right now, things like low energy, hormone imbalances, or low sperm quality can be early signs that something deeper is off.We also get into MTHFR—what it actually means (without the fear-based hype), how it affects methylation, and why it matters for both fertility and overall health. And we have a very real conversation about modern nutrition… including how “normal” diets and ultra-processed junk food may be quietly working against you.This episode is for anyone who's been told “everything looks normal” but still doesn't feel their best—or anyone who wants to take a more proactive, informed approach to their health.You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to support your body, improve egg and sperm quality, and rethink what “healthy” really means.Real Food For Fertility: https://amzn.to/42DmyMIReal Food For Pregnancy: https://amzn.to/3OBKg8WReal Food For Gestational Diabetes: https://amzn.to/3QQd6mv
In this powerful live session, Dan Purser MD reveals why conventional pediatric medicine often falls short and shares his proven Purser Method® for helping children with autism spectrum traits, severe ADHD, chronic inflammation, and developmental delays.Drawing from over 43 years of clinical experience, Dr. Purser explains:Why genetic testing (especially MTHFR and related SNPs) is the essential first stepHow to use targeted, active-form nutrients instead of generic vitaminsThe role of leucovorin (high-dose folinic acid) and when it makes a real differencePractical ways to reduce toxin load and calm the inflammatory responseSmart strategies around vaccination and detoxification supportDr. Purser emphasizes that kids are not little adults — their developing systems need precise, individualized care. Parents and practitioners will walk away with actionable steps that address root causes rather than just managing symptoms.Whether your child is struggling with speech delays, meltdowns, focus issues, or recurrent health problems, this episode offers real hope through biochemistry done right.Resources Mentioned:Full video replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbn8WrIrAt8Pediatric MTHFR formulas: https://www.PhysicianDesigned.comBook a consultation: http://www.DanPurserMD.comDr. Purser's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00BIKSGVQIf you're a parent tired of “there's nothing more we can do,” or a practitioner looking for better tools, this episode is for you.Timestamps available in the full video.Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with any parent who needs to hear it. The kids deserve better answers.Dan Purser MD – Root Cause Inflammation & Genetic Optimization#MTHFR #Autism #ADHD #ChildrensHealth #Leucovorin #FunctionalMedicine #Pediatrics
Dr. Deb Muth 0:03What are the answers to your child’s chronic allergies, ADHD, or autism?weren’t just in another prescription, but in restoring balance to their body chemistry. Today’s guest has spent nearly two decades uncovering those answers through integrative and biomedical medicine. That’s a mouthful, isn’t it?Helping children heal when nothing else seemed to work.This is the conversation about science, compassion, and changing the future of pediatric care.Welcome back to Let’s Talk Wellness Now. The show where we uncover the root causes of chronic illness, explore regenerative breakthroughs, and empower you with the practical tools to heal. I’m your host, Dr. Deb, your medical detective, and today’s episode is one every patient should hear.My guest is Dr. Anu Usman Singh, Medical Director of True Health Medical Center in Naperville, Illinois, and the owner of Pure Compounding Pharmacy.And for over 17 years, she has been pioneering evidence-based integrative interventions for children with ADD, autism, allergies, and complex gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. She’s not only a practicing physician, she’s a researcher who’s investigated copper-zinc imbalances.metallonine dysfunction, biofilm-related infections, vitamin D in pregnancy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Dr. Usman serves on the executive board of TACA, and is a faculty member at MAPS, training other practitioners in pediatric integrative care. So get ready for a conversation that will open your mind and heart to the possibilities of when medicine truly becomes holistic.If you guys can insert the ad in here, that’d be great.Well, welcome back. I’m so excited to have Dr. Usman with me today. I have known her for, oh my gosh, 15, 17 years, something like that. We’re aging ourselves. Anju 02:32Oh, yeah, when we were in our 20s, right? Dr. Deb Muth 02:35Yes, exactly. So, welcome back, and I am so excited for you to be here, because you have literally helped thousands of families over the years.But I’d love for you to share a little bit about your journey, kind of who you are, what drew you into exploring integrative and biomedical approaches for helping children and families. Anju 02:58I think my journey is similar to a lot of you out there, the audience. I mean, we’re looking to help our families, and our kids, and ourselves, and I was doing my residency at Cook County Hospital, downtown Chicago, in the 80s.And I thought, oh my goodness, if I could take care of the sickest patients, then I can take care of anybody. So I came from Indiana, and I went to Cook County, and my children, my eldest daughter, started having, severe allergies and asthma, really, really at a young age.And I went to, like, my residence, and I went to my attendings, and I said, this baby is wheezing. And they told me, babies don’t have asthma.And I said, she has all the symptoms of asthma. She has asthma. And I remember with, in her crib, I would just nebulize her, you know, and I was like, what is going on?And I figured out that she had a lot of food allergies, and I was nursing her, eating the foods that she was allergic to, and back then, in the 80s, you know, we didn’t have the internet, we didn’t have Whole Foods, and I just…being a doctor, and I didn’t even know what to do, and I felt so hopeless. And I thought, gosh, you know, I’m a doctor, I have these, like, skills, I have… people I can talk to, and I still feel so… it’s so difficult. And then this… my particular daughter, the oldest one, her name is Priya, and she developed severe, asthma, and I couldn’t figure it out. She was in junior high. Every time she would walk into the lunchroom, she would have a severe asthma attack.And I’ll be like, what’s going on? What’s going on? I kept her home over the weekend, she was better. I sent her back to school, she was bad again.And we figured it out that it was other people eating peanuts. Dr. Deb Muth 04:54Severe peanut allergy. Anju 04:56And I went to the school, and I said, she…can you, like, put her somewhere else? Can… they said, oh, no, that’s not fair to other kids and their food. And this was in the 90s. Dr. Deb Muth 05:10Yeah. Anju 05:10And so, I just…You know, my heart goes out to families who are struggling to find answers for their kids, and my daughter Priya, the one I told you about, she ended up passing away from a peanut allergy.And so, I’ve just… Dr. Deb Muth 05:26Yeah. Anju 05:27My heart goes out to parents and my own kids and their illnesses.And so I just started working with families, with kids, andIt just kind of grew from there. Dr. Deb Muth 05:40Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and I think being a mom who went through that yourself, and…was seen but not heard, and turned away from the traditional medical community, you’re forced to start finding answers on your own. And we always feel like we’re on an island by ourselves in the medical world when we’re doing that. Anju 06:01Yeah, I, it was really hard when I found out, you know, about…Integrative medicine, and just different…ideas and approaches to diet and supplements, I thought, how come I wasn’t trained in any of this?And… Dr. Deb Muth 06:21So angry when I learned some of the things that I learned in the beginning. I was like, same thing, like, how did they not teach us this? And then I think, you know, it’s my fault, was I asleep, was I not paying attention, whatever. And then you just realize, like, there’s this whole part of the human body.That they just didn’t teach us. Anju 06:42Yeah, so then I… I, probably like you, we had to learn it on our own. There weren’t, like, classes or any way to learn this stuffAnd I just reached out. There’s a clinic that,I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center? Dr. Deb Muth 07:00No. Anju 07:01Do you know Carl Pfeiffer from the attendees.He has a clinic called the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in New Jersey. It was called the Princeton Brain Bio Center. Dr. Deb Muth 07:12And in the 70s, they did orthomolecular medicine for patients with ADD. Anju 07:18And schizophrenia. Dr. Deb Muth 07:20Mmm… Anju 07:21and depression.And they used to categorize them in 3 categories, and at the time, they called them histopenics, histidelics, and pyrolurics. Dr. Deb Muth 07:31Okay. Anju 07:32Histapenix were low histamine patients.Delix were high histamine patients, and pyrolurics were their own kind of category. We added another category of copper-zinc imbalances, and then we would categorize that population into high histamine, low histamine, pyrolurics, and copper-zinc.Now we talk about under-methylation, over-methylation. Sure. So, under-methylation is the, you know, the high histamine people, they can’t clear the histamine. And the over-methylators are, you know, what we call about low histamine now.And, and then pyrolurics and copper zinc. So…I lost my train of thought, but in the 80s, when I was going through this, in the 90s, I reached out to the Pfeiffer Treatment Center.He’s like, can I calm and just hang out and, like, see what you guys do? Because I need some answers.And I started working there and, started doing research on copper-zinc imbalances, and I did it in children with autism.And that’s how people started coming to me, and I kinda got, like. not famous, but I, you know, the word spread about, okay, we could talk about it, and Dr.Walsh was the, you know, PhD there that did a lot of the research, so we worked together for 8 years. Dr. Deb Muth 09:05Isn’t it crazy to think that we knew about histamine issues way back in the 70s? You know, I got the pleasure of being trained by, environmental medicine doctors. Dr. Wayne Konetsky and Glenn Toth taught me about environmental medicine, and what we called histamine issues that we call it today, mast cell, right? But when I was learning in the early 2000s, it was labeled as chemical sensitivity. And so it was just people that would react to everything, and we really didn’t know why, and they didn’t necessarily have this very specific allergic reaction, but we knew they were reacting, and we would try to treat them, to lower the histamine way back then. And it’s taken all these years, 25 years, to get to a point where we understand mast cell activation now, and histamine issues.And it’s really sad to me that it’s taking this long for us to identify things.And we’ve all got our journey, and I loved back in those days, too, because as I learned, I would call people up and say, hey, I just got a patient from you, and they told me this great story, and I have other people, can I come see what you were doing? And back then, everybody was very open. They were like, yes, please, come, learn. Now everybody’s like, oh, we can’t teach you, we can’t give you our secrets, but…Or pay me $20,000 to come learn with me. But back then, I mean, everybody was just… we were all in the same boat. We were all just trying to learn from each other. Anju 10:36Oh, yeah, oh yeah, and any bit of knowledge you got, you’re like… Dr. Deb Muth 10:41Yes. Anju 10:41God, you know, I learned this piece, and… Dr. Deb Muth 10:43Hmm? Anju 10:44We just kind of built from that. I keep thinking about back then, you know,the under-methylators, over-methylators, copper, zinc, and then I learned about metals.And then, as a physician, I was like, oh, okay, well, there’s mercury in vaccines, there’s aluminum in vaccines, and now I’m seeing these high levels. Dr. Deb Muth 11:04In my patients, now what happens? Anju 11:07And then we started, kind of, trying to get the word out about those things. Dr. Deb Muth 11:13Yeah. Anju 11:13And in 2000, a lot of the people that I knew put out a paper about, you know, mercury. Dr. Deb Muth 11:22And then… Anju 11:22And we all got on the Mercury bandwagon. Dr. Deb Muth 11:25Yes. Anju 11:26And did that for a while, and then we started learning about other things, like mitochondrial issues in chronically ill people, and these chronic infections, like Lyme disease, and so… and then now, you know, understanding mast cell activation, cell danger response. Dr. Deb Muth 11:44On endocrine, and adrenals, and hormones, and… Anju 11:48Yeah. Dr. Deb Muth 11:49biofilms. Anju 11:50Biofilms, I started talking about that in 2007. Dr. Deb Muth 11:54And so then… Anju 11:56It just… it just kind of keeps adding, and keeps adding, and keeps adding, and it’s like…Sometimes you think, how come I didn’t know about this back then? But I feel like it’s a process. Dr. Deb Muth 12:06It definitely is a process, and it’s amazing to seehow many people are researching different things, and they’re all, like, putting a piece of the puzzle together. And I think this is really important for our listeners to understand, is when you see a practitioner and they don’t have all the answers, this is why. It’s very complicated, it’s not black and white. And I’ve had patients over the years say to me, well, why didn’t you say this to me 6 months ago? And the truth of the matter was, I didn’t knowabout it 6 months ago. Like, all of this stuff is just… it’s evolving constantly, and when you’re a practitioner like Dr. Usman and myself, you are learning every single day. Our training has never stopped from the day we stepped into integrated medicine, and you just… you keep learning new things, and sharing new things, and talking to new people, and that’s what expands our knowledge base. Anju 12:57Yeah, the more I learn, the less I feel like I know. Dr. Deb Muth 13:01Yes, me too. Every time I go to a conference, I’m like, how did I not know this? How am I stupid? And I know we shouldn’t say that word and call ourselves that, but sometimes you feel like that. It’s like, how did I not know? Anju 13:14Or you’ll see a patient, and you’ll look at them, and you’re like, how come I didn’t realize this about this particular patient? Dr. Deb Muth 13:20Yes. Anju 13:21Yeah, they present differently, see things differently. I think that’s why it’s good to find a doctor that you trust and that you can work with, because it’s evolving. Dr. Deb Muth 13:31Yes. And, you know, we have those patients that they come, and I get those. I call myself, like, a tertiary care center. Anju 13:38You know, you get those patients that have been everywhere, and seen every doctor, and then they’re like, you’re my last hope, you’re gonna solve all my problems, and…I say to them. We’re a team, like, we’re gonna solve these together, but it takes time for me to unravel this puzzle. Dr. Deb Muth 13:54Excuse me? Anju 13:54And it… and sometimes, you know, there’s a few hits and misses along the way. Dr. Deb Muth 14:00Yup, but if. Anju 14:00If we keep at it, you know, we also say it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Yes. You know, if we keep at it, we can kind of figure it out together. Dr. Deb Muth 14:09Yeah, and a partnership, for sure, because without the feedback of the person you’re working with.understanding, like, we do this, and this happens to you, it’s very complicated as a practitioner to then be able to figure out, what do we do next? I see more and more clients these days, they come in and they just want to ask me within the first 5 minutes of, what am I changing? And I’m like, I have no clue yet. Like, you have to tell me what’s happened since the last time we did something, and then we have to look at labs, and we have to look at this, and we… it’s a synopsis.that we have to look at. You know, it’s not that black and white for us to be able to put the pieces together for them. Anju 14:47I think my most successful patients are the ones who are able to communicate with me.Their ups and downs. Yeah. And they also use their own intuition. Help me guide them. Dr. Deb Muth 15:06Yeah. Anju 15:07So, there are some people that they just hear, you do it, and you tell me.There are people who try to tell me everything. Dr. Deb Muth 15:15Okay. Anju 15:15Say, I want you to do this, do this, do this. Dr. Deb Muth 15:17Yeah, so I was like, okay. Anju 15:19I can do those things, but, you know, like. Dr. Deb Muth 15:21Yep. Anju 15:22think about blah blah. But, like, this… that collaboration.and, intuition. I kind of feel like even thoughI’ve trained allopathically as a traditional medical doctor. I feel like as I learn, I learn that being open and,Letting go of fear. Dr. Deb Muth 15:46Yeah. Anju 15:47And, not trying to jump on every, like, new thing, and being. Dr. Deb Muth 15:53consistent. Anju 15:54and diligent. really helps. Dr. Deb Muth 15:58It helps a ton. We see that, too, you know, the latest…Instagram influencer that’s talking about the latest topic, and all of a sudden, everybody sees themselves in there, and they must have that, but not realizing putting those connections together. It’s like when MTHFR came out, right? We were all so excited that this was going to be the detox gene.And then we learned so much more about genes, and now MTHFR is very popular again, and everyone’s talking about it, but they don’t understand how some of those other genetics fit together. And if you don’t understand that, we’ve all done it, we’ve all made people worse instead of better, sometimes when we’ve given too many methyl groups together, or this supplement without this support before we knew that there was another gene that we had to support for that.And I think it’s really important for people that are listening to us today talk about this, is don’t just jump on the bandwagon. Like, you really want to work with somebody seasoned who understands how all these pieces fit together. Anju 16:57Yeah, and I think that’s what individualized medicine is about.And there is no magic here, a magic bullet.I think that example of MTHFR is really good. Now, President Trump talked about Leukovorin. Dr. Deb Muth 17:14Yes. Anju 17:15in, and, you know, he’ll get up and say something like, leukovorin cures autism.And then the rest of us are like…Did you just say that? Dr. Deb Muth 17:26Yep, he did. Anju 17:30It’s folinic acid, it’s calcium folinic acid, it’s been around a long time. We’ve been using it for 20 years. Dr. Deb Muth 17:37Yeah. Anju 17:38But it does help a subset of people who potentially have what we call cerebral folate deficiency.And some of those people are misdiagnosed as autism. Dr. Deb Muth 17:50Yeah. Anju 17:51So, are you treating autism, or are you treating cerebral folate deficiency?same thing I could say about… I have a lot of cases of kids who recovered from autism.and severe ADHD using chelation type of. Dr. Deb Muth 18:06up. Anju 18:06Approaches, or detox approaches.again, did we treat their ADD and their autism, or did we treat their lead…Toxicity or lead burden, and their symptoms of those things got better. Dr. Deb Muth 18:20Yeah. Anju 18:20So, like, to put a big, like, a label like, oh, ADD on something, or autism on something, I think it does a disserviceTo the individuals, because it’s such a broad issue. Dr. Deb Muth 18:35It is, and I think the diagnosis has gotten to be much more popular these days.And yes, thank goodness we’re getting better diagnostics, but sometimes we’re getting over-diagnosis, or like you said, it may look like one thing, but it could be something else, but because it looks like autism, they’re going to get labeled with autism.And in some respects, that’s good, they can get more services that way, but sometimes we’re missing the actual picture of it. Can you talk a little bit about how autism is different than the cerebral folate deficiency? Anju 19:11Yeah, so there are some people that make an antibody to their folate receptor. Dr. Deb Muth 19:18Hmm. Anju 19:20So, to get folic acid into your cells, there’s a receptor on your cells. Dr. Deb Muth 19:25And then the folate has to bind to it, and then it lets it enter into the cells. Anju 19:30And there’s these receptors that allow folic acid to get into your brain.Now, you and I know when you put folate in your brain.On one end of the folate cycle, you help make more neurotransmitters. You’ll make something called BH4, and that’ll help make serotonin and dopamine, and then norepinephrine and epinephrine. So folate is really important for making your neurotransmitters, folate and B12.On the other end, it’s like, another cycle on the other end of folate is our methylation cycle.And methylation is so important for our RNA and our DNA, and making choline, phosphatoly choline, and making creatine for speech.And helping us with all the precursors for detoxification.So without folate in our brain, we can’t make our neurotransmitters efficiently, we can’t break them down efficiently, and we can’t detox our brain.Imagine what that will do to your brain. Dr. Deb Muth 20:36Yeah, Anju 20:37And you will see symptoms like speech delays, cognitive delays, processing issues, poor attention.All of those things. Excitation, anxiety.All of those, and so if the folate isn’t getting into the brain efficiently, then we’ll have all these symptoms, and we’ll end up with diagnoses like these. Dr. Deb Muth 20:59Yeah, so is there a way that people who are listening to this can request a test to see if they make this antibody to folate, or is it more of a diagnosis of exclusion? Anju 21:14That’s a great question. When I first started doing this, like, 20 years ago, there was, like, a university that was doing this.studies, and it was Dr. Quadros. He was the guy, and we would take samples and send them to his lab, and he would tell us about these blocking and binding. Dr. Deb Muth 21:30folate antibodies. Anju 21:32And if patients had positive blocking or binding folate antibodies, we would follow his protocol. And he’s done papers on patients with severe autism.Where he found these folate antibodies, and then did spinal taps on the kids, and they were associated with this cerebral folate deficiency. the cerebral… spinal fluid.And in his papers, he gave .5 to 2 milligrams per kilogram of calcium folinic acid, which is leukovorin. It’s a vitamin. And over a 6-month to a 12-month period.The majority of those patients improved drastically.Some of them regained speech, and some of them lost their autism diagnosis. Dr. Deb Muth 22:26Because they never truly had autism. Anju 22:29Well, they have autism symptoms, and that’s what autism is, but we call it autisms. Dr. Deb Muth 22:36Yeah. Anju 22:37And so now, like, we need the research to categorize these people. You know, what percentage of autism is cerebral folate deficiency? Yeah. What percentage of autism is, heavy metal. Dr. Deb Muth 22:51Bourbon. Anju 22:52And what percentage of autism is Clostridia overgrowth, or… Dr. Deb Muth 22:57Hmm. Anju 22:57microbiome… Dysfunction, and then there’s overlap. Dr. Deb Muth 23:01Right, yeah, Lyme and mold and viruses. Anju 23:04and infections, and you can see… Dr. Deb Muth 23:07injury from medications and things like that that happen, or birth traumas. Yeah, I mean, it’s not… it’s not as simple as what people think autism is.Why do you think that we’re seeing so much more autism today than when you and I were kids? We didn’t see this that often. I know environment has a lot to do with it, but do you have a couple of things that you suspect are contributing to the rise of autism these days? Anju 23:38Yeah, I mean, that’s a million dollar question. Dr. Deb Muth 23:40Right. Anju 23:41And, just because I work with children, you know it’s not just autism that’s epidemic, and yeah. Dr. Deb Muth 23:49You know that. I mean, it’s… it’s probably… if you add all the epidemics that are happening to children. Anju 23:54Autism still supersedes it.Now it’s 1 in 33s, 1 in 35 boys, I mean, it’s…children. It’s really sad. When I was in med school, it was 1 in 10,000. Dr. Deb Muth 24:10That’s crazy. Anju 24:11What’s causing it? I mean, obviously it’s multifactorial. Dr. Deb Muth 24:15Yeah, 80,000 chemicals in the environment that we never had before. Anju 24:20I, I, I, look, I’ve… 219 million. Dr. Deb Muth 24:26Oh my gosh. Anju 24:27I looked it up today. Dr. Deb Muth 24:29119 million different chemicals in the environment. Wow. Anju 24:33We don’t know how many of those are super toxic. Dr. Deb Muth 24:36Yeah, and we don’t know what they do together. Anju 24:38A lot of them were, like, before, like, grandfathered in and all of that.Yeah, it’s really crazy about the chemicals. So, chemicals… I kind of… feel like…you know, this burden of all this, it’s not just on our children, it’s on our mothers. Dr. Deb Muth 24:56Yes. Anju 24:56oh my gosh, the moms of these children that… And they don’t even realize it, you know, we’re just so happy to be pregnant and have a kid.So I think it really, really starts with that piece. Care, good prenatal care, yeah. Yeah, and not just what we think is prenatal care, taking your prenatal vitamins. Dr. Deb Muth 25:18Yes. Anju 25:19And going to your gynecologist, but what you and I think is prenatal care, you know, before you get pregnant, let’s detox, let’s clean up our diet, let’s get rid of those chemicals, let’s make sure we’re not in a moldy environment.You know, let’s do our due diligence, clean air, clean water, clean food, sunshine. When I did my residency at county, I don’t think I saw the sun for 3 years. Dr. Deb Muth 25:44How?Yeah. Anju 25:46it’s just that intense, and I was pregnant twice, and my eldest hasthe allergies and asthma. Number 2 is type 1 diabetes and mold sensitivities and allergies and asthma. Number 3 has severe chemical sensitivities, mast cell activation,Hormonal issues. Dr. Deb Muth 26:09Yeah. Anju 26:09And… number 4 is my… Golden, baby. Dr. Deb Muth 26:15And those three, you know, those years that you’re there, and you’re not seeing the sunlight, there’s vitamin D deficiency, and we don’t talk about vitamin D that much during pregnancy.I still am appalled that we’re giving folic acid these days during pregnancy instead of folate, but… Anju 26:36Folenic, or methylfolate? Dr. Deb Muth 26:38Yeah, nothing. So, when, when you,discovered vitamin D in pregnancy, and it’s linked to neurodevelopment outcomes. How did you stumble across that? Anju 26:50Well, in… when I started working on Copper Zinc, Dr. Walsh and I would go to the, like, DAN conferences.Yeah. At the time, and it was interesting, because DAM conferences were a collaboration between parents.And practitioners, and researchers. Dr. Deb Muth 27:10Very unique for. Anju 27:11That’s how that new IACC committee is. It’s a collaboration of parents. Dr. Deb Muth 27:17Hmm. Anju 27:18Practitioners, researchers, And individuals with autism. Dr. Deb Muth 27:25Yeah, so for those of you who are listening to us, it’s… we’re talking about the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee that Bobby Kennedy just put together. It’s called IACC, and they are on a mission to try to do the research to figure out what’s causing autism. Anju 27:43Yeah, and not just causing it, like, these people have been living it, most of the people on that committee have been living it, and their whole lives, for some of them.And being able to bring forwardlike the question about vitamin D, we started seeing a lot of patients in Minnesota. Dr. Deb Muth 28:04Mmm. Anju 28:05who were from Somalia. Dr. Deb Muth 28:08Okay. Anju 28:09Who were… it was, like, 1 in 4 families with kids with autism.And the theory was that the vitamin D levels that they get in Somalia versus the vitamin D levels that the moms get in Minnesota. Dr. Deb Muth 28:27Hmm? Anju 28:28Affected the immune system. Dr. Deb Muth 28:31Yeah. Anju 28:32predispose them. So there’s a few papers on that. Dr. Deb Muth 28:36Yeah, that’s a… I mean, it would be a very significant difference, and when you’re thinking about genetically, like, what their culture, who they are as a species.was used to and adapted to with the sunlight and different things from a different region, geographical region, and then they moved to a new geographical region, that can take decades before the body adapts and readjusts.to that new environment. We don’t think about those things in…traditional medicine, and conventional medicine, as most people know it, but we do in functional medicine. Anju 29:14Yeah, so again, the clinicians were bringing this up, like, why am I seeing so many families? Dr. Deb Muth 29:18Yeah. Anju 29:18Then let me go to the… and then in the think tank, the vitamin D researcher said it’s vitamin D. Dr. Deb Muth 29:24Yeah. Anju 29:25And then they started researching it, and it was almost like a backwards… backwards. Dr. Deb Muth 29:31Thank you. You know, they didn’t first… Anju 29:33Think it. Dr. Deb Muth 29:34Think about it, yeah. Anju 29:35Until you start seeing… and that’s why I think that, like.clinicians like you and me, who are… I consider us on the front lines. We’re the front lines. We are seeing… we’re seeing this epidemic unfold. Dr. Deb Muth 29:46Yes. Anju 29:47front of our eyes, we’re seeing, like, the gut issues and the severe inflammation. We’re seeing the autoimmunity, and now they have to study it. Dr. Deb Muth 29:57Yeah. Anju 29:57They have to study this. They really, really, we really need, we really need protocols, we need tools, we need things that you and I have been figuring out anecdotally with our colleagues over the years, and, oh, how do we treat yeast? How do we treat Lyme? How do we treat metal burden?For this podcast today, I wanted to talk about low-level lead exposure, because for me.1 in 3 children have a lead level, above 5. 1 and 3. Dr. Deb Muth 30:31Yeah, that’s very high. Anju 30:33800 million children. Dr. Deb Muth 30:36And let’s clarify this, because the first thing people are going to think of is, what are they eating? They’re not eating lead paint to get this. That is not what’s happening here. They are getting lead from someplace else, and their bodies are not able to detox this. Anju 30:53And the reason I’m bringing this up is because when I was in residency at County in the 90s, I ran a… I worked at a lead clinic. Dr. Deb Muth 31:01And back then. Anju 31:03When we looked… we just diagnosed lead toxicity, the level was 60. Dr. Deb Muth 31:10Their level had to be 60 to diagnose them. Anju 31:13Correct. Dr. Deb Muth 31:13Oh my gosh. Anju 31:14And that’s when we would treat.And back then, there was a study, it’s called the TLC study, where they used DMSA, which is a drug to lower lead.And our goal was to get it from 60 to 20. Dr. Deb Muth 31:33And was the normal range the same back then as it is today? Anju 31:37The normal range has gone from 60 to 40 to 20 to 10 to 5 to 3.5.But you and I know I’m the normal range. Dr. Deb Muth 31:47Yes. Anju 31:47Zero. Dr. Deb Muth 31:48Zero. Anju 31:50So… so again, in my… in the lead clinic, we were given DMSA, and we got the lead from 60 to 20, and the number one thing was to get rid of the lead in the environment. Dr. Deb Muth 32:02Yeah. Anju 32:03But we haven’t evolved since then.Because in that study, It did not improve cognitive abilities. So if you think about what lead does, it causes attention issues, slow processing, it affects hearing, it can cause hyperactivity, it can cause impulsivity, it can cause aggression, it can cause constipation, it can cause hypotonia.So if you think about all these kids with ADD and autism, how many of them have low-level lead exposure from the lead pipes? In Chicago, it’s a big, a big problem. Dr. Deb Muth 32:37Yeah, Milwaukee. Anju 32:38Everybody thinks Flint, Michigan, but Flint, Michigan is not the only place. Dr. Deb Muth 32:42Right. Our infrastructure is so terrible, it has not been updated, and even though you might look in your house and you might see a white PVC or plastic pipe, what’s coming under the ground to the house in the cities is usually still lead. Anju 32:58Right. Right. Dr. Deb Muth 33:00Yeah. Anju 33:01So, I guess the point is, is that…the… the idea of, like, studying this. So, again, they study this, and they say, well, we’re not going to treat low-level lead exposure because it doesn’t improve their cognition.But did they really treat it? Dr. Deb Muth 33:18Right. We got it from 60… we got it from 60 to 20. Right. But when I know, where is the lead hiding? Anju 33:24So high. Look at the bones, it’s gonna be coming out. It’s gonna be coming out, especially during puberty. What happens to some of our kids during puberty? They just go a little wonky. Comes out again during menopause. Dr. Deb Muth 33:38Yes. Anju 33:39I don’t know, male menopause, too. Like, we’re all losing bone mass then, and our lead is coming out, our blood pressure goes up. So, again, these are some of the areas that I think, like, really need some… hard… looks. Dr. Deb Muth 33:53Right, yeah. So, what are you hopeful about this committee? Like, are you hopeful that this committee is going to be able to research some of these big things, and we’re really going to be able to find answers around some of the functional things and the biochemical things that we see, you and I know happen in the body, that might give some standardization and education to practitioners in the future. Anju 34:23Well, I think this committee understands the scope of the issues.And they’re coming from different perspectives, like I mentioned, research. Dr. Deb Muth 34:33Yeah. Anju 34:35really highly qualified MDs. MDs like you and me, who have been on the front lines. moms. Dr. Deb Muth 34:43Yeah. Anju 34:44dads, patience, And so, the strategy would be to get, again, their input, and then…get the places… people in places to do their research. And even make some guidelines and some, like, you know, thoughts about what we want to put out there. Dr. Deb Muth 35:05Yeah. Anju 35:05You know, how do we want to strategize for… Dr. Deb Muth 35:08Prevention. Anju 35:10Like, the pre-pregnancy thing. Dr. Deb Muth 35:12Yeah, I’m really hopeful that this doesn’t become a… political football,And it doesn’t get taken away if the administration changes or whatever, because people need to understand that this kind of researchthis is going to take decades for people to do. Granted, we have AI, and AI can help a little bit and get some things quicker.But trying to figure out all of these nuances to why the body does what it does is not gonna be, like, next week we’re gonna find out that this was the single cause, and I know a lot of people, they’re afraid of the vaccines, and that’s gonna be the sole answer.And that has a piece of it, but it is just a small piece of it for some people larger, but at the end of the day, that’s not what this is about. This isn’t about just labeling one thing that is the cause of autism, because it is not one thing. It is so multifactorial. Anju 36:09And I think that whole cause, I know,A lot of money has gone into. Dr. Deb Muth 36:16Yeah. Anju 36:16looking at that. They’re looking for the gene, right? The gene that causes it, and… Dr. Deb Muth 36:23answer. Anju 36:24They have not… they’ve spent millions of dollars looking for this.And it’s not gonna pan out. It’s not. Dr. Deb Muth 36:33I’m not. Anju 36:34pan out. It’s more complex, like we’re talking about. Dr. Deb Muth 36:38Yeah. Anju 36:38And, I do think that sometimes, you know.Even though, like, politically, it seems like it’s a political topic, but it has zero to do with politics. Dr. Deb Muth 36:52Yeah, exactly. This is our children. This is the future of our country, the world. I mean, America’s not the only place that has kids with autism. I mean, this is the future of humanity. If we don’t figure out what’s injuring our children, there will not be a humanity that you and I have seen. It will be different. And, and this is important, we owe it to the future of our generations, we owe it to our children to figure this out and clean up our environment, and make it safe for everybody. Anju 37:24Yeah. Clean up our air, clean up our water, clean up our food… Dr. Deb Muth 37:29Yeah. Anju 37:30You know, our lifestyle a little bit, but… Dr. Deb Muth 37:32hoodie? Anju 37:33It’s… it’s… it’s everywhere. I travel all over. Dr. Deb Muth 37:36Bye. Anju 37:37Consult with doctors in different countries, in Italy, in India, Bulgaria, Romania… Dr. Deb Muth 37:46Yeah. And. Anju 37:48we’re going to Australia for med maps to treat doctors in, in April. And it’s a problem everywhere. Dr. Deb Muth 38:00Yeah. Anju 38:01really big problem, and it affects everybody. Even if you don’t have a child with autism or a grandchild with autism, it’s still affecting families, becauseI kind of think of ADD as being on the spectrum, in the sense thatI think the same kind of positive issues that lead to the autism are causing the ADD, just to… you know, your genetics are playing a little bit of a different role, whatever… whatever protection you have is a bit more there, but we’re seeing kind of, like, similar metabolic… issues in our ADD population. Dr. Deb Muth 38:43Yeah. Yeah, there’s so many different levels of this, and it does affect everyone. Like, I think everybody knows… a family or someone in their classroom or their school or their community that’s affected by, definitely, ADHD, Asperger’s, autism, all of those things, whether you’re high functioning or not functioning or whatever.everything is affected. The school system is affected, your social circles are affected, your families are affected.the healthcare is affected. I mean, everything is affected. We owe it to our families and our communities to help people try to figure this out. Anju 39:22Yeah, and I think even if it’s not ADD, or ADHD, or autism we’re talking about, or even OCD, anxiety, depression, I mean, you know… Dr. Deb Muth 39:33Candace? Anju 39:34Any kind of chronic illness that people are dealing with has underpinnings of these kinds of, you know, issues. Dr. Deb Muth 39:43Yeah. Anju 39:44Any autoimmune issue? That’s great. Dr. Deb Muth 39:48inflammatory syndrome that we’re seeing these days, I mean, the pants-pandas piece, the biofilms, the strep, I mean, our environment is just so laden with infections and biofilms, and And, you know, when you and I first were learning about this, we never thought anything could cross the blood-brain barrier, right? It was pristine, there’s nothing getting in there unless you could drive it in there, and now we know that’s different, and now we’re seeing bugs in the brains of people who have had Alzheimer’s disease and dementia because they’ve donated their brains for research, and we can see what’s crossing the blood-brain barrier, and it’s really scary. Anju 40:24Yeah, yeah. There’s a lot of things we don’t know. Remember when we just found out that they… the brain had a lymphatic system? Dr. Deb Muth 40:33And that wasn’t About, what, 5, 6 years ago? 7 years ago, maybe? Yeah, not that long ago. Anju 40:38You’d be like, why wouldn’t the brain have a lymphatic system? Dr. Deb Muth 40:41Yeah! Yep. Anju 40:44Yeah, so things get in and out. Dr. Deb Muth 40:46They, they definitely. Anju 40:47You know, they get in easier than they get out, I think. Dr. Deb Muth 40:50I agree, I think they do, for sure, for sure. You know, when you’re talking to a family who’s undergoing issues like this, what’s the role, do you feel, in personalized nutrition to help them make things better? Anju 41:10I kind of go through, like, a little bit of a start here, start there, and then do this. I always start, number one, I say, okay, you gotta clean up your environment, because… We gotta do that. Dr. Deb Muth 41:24But that’s a… Anju 41:24process. And then number 2 for me is cleaning up the diet. And then, when you say personalized nutrition. To me, figuring out what is a good diet for the individual. Dr. Deb Muth 41:38Makes it a little bit difficult. Yeah. Anju 41:41I mean, there is, like, healthy eating concepts, where, you know, eat upside-down food pyramid kind of concept, I guess, is the new one, but whole foods, whole grains, organic as much as possible, especially for animal products, good fats, avoiding, you know, hydrogenated oils, and those seed oils, and… Just some basics, and then individualizing for my patients, a lot of people with any kind of autoimmune condition, and we kind of put autism in that neuroimmune, autoimmune, inflammatory That, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free kind of go there, like, as a given. If there’s a lot of gut issues, a lot of our folks have oxalate issues. And then we have to sometimes do low or limited oxalate diets. Many of my patients can’t convert glutamate to GABA efficiently. Dr. Deb Muth 42:44Yeah. So, high glutamates associated with OCD, and kind of looping or repetitive behaviors. Anju 42:51So, low-glutamate diets. And then some of my patients have SIBO, and then we do the low FODMAPs diet, and then some of my patients have messel, and we’ll do the fail-safe kind of concept with the fail-safe diet, so nutrition can get a little bit complex for certain people, but there are some basics, and then there are some, like, more of… Individual, kind of, diet approaches. And then there’s supplementation. There’s some things that I call foundational. For me, certain things most people need that have a chronic illness. Dr. Deb Muth 43:26Yeah. Anju 43:26Vitamin D3 is one of those. Omega-3s are another one for most. And then, because I did a lot of research on copper, zinc, I think 3 mineral… 4 minerals. I feel like people underdo minerals. They’re so important. Every single enzyme has a mineral cofactor, so… zinc is really important for my population with autism and ADD. 99% of them had high copper or low zinc in. Dr. Deb Muth 43:58Wow. Anju 43:59Over 400 patients that we tested. Dr. Deb Muth 44:01Wow. Anju 44:03And, magnesium.So, zinc, magnesium, and then the other two minerals I really like are selenium for glutathione. and molybdenum for sulfation, and glycolysis. So… So those are kind of my foundational pieces, and then I like to work on the gut next. So, from a nutritional perspective, prebiotics are my new favorite. Dr. Deb Muth 44:29Yeah, we go in and out with prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics. Anju 44:34Yeah, exactly, symbiotics. Dr. Deb Muth 44:36Yes, exactly, exactly. Anju 44:38demos, and… Dr. Deb Muth 44:40Yeah. Anju 44:40So yeah, biofilm busting, and all of that, so… And then I go into my other nitty-gritty stuff, like you probably do. Dr. Deb Muth 44:47individualized, right? So, you created, True Healing Nature, a supplement line, a supplement company, correct? Anju 44:56Yeah, True Hing Naturals. Dr. Deb Muth 44:58Truly Naturals, okay. Anju 44:59True, he is hard. Dr. Deb Muth 45:01Oats! Anju 45:01True! Dr. Deb Muth 45:01Healing natural. Got it, sorry about that. Tell us a little bit about what made you decide to create a supplement company. Was it because you couldn’t find formulations that you wanted? Couldn’t find clean products? That’s a big problem for people, for sure. Anju 45:19Yeah, a little bit of both. I told you that my kids were really sensitive, they had a lot. Dr. Deb Muth 45:23I know. Anju 45:24And when I would even try to give them things like ibuprofen. Dr. Deb Muth 45:28or Benadryl. Anju 45:30For allergies, they couldn’t tolerate the products that were over-the-counter. Dr. Deb Muth 45:35Yeah. Anju 45:35So, in 2007, I opened a compounding pharmacy so I could make things clean for them. Dr. Deb Muth 45:42Yeah. Anju 45:43And I thought it was so valuable. And so then I started seeing, like, certain issues with my patient population, for instance, say, mitochondrial issues. So, I would compound a mito cocktail. in my pharmacy. And then I had True Healing Naturals manufacture it, so I didn’t have to have patients get it compounded. Dr. Deb Muth 46:08Got it. Anju 46:09So that particular product’s called Mito Rescue. Okay. But then, I started… I do a lot of oats testing. Organic acid urine tests. Dr. Deb Muth 46:19Yeah. Anju 46:20But there’s, like, a marker on there for, oxalates, and I saw a lot of patients with oxalates, and oxalates inhibit some… an enzyme called, pyruvate decarboxylase. And that basically means you can’t take your carbs and turn them into energy. Dr. Deb Muth 46:38Okay. Anju 46:39So, if I saw this pattern with high oxalates and high pyruvic acid, I knew that that enzyme wasn’t working very well, and that enzyme is B1, molybdenum, and biotin dependent. So, I started compounding doses of that. And then I turned that into a product called Motor Connect, because high doses of biotin help with connectivity in the cerebellum. Dr. Deb Muth 47:08Got it. So, I did come… kind of start with the compounding pharmacy, try it, use it, and then turn it into. Anju 47:17products, and I have one for copper-zinc imbalances called True Minerals. Dr. Deb Muth 47:21Yeah, to fix the problems that were not commercially available. Could you talk a little bit for people who don’t understand what a compounding pharmacy is? Anju 47:32So, when you guys go to a pharmacy, you, you know, you send a prescription, and it’s already, it’s manufactured, and you get it. Well, a compounding pharmacy actually makes that for you. So they get the raw ingredients, and then they make that prescription. So it’s still prescription-based. But, for instance, say, I want Nystatin. And I go to Walgreens or CVS, and the nystatin there is a liquid, and it has yellow dyes and sugar. Dr. Deb Muth 48:02Yep. Or it’s a title, and it’s red. Anju 48:04or it’s bread, and a tablet, and I, like, oh, I want to treat the yeast, but I don’t want to use this. So I sent my nystatin prescription to a compounding pharmacy, and it’s Nystatin. That’s what you got. Yep. Dr. Deb Muth 48:17disappear. Anju 48:18So, pure compounding pharmacy, it’s pure, it’s pure stuff. Especially for our mast cell people. They’re so sensitive, and, you know, my kids are all mast cell, and so I just find that excipients, some people will say, oh, this doesn’t work, and I said, it’s probably the excipient that’s stimulating your mast cell activation. So, yeah. So, compounding pharmacies, You know, with all the big, kind of. conglomerates and big companies, they’ve become… they used to be, like, mom-and-pop kind of places. And my pharmacy is like that. It’s just… it’s… it’s a few of us, and we… we do it, and it’s nothing big or fancy, but we get the job done. So, we compound things like methylcobalamin injections, hydroxycobalamin, low-dose naltrexone. Different things for chelation. So, it’s nice. I love having it. Dr. Deb Muth 49:11Yeah, the compounding pharmacies really have made a huge difference for people who are sensitive. You know, so many ingredients are contaminated with corn and gluten and soy and dairy and all the big things that we want to stay away from, especially if we’re trying to treat the immune system. And even if the manufacturer says that’s not in our product. it’s contaminated, usually, because they’re usually preparing it in a facility that has those things floating around. Right. And for people who are really sensitive, that’s going to create some issues. Anju 49:45Yeah, people who are sensitive are sensitive to parts per trillion. Dr. Deb Muth 49:48Yeah. Anju 49:49I found that with my daughter with chemical sensitivity. You don’t have to see it, or you don’t have to smell it, but they could react to it. Dr. Deb Muth 49:55Yeah. And, a lot of these, like. Anju 49:58These different, substances, for instance, like enzymes, even the natural enzymes. Dr. Deb Muth 50:03They’re cultured in Aspergillus. Anju 50:07And so they’re extracted from mold. Dr. Deb Muth 50:10Yeah. Anju 50:11And so the really mold-sensitive people will maybe take a digestive enzyme, and they’ll have a reaction, and they’ll not understand why. Yeah. But it’s not because of the enzyme, it’s because of where it’s coming from. Dr. Deb Muth 50:22Yeah, where it’s cultured from. And if you have mold toxicity and mold sensitivity, and we’re looking at your mold test, wondering why are you getting a hit while we’re trying to clear it out, sometimes we forget that those products, and a variety of products that we used are cultured from molds. Yeah. Anju 50:40Yeah, yeah. It’s hard for the laypeople to understand all. Dr. Deb Muth 50:45You know. Anju 50:45of these pieces, but I think that… It used to be, like, the insurance companies would cover prescriptions from compounding pharmacies, but over the years, the lobbying and all of that has gotten so intense where, you know, a lot of that ends up out of pocket, but it’s really… it doesn’t really get that much more expensive than a copay would be. Dr. Deb Muth 51:05Right, right. Anju 51:06People just don’t know about it, yeah. Dr. Deb Muth 51:08Yeah, absolutely. So, you’ve been doing this now for more than 17 years, and you’ve made some remarkable progress with your patients. Can you share some success stories that still inspire you to do what you do every day? Anju 51:27I don’t know about you, but, like, when you first start, I think, God puts you… God puts all those really gray cases in front of you, because you’re like, whoa! Dr. Deb Muth 51:37Yes, and maybe… Anju 51:38I gave this patient methylcobalamin, and they started talking. Yeah. So methyl B12 back in the day was huge. you know, Dr. Nebrander’s protocol, and we would use that, and we would get speech, and… I mean, I’ve… it’s just… there’s hundreds of cases. There’s hundreds of cases, and same with Leukovorin now. Not for everybody, but when it really works, it’s really, really decent. Dr. Deb Muth 52:07Yeah, and worth a try, you know, if… if we suspect that’s what’s going on, these things are worth a try, because sometimes you just never know what’s going to be the key that unlocks the answer for them. Anju 52:19Yeah, but I think, you know, like, I can say… chelation, or… you know, I can, like, throw out a bunch of stuff. Dr. Deb Muth 52:26Okay. Anju 52:27In terms of, like, I’ve… I… I have those families, and I have those kids who are just… they’re just amazing, and they’re in college, and having jobs, and having kids, and… Dr. Deb Muth 52:38Yeah. Anju 52:38you know, all of that, but I think, you know, the ones that really strike me are the ones that I have to work really hard to get. Dr. Deb Muth 52:44And then we’. Anju 52:45they go, it’s not like, oh, I just did the diet, I’m cured, or I did this, and I’m better, or… Right. And I have those cases where the parents come to me and they say, I never thought my kid would Be going to college. And I never thought we would be here. So, those are the ones that really, like, when I get the little notes, or the, like, the college or the high school graduation pictures, and they… and some of them, you know, you lose touch with because they don’t need me anymore. Dr. Deb Muth 53:19Yeah. Anju 53:20And then you hear about it later. And then, I think the ones that don’t get better are the ones that, like, sit with me the most They just sit with me, and we’ve had this population of children with severe apraxia. So, apraxia is a motor planning issue, but if you saw these patients, you would think that they were… mentally deficient. Dr. Deb Muth 53:44Hmm. Anju 53:45Because they can’t talk. Dr. Deb Muth 53:46Yeah. Anju 53:47They’re the classic person that you would see that looks autistic. You know, running around, excited, verbal stimming, no speech. Dr. Deb Muth 53:57Hmm. Anju 53:58And that group of patients are incredibly Brilliant. And we are just finding out about how smart they are. There’s a book called Underestimated by J.B. Hanley and his son Jamie. JV has all the resources in the world. He used to put those ads in the New York Times about autism and vaccines. He could take his kid anywhere and do any treatment, and still, we… Blocked. Locked. Couldn’t get through. Couldn’t get through. And they started, spelling. To communicate, and this speller’s method, and it just opened a door. And it opened a door for so many of my patients who are metabolically challenged, so we do help them metabolically. Getting that ability to communicate. Some of them never got high school diplomas, and they went back to get their high school diplomas so they could go to college. Dr. Deb Muth 54:56Oh, wow, that’s amazing stories. Anju 54:59Yeah, and Elizabeth Bonker is one of those spellers, and she… she was a valedictorian in her high school, college. And she did a valedictorian speech that went. Viral, and she’s one of the people on that committee. Dr. Deb Muth 55:13That’s awesome. Anju 55:14He’s non-speaking. She… she can’t not speak. Dr. Deb Muth 55:20Wow. Anju 55:21But they asked her to be on this committee. Dr. Deb Muth 55:24That’s fantastic. Anju 55:26Huge. Dr. Deb Muth 55:27That’s huge. It is huge. There’s a way she can communicate, she just can’t verbalize the way you and I verbalize. Anju 55:34She’s brilliant. I mean, people on that committee, the, the individuals with autism on that committee, I know they’re brilliant people. Wow. But if you… if… If people saw them, they wouldn’t see that. Dr. Deb Muth 55:47Right. Anju 55:47So, I guess, for me, it’s like seeing the brilliance, seeing the competence in individuals, and as a practitioner, just trying to optimize it. But I know, like, the neurodiversity people say, okay, you know. We’re fine, and it’s like, yes, you are fine, you’re fine, and it’s okay. Whatever it is, it’s okay. But if you’re struggling metabolically, and we can help you feel better. What’s… what’s the harm in that? Dr. Deb Muth 56:13Right, let’s do that. Yeah. So you’re also part of something called MAPS, and you’re educating doctors worldwide. Tell us a little bit about MAPS, and how do you see the integrative pediatrics evolving in the next decade as a result of what we’re learning today? Anju 56:36I think we’re at a crossroads, and Maps is kind of in the middle of that crossroads. It used to be called Dan. Dr. Deb Muth 56:47Okay. Anju 56:47Autism Now. Dr. Deb Muth 56:48Yeah. Anju 56:49And then they kind of dissolved Dan and turned it into MedMaps. And MedMaps is Medical Academy for Pediatrics and Special Needs. So it’s not just special needs, it’s pediatrics. as well.So it’s kind of like the functional medicine for peds. And our goal is to train an army of clinicians to be the frontline. And how medicine should be, and how people should be trained. We should train them to do these types of things from the beginning. Because now it’s backwards. Dr. Deb Muth 57:28Right. Anju 57:30they come see us when nobody else can help them. But, so, we have some good leadership, and then… We are just trying to get people trained so that they understand that this is the future. Dr. Deb Muth 57:50If there’s a practitioner that’s listening to this, how do they get involved in MAPS? Anju 57:55They could come to a conference. Dr. Deb Muth 57:57Okay. Anju 57:58And the website is medmaps.org. And there’s 2 conferences a year. And we have scholarships, and we want people to come, so contact You know, the executive director, and… We just want people to come, share… their experiences, learn about functional medicine, it’s evidence-based, we try to… it’s really scientific, you know, we talk a lot of science. Dr. Deb Muth 58:25Oh yeah, a lot of science. Anju 58:26We talk a lot of science, and and so hopefully we can move all of this forward. Baster. Dr. Deb Muth 58:35I think the greatest thing, when you get into the functional medicine integrative space like this, and MAPS, and some of the other environmental academies and things like that. A lot of people might think it’s not science-based, and I’m always amazed at how much science we have, and it’s right, it’s all the things that you and I learned in biochem class, and chem class, and organic chem, and we were like, oh, let’s just learn this to be done with it. And then you get back, and you start doing integrated medicine, and you realize, like, all of that biochemistry stuff is what we needed to truly understand to fix people these These days, and you go back and you have to learn that in an intense version of it. Anju 59:18I felt like I finally understood the Krebs cycle, when I learned how it made metabolic stents, instead of just memorizing these cycles for… For the… Dr. Deb Muth 59:30Right? Like, they, like. Anju 59:32They just make sense to me. Dr. Deb Muth 59:34Yeah. Anju 59:35And I think that’s so important to understand, that all of this has science behind it, and it’s there, and the research is there. Dr. Deb Muth 59:46It’s just us having to learn how to utilize it, and recognize that not every person is going to be straightforward, and what we do for one might not work for another. There’s… It’s not as easy as prescribing a prescription and letting the person walk out the door in 10 minutes. That’s not what this is about at all. Anju 01:00:05No, and at MedMaps as well, they have a call for abstracts, and so we’re always looking for research, experience, so if any of the clinicians out there have, you know, things they want to share. then send an abstract to Maps. What a great blonde. I think, one of my doctor friends is doing an abstract on research that was done on sensory qigong massage. Dr. Deb Muth 01:00:34Oh. Anju 01:00:34And it helped with speech, and the theory was that, we were all thinking of the sensory system in the brain, the sensory system. In the periphery being affected neurologically, and how to turn that back on. So, it was… it’s… Dr. Deb Muth 01:00:51That’s neat. Anju 01:00:51Again, with the research, and with the science behind it, and with, like, clinical trials, and all of that. Dr. Deb Muth 01:00:58That’s awesome, I love that.For parents that are just starting in this journey, what would you recommend be their first one or two steps? Anju 01:01:10Educate, educate, educate? How do you get educated? I do think that, TakaNow.org is a good place for, like, a biomedical approach, or this functional approach for autism. It’s the Autism Community in Action. MedMaps is doing a parent conference in March. Dr. Deb Muth 01:01:31Oh, awesome. They usually do that around, Memorial Day, right? Anju 01:01:36They’ll do it around Labor Day in September. Dr. Deb Muth01:01:40Labor Day in September, okay. Anju 01:01:42Yeah, and then mid-March. Dr. Deb Muth 01:01:44Okay. Anju 01:01:45Yeah. And they hadn’t done a parent conference before, but we had parents that wanted to come to the conferences, and it was just for clinicians before. Dr. Deb Muth 01:01:54Got it. Is it Autism One that does theirs around Memorial Day? Anju 01:01:59Oh yeah, they don’t exist anymore. Dr. Deb Muth 01:02:01Don’t, really. Anju 01:02:03conferences. There was. Dr. Deb Muth 01:02:06NAA, the National Autism Association. Anju 01:02:09They don’t do a lot of parent conferences in functional medicine either, so there’s a few left. Documenting Hope. That’s another really nice one. Oh, that’s great. Dr. Deb Muth 01:02:21So, what last words do you want to leave with our listeners? Anju 01:02:29You know, that’s… people always ask that at the end of these… I, I do feel that, Listen to your heart, you know, follow your intuition. Dr. Deb Muth 01:02:40I’ll let that guide you. Anju 01:02:42There’s a lot of information, sometimes it gets to be too much information. It’s hard to process everything, try not to make impulsive decisions about things. And… If you have a child with special needs, or if you have a grandchild with, issues. Presume competence. There’s a lot there. Dr. Deb Muth 01:03:04Yeah. Anju 01:03:05Especially some of these kids with behavior issues. I don’t know how many patients of mine are… Put on psychotropic meds. Metabolic issues, and, you know… It’s like, a lot of them have pain, like headache, abdominal pain, and inflammation, and they’re treating them with psych meds. Dr. Deb Muth 01:03:25Yeah. That’s sad, isn’t it? Anju 01:03:28I think, you know, try to look for the underlying cause. Not just band-aid things. Dr. Deb Muth 01:03:34Where can listeners, learn more about your work and what you do? Anju 01:03:40Oh, that’s tough. I don’t have a book. One of these days. Dr. Deb Muth 01:03:48Yes! Anju 01:03:49Yes, one of these days. I think, you know, med maps, we have a… if they’re clinicians. Dr. Deb Muth 01:03:55Hmm? Anju 01:03:56I have lectured a lot. For, for, communities like Taka, so there’s just a lot of… lectures that I’ve given online. Dr. Deb Muth 01:04:09Awesome. Well, thank you for taking your time with us today. It’s been a great conversation with you. Anju 01:04:15Thank you so much for inviting me, Debra. I’m honored to be here, and thank you for doing the work that you do to put Put this out there for people, because it’s really important information. Dr. Deb Muth 01:04:27Thank you. Thank you for joining me today on Let’s Talk Wellness Now. Today’s discussion with Dr. Usman reminds us that there’s always more we can do. We can look deeper into biology, environment, and lifestyle. to heal the next generation. If this episode inspired you, please share it with a parent or a practitioner who believes every child deserves a chance to thrive. And to learn more about Dr. Usman, you can visit TrueHealthMedical.com or TrueHealingnaturals.com. And if you’re ready to explore your own root cause healing, visit us at Serenityhealthcarecenter.com. You can also follow me on Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Let’s Talk Wellness now. Until next time. I’m Dr. Deb, reminding you to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. Be well, and I’ll see you soon.The post Episode 262 – The Root Cause of ADHD & Autism: Beyond the Diagnosis with Dr. Anju Usman Singh first appeared on Let's Talk Wellness Now.
In this episode of Hope Natural Health, Dr. Erin Ellis is joined by Dr. Alicia Newsome, a functional medicine expert and bestselling author, to pull back the curtain on hormone imbalances and the "burnout culture" facing high-achieving women. Dr. Alicia shares her personal journey from struggling with extreme exhaustion and "normal" lab results to founding the Body Wellness Institute. Together, they discuss the limitations of conventional medicine and how advanced diagnostic testing can provide the clarity women need to finally feel like themselves again. In this episode, you will learn: Why standard blood work often fails to catch the root cause of fatigue and hormone issues, and what comprehensive functional testing actually looks like. How markers like MTHFR and methylation SNPs impact your ability to detoxify estrogen and manage your energy. Why your digestive health is the "second brain" and how it dictates your mood, immune system, and metabolic health. Strategies for executive-level women and busy moms to reclaim their time and use the power of "No" as a tool for adrenal recovery. A sneak peek into Dr. Alicia's upcoming book and why rest is a physiological necessity, not a luxury. Why starting your day with warm lemon water can support your liver, digestion, and lymphatic system. Connect with Dr. Alicia Newsome: Website: www.dralicianewsome.com Instagram: @dr.alicianewsome LinkedIn: Dr. Alicia Newsome Book: Worthy of Rest For more on Dr. Erin: Join The Hope Circle Community: https://hormonehealingproject.drerinellis.com/communities/groups/the-hope-circle/home?invite=69120d498b7e3f60397656b8 Work with Dr. Erin here: https://p.bttr.to/3E88ps4 Buy Dr. Erin's Supplements here: https://drerinellis.com/shop Get the Period Productivity Planner here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBYBRT5Q?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Download the FREE Menstrual Cycle Nutrition Guide here: https://detox.drerinellis.com/ Watch The Free Video "7 Hormones Affecting Your Weight Loss Goals" here: https://weightloss.drerinellis.com/ Let's Be Friends: Follow Dr. Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.erinellis/ Follow Dr. Erin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drerinellisnmd Follow Dr. Erin on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.erinellis?lang=en Join the Free Hope Circle Community: https://hormonehealingproject.drerinellis.com/communities/groups/the-hope-circle/home?invite=69120d498b7e3f60397656b8 Bookmark Dr. Erin's Website: www.drerinellis.com Subscribe to Hope Natural Health on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChHYVmNEu5tKu91EATHhEiA Follow Hope Natural Health on FB: https://www.facebook.com/hopenaturalhealth Sign up for Newsletters here: https://booking.hopenaturalhealth.com/widget/form/VUubL7MNYELduwQL8ssI
Dr. Panzner explains the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacologist, and why he treats food, supplements, and medications all as "drugs" — anything that alters physiology. He introduces the iceberg effect: no supplement does just one thing, and the unlisted mechanisms beneath the label are often what's driving anxiety, palpitations, low blood pressure, anemia, or that vague "off" feeling people can't trace back to their stack. The conversation digs into real client cases — a vitamin C product spiking adrenaline because of concentrated quercetin, polyphenol stacks dropping blood pressure low enough to make people pass out in hot showers, and B-vitamin reactions tied to MTHFR variants. Tyler and the Hindmarshes unpack why genetics, lab testing, and precision supplementation matter far more than influencer-driven trends, and why the older demographic is especially primed to be taken advantage of by polished marketing teams and 20-second viral sound bites. They close on what BS-free supplementation actually looks like: fewer products, the right products, and a blueprint built around the individual rather than the algorithm. --- Check out Aurmina — a highly rated natural water purification solution made from ionic minerals sourced from volcanic rock.
KC is kind enough to share her story about MTHFR and POTs, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, MTRR, and hypothyroid. This was a long interview, so it has been broken up into two podcast episodes. 00:49 - Meet KC00:37 - MTRR and Vitamin B1201:48 - MTHFR, MTRR, and homocysteine levels02:31 - Red flags for vitamin B12 deficiency04:26 - Hypothyroid05:30 - Naturopathic medicine08:26 - Stressors and health09:28 - Empaths and media11:28 - If K.C. can do it, you can too12:44 - What if screen time was converted to self-care timeThanks so much for watching! I have so many other resources for you. Here is the full-length version of this interview: https://youtu.be/fveJ32ZO-OEAnd here is the first podcast episode from KC: https://youtu.be/WC7VIYzbJQo?si=1an_1A6zVTbsHqHxCheck out the website first for lots of FREE stuff:WEBSITE: https://tohealthwiththat.com/ Order Dr. Amy's book MTHFR Easy: Get Healthy For Life: https://amzn.to/47tT31YPaperback and audiobook versions are coming soon.This story was graciously shared with permission to post on the podcast, YouTube, and in print, if that happens in the future.
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:
60 percent of people listening right now carry a genetic mutation — and most have no idea. It could be behind your anxiety, your fatigue, your migraines, your depression. And nobody ever thought to check. The gene has been known since the 1990s. It just never made it out of the research lab and into your doctor's office. Until now. MTHFR is an enzyme your body needs to process your body's master switch for detox, DNA repair, and mood regulation. Between 40 and 60 percent of people carry at least one variant. About 15 percent carry two, which can slash enzyme function by up to 70 percent. The symptom list reads like modern life: brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, migraines, insomnia, IBS, and slow recovery. For women, add recurrent miscarriage, infertility, and postpartum depression to that list. Our guest, Jamie Hope, is the founder of Methyl-Life®, a company dedicated to providing targeted nutritional solutions for individuals with genetic health challenges. Jamie is passionate about guiding individuals through the often-confusing landscape of genetics and health, empowering them to improve their well-being with effective solutions. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. What the MTHFR gene is 2. The number of people who have this gene mutation 3. Signs you have the MTHFR gene 4. How to test for the MTHFR gene 5. How MTHFR mutations influence mood, stress response, and energy 6. The Methyl-Life® MTHFR Supplements 7. The role of methylated and bioactive nutrients in supporting neurotransmitters 8. Key differences between standard vs. bioactive forms of B vitamins and folate 9. Practical tips for lifestyle and supplement strategies to support emotional health è You can learn about Jamie's Methylated solutions at: https://methyl-life.com/. è You can find the links in the show notes at https://HealthyHomeHacks.com
We take on four stubborn myths in modern obstetrics and follow the evidence instead of the vibes, from thrombophilia testing to bed rest to seizure prophylaxis. We also spotlight a patient-empowering insulin strategy that may improve gestational diabetes outcomes faster than usual care. • distinguishing recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation from venous thromboembolism testing • focusing thrombophilia workups on antiphospholipid antibody syndrome when criteria are met • explaining why MTHFR variants and PAI-1 polymorphisms do not belong in routine panels • unpacking how social media and narrative fallacies keep low-value tests alive • reviewing the AWARE trial and why activity restriction lacks benefit and carries harms • clarifying reasonable pregnancy activity modifications versus false labor prevention claims • assessing late preterm antenatal corticosteroids for twins and the hypoglycemia signal • discussing inertia of practice and why weak evidence becomes hard to undo • breaking down patient-led insulin titration for gestational diabetes and why it may reduce macrosomia • evaluating laboring down and long-term pelvic floor outcomes plus statistical pitfalls • answering a listener question on Keppra alternatives to magnesium for preeclampsia seizures Be sure to check out thinking about obgyn.com for more information, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.0:00 Welcome And What We're Reviewing0:28 Thrombophilia Testing After Miscarriage3:51 What Belongs In A VTE Panel5:55 MTHFR And PAI1 Myth Busting13:36 Activity Restriction And The AWARE Trial23:27 Practical Counseling Without False Promises27:08 Late Preterm Steroids For Twins32:53 Patient-Led Insulin Titration In GDM38:38 Laboring Down And Pelvic Floor Outcomes47:51 Keppra Versus Magnesium For Preeclampsia1:00:25 Wrap Up And Where To FollowFollow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.
How-to lead your family in their health journey from a husband who's doing it. From the basics of blood work to peptides or even testing for the MTHFR gene mutation, Nate Graville, founder of Geviti helps you get ahead of disease before it starts.Thank you to our sponsors!TOOTH PILLOW: Use code "ALEXCLARK" for a free video review upgradeA'DEL NATURAL COSMETICS: Use code "ALEX" for 25% off first time ordersBLDG ACTIVE SKIN REPAIR: Use code “ALEX” for 20% off your orderBRANCH BASICS: Use code "ALEX15" for 15% off Starter KitsCROWDHEALTH: Use code “CULTURE” to get your first three months for only $99/monthWILD PASTURES: Get an exclusive discount on your next orderOur Guest:@gogeviti's Nate GravilleNate's Links:GEVITI WEBSITE Use code "ALEX" to get 20% offGoGeviti IGNate's IGNate's XFOLLOW ALEX:Instagram | @realalexclarkInstagram | @cultureapothecaryFacebook | @realalexclarkX | @yoalexrapzYouTube | @RealAlexClarkSpotify | Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark Apple Podcast | Culture Apothecary with Alex ClarkSubscribe to ‘Culture Apothecary' on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes drop 6pm PST/ 9pm EST every Monday and Thursday.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional for any health-related questions or decisions.
Dr. Tony Ebel delivers a long-awaited, deeply personal, and scientifically complete breakdown of MTHFR and methylation — and why the way most people are talking about it is leaving families more scared and more stuck than ever. Drawing from his background in molecular biology, his time as a farm kid watching the rise of GMO agriculture, and a pivotal encounter with Dr. Bruce Lipton's epigenetics work in chiropractic school, Dr. Tony reframes MTHFR not as a life sentence, but as one piece of a much bigger puzzle. The real upstream factor most experts are missing? The nervous system. This episode gives parents the full, complete story — the science, the mindset, and a clear action plan — so they can stop feeling broken and start building genuine, lasting health for themselves and their children.-----Key Topics & Timestamps3:00 Why the current MTHFR conversation is stealing hope from families 07:00 Dr. Tony's backstory: farm life, GMOs, and the roots of genetic theory 14:00 Meeting Dr. Bruce Lipton and the discovery of epigenetics 23:00 Genes influence potential, but epigenetics determines expression 29:00 What MTHFR actually is and why it sounds like nervous system regulation34:00 The deck of cards analogy: how lifestyle plays out your genetic hand 43:00 Why symptoms show up later in life: allostatic load and the bucket analogy 49:00 The autonomic nervous system controls detox, inflammation, and methylation 54:00 Epigenetics is empowering, not scary — and it's changeable 58:00 The practical checklist: how to actually address MTHFR starting today-- Follow us on Socials: Instagram: @pxdocsFacebook: Dr. Tony Ebel & The PX Docs NetworkYoutube: The PX DocsFor more information, visit PXDocs.com to read informative articles about the power of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care.Find a PX Doc Office near me: PX DOCS DirectoryTo watch Dr. Tony's 30 min Perfect Storm Webinar: Click Here
Matt Fox and Marty Bordignon talk through Marty's first marathon-specific block for the Gold Coast Marathon, his rough post-Osaka patch, and how things have started to turn around as training settles back near 100 km per week. They also discuss Marty's MTHFR-related folate/B-vitamin issue, tapering philosophy, group training in the heat, preferred YouTube running content, fueling economics, and Boston Marathon predictions. Train with Matt: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Marty Bordignon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martybordignon/ Marty Bordignon Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/martybordignon/ In this episode, Matt is joined by Marty Bordignon from the Gold Coast, a 2:46 marathoner beginning a focused marathon block with less than three months to go until the Gold Coast Marathon. Marty reflects on a difficult three-week stretch after Osaka where fatigue, low motivation, and even easy runs felt unusually hard, before things started to shift again as he returned to roughly 100 km per week and gained confidence from a session of 3K, 5 x 60 seconds, and 3K. The conversation also explores Marty's discovery that an MTHFR gene variant was affecting his ability to absorb folate and certain B vitamins properly, and how getting back on the right supplement made a major difference. Matt and Marty discuss early-morning group runs to manage the heat, training rhythm, pacing options, and realistic goal setting heading toward race day, with 2:40 framed as a stretch and 2:38 sitting more in the realm of possibility if training continues well. They also break down Steve Magness's recent tapering video and share their preference for shorter tapers that maintain intensity, before moving into a broader discussion on running YouTube, filming ideas, watch time, monetization, sponsor dynamics, Ben Felton's content, Jake Barraclough injury speculation, Cole Givens, Nick Bare's move away from data obsession, and the ever-growing cost of fueling - including DIY carb mix ideas versus gels. The episode closes with some Boston Marathon predictions and a bit of shoe talk. Timestamps: 00:00 - Marathon Block Begins 00:50 - Goals and Pacing Plans 02:33 - Post Marathon Struggles 04:57 - B Vitamin Breakthrough 06:17 - Early Morning Training Life 10:15 - Coach Kyle and Volume Focus 13:23 - Workout Breakdown and Confidence 16:14 - Tapering Advice Debate 28:56 - Running YouTube Favorites 30:12 - Clayton Young Series Hype 35:23 - Behind the Scenes Filming Ideas 37:38 - YouTube vs Short Form Attention 38:13 - Watch Time Monetization 38:51 - YouTube Ads vs Sponsors 39:41 - Instagram Sponsor Appeal 40:17 - Ben Felton Video Breakdown 42:34 - Jake Injury Conspiracies 46:50 - Cole Givens Appreciation 48:06 - Nick Bare Ditching Data 51:59 - Supplements and Gel Economics 53:47 - DIY Carb Mix Recipes 01:01:15 - Instagram Follows and Motivation 01:05:55 - Boston Marathon Predictions 01:08:25 - Wrap Up and Shoe Talk
In this episode of Thrive with Carrie, I'm joined by my friend Meredith Minor — photographer, wellness advocate, and mom — for a powerful conversation about fertility, MTHFR, and the importance of advocating for your health.After years of being told her infertility was “unexplained,” Meredith chose to keep asking questions. In this conversation, she shares her experience with PCOS, miscarriage, fertility treatments, discovering compound heterozygous MTHFR mutations, and the nutrition and lifestyle changes that ultimately changed the course of her journey.We also talk about how MTHFR can impact methylation, detoxification, mood, hormones, and overall wellness — and why a root-cause, whole-body approach matters so much, especially when something in your body doesn't feel right.This episode is a reminder to trust your instincts, stay curious, and remember that small changes can make a big difference.In this episode, we discuss:Meredith's fertility journey and being labeled with “unexplained infertility”PCOS, miscarriage, and discovering MTHFRWhy methylation matters for hormones, mood, and detoxificationThe role of nutrition, inflammation, and whole foods in healingHow to think more holistically about women's healthWhy self-advocacy is so important in your healing journeyIf this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend and leave a review so more women can find these conversations.Connect with MeredithInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithminorphotography/Website: https://meredithminorphotography.com/About MeredithMeredith Minor is a photographer and wellness advocate based in Edgewater, MD. After years of “unexplained” infertility, miscarriages, and failed treatments, she discovered she carries MTHFR mutations—reshaping her entire approach to health. By switching to methylated vitamins and targeted nutrition, she and her husband conceived naturally within months. Today, Meredith is passionate about holistic wellness and empowering women to trust their instincts and advocate for their health.Follow Carrie on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriechojnowski/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.o.chojnowskiVisit https://thrivewithcarrie.com/ to book a free discovery call!See you next time!Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Dr. Jaban Moore walked into medicine because of his own battle with Lyme disease triggered by mold toxicity and what followed changed how he sees chronic illness entirely. What he's built in practice mirrors exactly what Dr. Whitfield sees in surgery: women who've done everything right, still suffering, and still being told their labs are normal. The real story isn't about one event or one foreign object. It's about burden, and how the body silently accumulates it until the weight becomes impossible to carry. This conversation goes deep on capsulectomy, fat transfer outcomes, genetic vulnerability, and why your history will always tell the truth if someone will just listen long enough. Still have questions you can't get answered? Dr. Rob's Circle gives you direct access to extended clinical insights and real surgical guidance. Apply at https://www.drrobscircle.com Book a discovery call with Dr. Whitfield's team: https://drrobertwhitfield.com LEARN MORE ABOUT Dr. Jaban Moore: Instagram @drjabanmoore drjabanmoore.com IN THIS EPISODE WE'LL: Understand why the body's immune response to foreign objects mirrors organ rejection at the molecular level Explore the "burden of time" concept and how life events, mold, divorce, and infection can flip a dormant immune response into a full crisis Discover why leaving the capsule in during explant surgery is, according to Dr. Whitfield, medically indefensible Learn the fat transfer success factors almost no surgeon is telling patients, including the BMI rule that can determine whether you keep 100% or lose 60% of transferred fat Hear why genetic testing for HLADR and MTHFR before any implant procedure could change the entire conversation around informed consent CHECK OUT THESE EPISODES: Why Your Mold Test Is Normal But You're Still Sick | Dr. Diane Mueller & Dr. Whitfield Lyme Disease & Brain Fog: The Missing Link with Dr. Eboni Cornish Why Your Lab Tests Are Lying to You (Lyme, Mold, and Parasites) | Dr. Mark Su
In recent years, growing concerns about folic acid and the MTHFR gene mutation have sparked confusion and questions. In this episode, Sue Becker dives into the heart of the issue, clearly explaining the difference between folic acid and folate, and offering an in-depth look at the MTHFR gene mutation—what it is, why it matters, and how it affects your health. Scripture Highlight - Isaiah 55:2, "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your earnings for what does not satisfy?" Article - "Is Your Grain Sprayed with Folic Acid?" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AYgbEpZCq/ LISTEN NOW and SUBSCRIBE to this podcast here or from any podcasting platform such as, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Alexa, Siri, or anywhere podcasts are played. For more information on the Scientific and Biblical benefits of REAL bread - made from freshly-milled grain, visit our website, breadbeckers.com. Also, watch our video, Only Real Bread - Staff of Life, https://youtu.be/43s0MWGrlT8. Learn more about baking with freshly-milled flour with The Essential Home-Ground Flour Book, by Sue Becker, https://bit.ly/essentialhomegroundflourbook. If you have an It's the Bread Story that you'd like to share, email us at podcast@breadbeckers.com. We'd love to hear from you! Visit our website at https://www.breadbeckers.com/ Follow us on Facebook @thebreadbeckers and Instagram @breadbeckers. *DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast or on our website should be construed as medical advice. Consult your health care provider for your individual nutritional and medical needs. The information presented is based on our research and is strictly that of the author and not necessarily those of any professional group or other individuals. #folicacid #folate #mthfr #enrichedbread #enrichment #genemutation #grain #wheat #freshlymilled #wholegrain
“When we think about longevity for women, the ovary truly is the key.” 01:07 - A window into women's health 05:00 - The ovarian lifespan 10:13 - Why puberty is starting earlier 13:29 - Endocrine disruptors & your child's hormones 20:22 - The drivers behind early menopause 24:44 - Egg quality explained 28:30 - The MTHFR gene 32:32 - Why embryo grading is flawed 36:45 - The psychological aspect of IVF 41:45 - The future of fertility Referenced in the episode: Find Natalie Crawford on her website: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/ Buy her book here: https://a.co/d/08aGcbT3 We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
KC was kind enough to share her story of MTHFR, POTs, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. This was a long interview, so it has been broken up into two podcast episodes. 00:49 - Meet KC01:18 - POTS diagnosis02:07 - POTS and COVID-1902:58 - POTS and MTHFR 06:22 - Giving up folic acid06:49 - Symptoms of folic acid detox07:17 - Methylated vitamins09:03 - Health knowledge is power09:18 - Understanding your genes for your kids10:06 - POTS, Acupuncure and DNRS11:11 - POTS and anxiety11:44 - POTS and altitude13:02 - POTS is underdiagnosed13:30 - POTS symptoms14:22 - Internet medical researchThanks so much for watching! I have so many other resources for you. Here is the full-length version of this interview: https://youtu.be/fveJ32ZO-OECheck out the website first for lots of FREE stuff:WEBSITE: https://tohealthwiththat.com/ Order Dr. Amy's book MTHFR Easy: Get Healthy For Life: https://amzn.to/47tT31YPaperback and audiobook versions are coming soon.This story was graciously shared with permission to post on the podcast, YouTube, and in print, if that happens in the future.
Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend! I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks… Anonymous: Hi Dr. Cabral - I don't believe you've talked about this before, but what are your thoughts about toxins in the regular/store brands of toilet paper? Should we be concerned about that and if so, are there any brands that you personally recommend or buy for your family? Thank you! Emily: Hello Dr Cabral, I love your podcast and listen to you weekly! I wanted to ask your thoughts on milling your own flour, to make your own bread. You do not have to convince me to not touch the commercial bread in the US, and right now I am just gluten free and do not eat wheat now. But some health sources I follow recommend milling your own wheat to be a healthier swap. What do you think? If so, do you have a wheat company and mill company to recommend? I think my hesitation is to spend all the money and find that it still bothers my gut Angela: Hi Dr. Cabral I just completed level 2 & will be starting level 3 soon! I am 48 years old and in the beginning of perimenopause. I have healed from Addisons disease, and I was borerline having scurvy in 2018, (which I believe I did have because I cracked 3 teeth in 2017 and needed root canals). All my numbers look good now. I had 3 incidents last year where my BP was 80/48, while dealing with stress . Is there a way a can support my adrenal glands and hormones in the perimenopause phase to keep my cortisol levels optimal so nothing triggers Addisons again? I also have MTHFR and take all the foundational supplements, plus 50mg of a progesterone troche. I am not taking anything to support my adrenals right now. Also what form of vitamin C would be best for me to incorporate? Thank you Veronia: Hi! Not every time but most times when I drink alcohol, it feels like something is coming up in my chest, causing a "growl" noise. I have moments where my mouth will water profusely. I have to run to the bathroom almost like I have to throw up but it's just saliva I'm spitting out. I gag but never throw up. This can happen just after one drink. The next day my chest and esophagus are so sore even water is uncomfortable going down. I have maybe 4 drinks a month. I still want to be able to have a drink. Is there something I can take or do prior to having a drink to help these symptoms? To add I did the Candida, Metabolic and Vitamin test. I have an overgrowth of Arabinose, value of 45. I'm in my 2nd month of the CBO protocol. I had 1 drink as my cheat meal and had symptoms:( Thank you! Sheena: Hi Dr. C! Hope you and your team are well. Just a few clarifying questions regarding test taking. Prior to taking the Food Sensitivity test, should I eat dairy, gluten, nuts etc? I work part-time, should I take the Stress Mood test on a day that I'm working for accurate cortisol results? And lastly, will you ever offer the stool test in Canada? I tried to purchase it but wasn't able to. Looking forward to your response! Thx! Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3705 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!
#956: Join us as we sit down with Victoria Thain Gioia – the Co-Founder and CEO of Perelel, the first OB/GYN-founded vitamin company redefining pre- and postnatal health. Victoria is on a mission to give women access to doctor-formulated, research-backed supplements that are tailored to every stage of their hormonal journey. In this episode, Victoria gets candid about the importance of third-party testing for safety, the benefits of creatine for women, opens up about postpartum struggles, shares practical supplement routines for every stage of life, and optimizing female muscle health amidst hormonal fluctuations. She also breaks down the importance of methylated folate over folic acid, especially for those with the MTHFR gene mutation, and shares actionable tips women can implement immediately for better health and vitality. To Watch the Show click HERE For Detailed Show Notes visit TheBossticks.com To connect with Perelel click HERE To connect with Lauryn Bosstick click HERE To connect with Michael Bosstick click HERE Read More on The Skinny Confidential HERE Head to our ShopMy page HERE and LTK page HERE to find all of the products mentioned in each episode. Get your burning questions featured on the show! Leave the Him & Her Show a voicemail at +1 (512) 537-7194. This episode is sponsored by Perelel Visit http://perelelhealth.com/skinny and use code SKINNY for 20% off your first order. Produced by Dear Media
291: Fertility has become one of the most requested topics on the show, so in this special Realfoodology compilation episode, I'm revisiting some of the most powerful insights from past conversations with leading fertility experts. You'll hear highlights from previous episodes covering everything from egg freezing and IVF to genetic factors like the MTHFR mutation, environmental toxins, hormone health, and the key nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. We also explore how stress, sleep, metabolism, and even male fertility can influence conception. These conversations played an important role in my own fertility journey, and I hope the insights shared here can support you on yours. Topics Discussed: → What are the biggest hidden factors impacting fertility today? → How does the MTHFR gene mutation affect fertility, pregnancy, and prenatal health? → What should you know before freezing your eggs or starting IVF? → Can toxins like BPA, microplastics, and endocrine disruptors reduce fertility? → What nutrients, lifestyle habits, and health markers matter most when preparing for pregnancy? Sponsored By: → Yaya's EVOO | YAYA'S is offering 15% off your order, and it even stacks on subscriptions. Go to https://www.yayasevoo.com/realfoodology. → Function | Own your health for $365 a year. That's a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/realfoodology and use gift code REALFOODOLOGY25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. → Qualia | Take control of your cellular health today. Go to https://www.qualialife.com/realfoodology and save 15% to experience the science of feeling younger. → Beekeepers Naturals | Today, Beekeeper's Naturals is giving my listeners an exclusive offer – go to https://www.beekeepersnaturals.com/realfoodology or enter code REALFOODOLOGY to get 20% off your order. → Clearstem | Discover the CLEARSTEM difference — Because CLEAR SKIN CHANGES EVERYTHING. Go to https://www.clearstem.com/realfoodology and use code REALFOODOLOGY at checkout for 15% off your first order. Timestamps: → 00:00 - Introduction → 04:28 - Infertility Causes + Birth Control: Dr. Sasha Hakman → 16:57 - Biological Age: Dr. Katharine Zagone → 22:35 - IVF & Male Fertility: WeNatal Founders Vida & Ronit → 30:26 - MTHFR Gene + Sperm Health: Ben Lynch Show Links: → Dr. Sasha Hakman → WeNatal → Seeking Health Check Out: → Dr. Sasha Hakman | Instagram → Dr. Katherine Zagone | Instagram → WeNatal Founders Vida & Ronit | Instagram → Ben Lynch | Instagram Check Out Courtney: → LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE → Check Out My new FREE Grocery Guide! → @realfoodology → www.realfoodology.com → My Immune Supplement by 2x4 → Air Dr Air Purifier → AquaTru Water Filter → EWG Tap Water Database Produced By: Drake Peterson