Eat for Life (Samantha Gilbert)

Traditional heart disease protocols, with their emphasis on lowering cholesterol, have been a disaster from the start. Science has shown that cholesterol levels are a poor predictor of heart disease and that standard prescriptions for lowering it, such as ineffective low-fat, high-carb diets, and serious side-effect causing statin medications, obscure the real causes of heart disease. Even doctors at leading institutions have been misled for years, based on creative reporting of research results from pharmaceutical companies intent on supporting the billion-dollar-a-year cholesterol-lowering drug industry. 

Now they have a new target market: children. Yes, you read that correctly, children. I have been seeing this egregious trend for quite some time now. Which is why this episode is so important, and I encourage sharing it far and wide. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Are statin medications worth the risk?
• Why you need cholesterol
• Should cholesterol be lowered?
• How and why it is your responsibility to be your own wellness advocate
• The seven fundamentals for improving your health

Click here to read the full transcript and study links.

Copper IUDs have soared in popularity as a safe alternative to hormone-based birth control for women but is this really true?

From what I’ve seen over the last 14 years, the opposite is true, yet when a woman notices chronic symptoms such as yeast infections, anxiety and panic attacks, and even psychosis after insertion of this device, she is often gaslit and told to see a psychiatrist.

Please know it’s not all in your head. If you or a loved one are experiencing adverse reactions to the copper IUD, please share this episode. You may save a life.

The copper IUD is a Class II medical intrauterine device that’s inserted into the uterus for long-term birth control (up to 10 years). It’s a T-shaped plastic frame with copper wire coiled around the stem and two copper sleeves along the arms that continuously release copper into the lining of the uterus. This process produces an inflammatory reaction in the uterus that is toxic to sperm, which helps prevent fertilization.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The detrimental side-effects of the copper IUD
• Why the copper IUD is not a safer or better form of birth control
• The multi-district lawsuit against the manufacturer of the copper IUD
• Why the copper IUD was recalled in 2014
• What copper toxicity is and how it impacts a woman’s body

Click here to read the full transcript and resource links.

Over the last several years, I've been shocked to learn how laws here in the United States have been manipulated to create false commodities designed to increase higher yields and higher profits for the global corporations of the world.

The Industrial Food Complex wants you to believe that we can live on genetically modified foods (GMOs), lab cultured meat and milk, and even insects to be healthy. 

Here in the United States, there are about 20 different cows in one pound of USDA beef, but they aren't required to share that information with you. And of those 20 different cows, they aren't even from American beef, because the US imports 20 billion pounds of beef per year from other countries, mostly South America and Australia.

So today I'm talking with Texas Slim, a seventh generation Texan, who took a deep dive into global food intelligence several years ago after embedding himself into a harvest company to increase his knowledge of the erosion of soil fertility, and pure animal protein. Slim discovered while on harvest not only the decay of nutrition within our food system, but the direct impact it has had on our society.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Industrial Food Complex
• How laws in the United States have been manipulated to create false commodities
• The impact of seed oils on our health and wellness
• Can we thrive and survive on lab-cultured meat, milk, and insects?
• Do food deserts and food poverty exist in the United States? 
• The importance of the Heritage Woman and embracing old ways in today's world

Click here to read the full transcript and resource links.

In May of 2022 there was a shortage of commercial baby formula here in the United States. I’ve always been very concerned about the toxicity of baby formula with it’s questionable ingredients that contribute to lack of development and thriving in babies, so today I’m excited to discuss why these formulas are so problematic and what actually led to the shortage, with Weston A. Price Foundation president, Sally Fallon Morell.

We also talk about why breast milk is best and what mother’s can do if they aren’t able to produce their own milk, as well as the best way to wean your baby.

Sally Fallon Morell is founding president of The Weston A. Price Foundation, a non-profit nutrition education foundation dedicated to returning nutrient-dense food to American tables, and editor of the Foundation’s quarterly journal.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why baby formula powders are never sterile
• Why breastfeeding and homemade formulas are best
• The need for lactose to support neurological development
• Hidden health concerns and issues with soy-based formulas and why iron should never be added
• Industrial seed oils and how they inhibit hormone and enzyme production
• The need for cholesterol to aid and support hormones and neurotransmitters

Click here read the full transcript along with links to formula kits, books, and research.

Did you know that your teeth are living organs, just like your heart, liver, and thyroid gland? According to Dr. Dawn Ewing, executive director of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, your teeth can provide important clues about underlying infections and overall body health.

On Today's show, Dr. Ewing and I discuss how traditional dentistry often fails to connect the teeth to the rest of the body. When it comes to root canals and other procedures, this disconnect can cause serious problems. Dr. Ewing's journey into biological dentistry began after she witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of simple dental clean outs and extractions. She found that root canals, which create “taxidermied teeth,” can cause chronic low-grade infections and urges listeners to seek out practitioners who think outside their narrow area of expertise.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The importance of a holistic approach to understanding teeth as living organs.
• How traditional dentistry fails to connect the teeth to the entire body.
• Dr. Ewing’s journey from dental hygiene to naturopathic medicine and biological dentistry.
• The drawbacks of root canals, and why it's crucial to consider a patient's overall health before embarking on any dental procedures.
• The significance of taking care of one's oral microbiome.
• The role of meridians, and how certain teeth are connected to specific organs.

Click here to read the full transcript and links.

If you're struggling to lose weight despite counting calories, eating a healthy diet, and regular exercise, please know that I understand your frustration. Before I understood the reasons why my body would not release the excess weight I was carrying, I fell victim to starvation diets and excessive exercise, in an effort to force my body into submission.

The result was a very depressed, anxious, suicidal, and extremely nutrient-deficient person with lots of digestive problems. But hey, I was a size two, so none of that mattered, right?

Well, in truth, the body can only keep this up for so long before crashing and burning, which leads to more weight gain in the long run, a cycle I would continue for many years. What I didn't know at the time was the role inflammation plays in the body's inability to let go of excess weight. I had no idea that biochemistry and stress were major roadblocks to my body's inability to maintain metabolic homeostasis.

So today, I'm speaking with Reid Davis, a board-certified holistic health practitioner and certified nutritional therapist. Reid is the founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and the FDN certification course with over 3,000 graduates in 50 countries

In this episode, we discuss:

• What metabolic chaos is and how it relates to weight loss and inflammation.
• Reed’s H.I.D.D.E.N. pattern he has recognized in his work.
• Reed’s D.R.E.S.S. formula for lifestyle change and healing.
• How chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues and the importance of testing for inflammation markers.
• The role of the gut microbiome in inflammation and the importance of addressing dysbiosis for weight loss.
• The importance of individualized approaches to health and the limitations of one-size-fits-all diets and protocols.

Click here to read the full transcript and get episode links.

Did you know that 80% of light pollution occurs at night, and over 35% of people experience sleep issues? Understanding the role that darkness deficiency and melatonin play in health and wellness is critically important.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Catherine Darley, a naturopathic physician as well as the founder and director of the Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine in Seattle, Washington, which is dedicated to patient care, public education about sleep health, and consultation with high-risk populations, such as first responders.

Dr. Darley is a leader in natural sleep medicine, combining her knowledge of sleep disorders with her training as a naturopathic physician to bridge these fields. Dr. Darley regularly writes articles and trains healthcare providers in the treatment of sleep disorders. She also co-authored the research study “Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”? A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements," published last year in the journal Nutrients.

Find out how to combat the ubiquitous darkness deficiency of the digital age, and restore balance to your hormones.

Click here for the transcript and important links.

The very mention of parasites can often send shivers down one's spine. However, the truth is that we all have them and they are an essential part of our internal ecosystem. It is only when our microbial terrain becomes unbalanced, due to a wide variety of factors, that they can become problematic.

Parasites are highly intelligent organisms with complex skill sets that are far more advanced than previously believed. Parasitic infections are not limited to underdeveloped countries with poor access to clean water and hygiene products. Even developed countries like the United States also have high rates of parasitic infections. However, because parasites can cause a wide variety of symptoms, many people do not realize that their symptoms may be linked to these infections.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The definition of a parasite and the different types
• The various ways in which a person may be infected by a parasite
• Common symptoms associated with a parasite infection, including those related to mental health
• The importance of liver health and drainage pathways in treating chronic parasite infections
• The impact of hormones and neurotransmitters on parasite activity
• The order in which to address parasite infections to achieve success without medication
• The importance of a safe environment, non-toxic food, and mental health in parasite treatment
• The inadequacy of medication in treating chronic parasite infections

Click here for the episode transcript and links.

Hello everyone, and happy new year! After taking some time off to move my offices, I am officially back. 

I’m thrilled to support you with more great content this year. I’d love to hear from you if you have a specific topic you’d like me to focus on. You can email us at info@eatfor.life with your thoughts.

In my clinic, I treat several conditions, including but not limited to autoimmune diseases, OCD, ADHD, autism, and depression. However, the one that stands out as the biggest struggle for many people is anxiety. Therefore, for the next several episodes, I am going to delve deep into the underlying causes and drug-free treatment options to help you overcome this often debilitating condition.

In this episode, I discuss:

• The bi-directional connection between the gut and brain, and how an underdeveloped connection can cause anxiety
• The role stress hormones play in promoting the growth of pathogenic gut bacteria
• The benefits of GABA supplementation during stressful conditions
• The need to address the root lifestyle causes of dysbiosis in the gut microbiome rather than just treating the symptoms
• The importance of diet in managing anxiety
• How excessive exercise can increase anxiety

Click here for the full transcript and research links.

In the second episode of my anxiety series, I’m talking about the biochemical imbalances I treat in my clinic that have a tremendous impact on anxiety. Understanding your unique biochemistry, meaning the nutrient imbalances and overloads within your body, is a powerful pathway to healing.

In this episode, I discuss:

• The impact of biochemical imbalances on anxiety
• How your brain is a chemical factory that requires certain nutrients to function optimally
• Methylation is a process that affects neurotransmitter activity and development, and imbalances can lead to anxiety
• Undermethylation and overmethylation are two variables of unbalanced methylation (too few or too many methyl groups)
• Copper toxicity affects mental health by lowering dopamine and increasing norepinephrine in the brain
• Zinc deficiency is linked to low neurotransmitter function, which can cause chronic anxiety
• Pyrrole disorder is a mood and stress disorder that results in deficiency of zinc and vitamin B6 that can cause high anxiety

Click here for the full transcript and episode links.

Today I’m talking about how medications can create imbalances in the body that may be causing you a lot of anxiety and panic attacks. These are common medications many people take daily such as statins, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and birth control.

For this episode, I will be focusing on antidepressants and birth control, two common medications that are known to have anxiety as a side-effect.

In this episode, I discuss:

• How birth control and antidepressants can alter the gut microbiome, causing issues like leaky gut, killing good bacteria, and causing yeast infections
• Antidepressants lack sufficient safety studies and can increase the risk of chronic anxiety and functional impairment
• A 2019 study revealed that serotonin reuptake inhibitors can have antimicrobial effects on the gut microbiome
• Birth control disrupts the gut microbiome, depletes key nutrients, and can lead to anxiety and panic attacks
• The suppression of natural hormones with synthetic ones in birth control often leads to anxiety and depression in women
• A case study of my client Sara who, through a holistic approach to healing, was able to overcome severe PMDD, anxiety, and depression
• Get a second opinion if you feel your concerns are not being heard, thoroughly research any new medications before taking them, and consider lifestyles changes to avoid them

Click here for the full transcript and research links.

Despite the widespread legalization and acceptance of marijuana, there are significant mental health risks associated with its use. Particularly concerning is the rise in marijuana use among young people, potentially harming the developing brain and increasing the risk of schizophrenia. Adults are not exempt, with links found between marijuana use and depression, social anxiety, and even long-lasting mental disorders, including schizophrenia.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Marijuana use, especially among youth, is linked to significant mental health issues, including schizophrenia and depression
• The marketing and normalization of marijuana often mislead people into thinking it is safe, which has led to increased use, especially among young people
• The history of marijuana use has troubling roots in occult practices and is often a gateway to more potent drugs and harmful lifestyles
• Individual responses to marijuana can be influenced by genetic factors, which can lead to adverse effects even in occasional users
• Despite the arguments for legalization, the negative impacts of marijuana on mental health have only increased since its legalization
  
  Click here for the full transcript and research links.

Nighttime urination is a common problem across all age groups. It affects men, women, and children. If you find yourself waking up around 3 a.m. or if you have nightly bathroom trips that seem to occur like clockwork every 90 minutes, then this episode is for you. Today I am talking about two overlooked underlying causes of nighttime urination: gut inflammation and breathing problems (specifically sleep apnea).

In this episode you will learn:

• Nighttime urination is common and can be caused by various health issues, but often overlooked causes include gut inflammation and breathing problems
• Gut inflammation can be caused by an overgrowth of inflammatory microorganisms, affecting the microbiome and leading to health problems such as breathing issues
• Sleep apnea can cause nighttime urination as it creates a vacuum in the chest cavity, leading to more urine production
• H. pylori infection can cause a range of symptoms, including acid reflux, which can lead to obstructed breathing and consequently, nighttime urination
• Treating root causes like H. pylori infection and addressing lifestyle factors, such as diet and sleep habits, can help alleviate nighttime urination
  
  Click here for the full episode transcript and research links.

Purchasing supplements on Amazon is quick and convenient, with the added benefit of same or next-day delivery. However, the downside of buying on Amazon is the wide variety of counterfeit products from dubious suppliers that can lead to devastating outcomes. Scarcity marketing and influencer hype create conditions that drive people to Amazon where counterfeit supplements thrive, often tainted with questionable ingredients and phony labels.

Click here to read the full transcript and links.

Is glutamine supplementation safe? Are you concerned about possible side-effects? In today’s episode, I explain what glutamine is, its effect on the brain and body, and why it’s not a safe nutrient for everyone.

ADHD paralysis is a phenomenon where individuals with ADHD find it hard to start or complete tasks. ADHD paralysis, or executive dysfunction, can manifest as procrastination, indecision, and inaction. It's not about laziness or lack of willpower. It's a neurobiological issue but if we go even deeper, we see that biochemical imbalances and infection are the root causes.

 The 3 biochemical subtypes associated with ADHD paralysis include:

• Copper toxicity
• Undermethylation
• Gut inflammation

Click here for the full episode transcript and links.

Ashwagandha is a powerful herb. In this week’s episode, I share the hidden dangers of this adaptogenic herb and six common negative reactions to ashwagandha that I have observed in my clinic over the years, including some of the comments people have left from the almost 800 comments on this article on my website.

Click here for the full article and research links.

Have you tried the carnivore diet after seeing headlines like "Carnivore Diet Best for Mental Health," only to experience adverse reactions such as anxiety, insomnia, or feeling constantly wired? Or perhaps you're currently on the carnivore diet and have seen significant benefits? Either way, this episode is for you. I'll offer clarity on the diet's potential effects on mental health, addressing both positive and negative experiences.

My goal is to offer a balanced perspective, free from influencer hype, on whether the carnivore diet may be suitable for your mental health. I'll examine this topic through four key areas:

• Gut dysbiosis and the gut/brain connection
• Imbalanced GABA and glutamate levels in the brain
• The role methylation plays in the consumption of animal proteins
• The impact of oxalate toxicity on the brain and body

Click here for the full transcript and links.

If I were to pick the top two master nutrients for optimum health, they would be iodine and zinc.

I've talked extensively about the importance of zinc, particularly in mental health, for several years. In this episode, I talk about iodine with Dr. David Brownstein, a world leader in holistic medicine.

We tend to associate iodine with thyroid health, but it’s so much more than that. Dr. Brownstein explains how this powerful nutrient plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and other bodily functions and how iodine deficiency correlates with infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

He also explains how people are getting the double whammy of iodine deficiency and also fluoride and bromide toxicity, which inhibit iodine from doing its function in the body.

Tune in to learn about the benefits of iodine supplementation and how to make it count.

Click here to read the full transcript and research links.

We’re on a mission to help you understand the root causes of your suffering so you can heal. Host Samantha Gilbert is devoted to helping you overcome things like panic attacks, depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, chronic fatigue, and PMS, by identifying how nutrient deficiencies and overloads contribute to your struggle. We dive into ways to heal your brain and body, and share conversations with special guest experts in the fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, functional and micromolecular medicine, trauma and abuse, as well as spirituality and faith.

Nine months ago, Michelle was at an all-time low. She was scared, isolated, and felt hopeless about her future.

Michelle told me: “I feel so defeated.”

Her level of uncertainty and fatigue was higher than they’d ever been. She said that her mind was always racing and she couldn’t sleep at night. She’d left her job because her anxiety and stress were just too much to handle.

On top of that, she was dealing with lower back pain and terrible PMS which kept her from exercising and doing the things she used to love.

She didn’t think healing was possible.

I assured Michelle that, not only is healing possible, but that it was also possible for her to get back to work, back to exercise, and back to her life.

Today, 9 months later, Michelle is working a job she loves, exercises regularly, and has even started dating again. She also lost 40lbs and was able to ditch her antidepressant.

Michelle was able to do this through the power of nutrients.

In today’s episode, I’m going to give you a crash course in the power of nutrients and how they impact your body’s ability to heal from conditions like depression, anxiety, autism, eating disorders, hormone imbalances, OCD, and ADHD.

I’m going to dive into what nutrients are, how they treat chronic conditions differently than medication, and how the gut impacts the brain.

Through this episode, you’ll gain a greater understanding of how the nutrients you put in your body can have a huge impact on the way you think, feel, and act, and the chronic conditions you deal with on a daily basis.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What nutrients are and how they provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of life
• How the choices you make impact your gut and how the gut impacts the brain
• What happens when your gut bacteria go bad
• How when deficiencies develop, so too do many disorders that impact the brain and body
• How Nutrients treat chronic conditions differently than medication because of their ability to heal your body at the level of DNA

One month in, my client Amanda told me: “I had no idea my anxiety, racing thoughts, and fatigue were due to being severely undermethylated and overloaded with copper!”

Her lab tests had just confirmed the underlying causes of her suffering.

When Amanda first came to me for nutritional therapy counseling, she was frustrated with doctors that told her nothing was wrong, she was a healthy young woman, and that basically, she was just overreacting.

“I know I’m not making this up,” she told me. “I can feel in my body that something is off, I just don’t know what it is or how to pinpoint it.”

Although lab work from her doctor showed no abnormalities, I knew that going deeper and supporting her in a way she had not experienced before was the key to figuring it all out.

After 6 months of working together, Amanda told me “My brain feels better, which allows my body to feel better. I no longer struggle with energy issues and my daily anxiety is gone. This is so liberating.”

If Amanda’s story resonates with you, you’re not alone. I hear this every week in my clinic and it’s a sad aspect of our global healthcare system. The good news is that healing is always possible, we just need to know where to look.

In our first episode, I shared what nutrients are and how they impact both the body and the brain.

In today’s episode, I’m going to give you a crash course into some of the underlying causes of depression and anxiety, autism, eating disorders, OCD, and ADHD – and how these root causes have a significant impact on the way you think, act, and feel.

We’re going to dive into what nutrient deficiencies and overloads are, and how they impact the brain and body. By the end of this episode, you’ll have an entirely new understanding of how nutrient deficiencies and overloads may be affecting you.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What nutrient deficiencies and overloads are and how they impact the brain and body
• Underlying causes of depression and anxiety, autism, eating disorders, OCD, and ADHD
• What 5 root causes I work with in my clinic:
• Undermethylation
• Overrmethylation
• Copper toxicity
• Zinc deficiency
• Pyrrole disorder

Click here for resources.

Our stories are extremely powerful and contain genetic, epigenetic, and transgenerational narratives.

Educating yourself with the facts surrounding accurate testing and treatment provides a powerful pathway to healing the brain and body.

In my last episode, I discussed how nutrient deficiencies and overloads impact the brain and body.

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Albert Mensah about genetics, epigenetics, the controversial MTHFR test, as well as misconceptions and dangers about the different forms of folic acid and their impact on the in utero environment.

Dr. Mensah is a world-renowned leader and teacher in methylation disorders. He is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005 Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all-natural, non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy.

His practice focuses on the management and treatment of cognitive disorders such as autism, behavior and learning disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety syndromes, childhood and adult schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as family medicine.

Dr. Mensah regularly presents at international conferences, trains physicians in advanced nutrient therapy techniques, and is board certified in integrative pediatrics by the American Association of Integrative Medicine.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The difference between genetics, epigenetics, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance
• The dangers of folic acid beyond the first trimester of pregnancy and its impact on the in utero environment (including the rise in autism, depression, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety disorders)
• MTHFR genetic testing flaws and the truth about how methylfolate actually works in the body
• The importance of designing a diet based on your unique biochemistry

 Click here for research links and resources.

In honor of mental health awareness month, and in these challenging times, I feel it's important to provide you with accurate information on how to support your mental and physical health.

Supermolecules, as well as dietary and lifestyle modifications that support both brain and immune function, can be powerful allies against the Coronavirus outbreak.

In episode 2, I discussed how nutrient deficiencies and overloads impact the brain and body.

In episode 3, I talked with Dr. Albert Mensah about how biochemistry and genes impact your brain.

Today I am having Dr. Mensah back on the show to discuss supermolecules that support both brain and immune function, what’s missing in the treatment of COVID-19, and insights to help you overcome depression and anxiety during this difficult time.

Dr. Mensah is a world-renowned leader and teacher in micromolecular medicine. He is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005 Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all-natural, non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy.

His practice focuses on the management and treatment of cognitive disorders such as autism, behavior and learning disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety syndromes, childhood and adult schizophrenia or Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease, as well as family medicine.

Dr. Mensah regularly presents at international conferences, trains physicians in advanced nutrient therapy techniques, and is board certified in integrative pediatrics by the American Association of Integrative Medicine.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How brain and immune health are inextricably linked
• The role supermolecules play in supporting both brain and immune function
• How diet and lifestyle modifications are powerful allies against COVID-19
• What we can do to take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally during the pandemic isolation

 Click here for resources.

More and more, we are seeing headlines exposing the narcissistic and criminal behavior of several high profile predators. We’ve seen a top recording artist finally be indicted after years of abusing young girls and women. We’ve seen convictions for a well-known movie mogul and long-standing comedian and actor, as well as a US Gymnastics National Team doctor—just to name a few.

Unfortunately, so many people—beyond the scope of these high profile cases—have been harmed by those with narcissistic, abusive, and criminal behavior.

Today on the show, I’m discussing the biochemistry of narcissism, sociopathy, and psychopathy with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP. I’ve had Dr. Mensah on the show before, both in Episode 3 where we discussed how biochemistry and genes impact your brain, and in Episode 4 with a discussion about COVID-19 depression, anxiety, and immunity.

If you’ve been harmed by narcissism and gaslighting, I hope this conversation with Dr. Mensah brings hope, healing, and an understanding of why you were harmed.

Dr. Mensah is a world-renowned leader and teacher in micro molecular medicine. He is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005 Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all-natural, non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy.

His practice focuses on the management and treatment of cognitive disorders such as autism, behavior and learning disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety syndromes, childhood and adult schizophrenia or Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease, as well as family medicine.

Dr. Mensah regularly presents at international conferences, trains physicians in advanced nutrient therapy techniques, and is board certified in integrative pediatrics by the American Association of Integrative Medicine.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The biochemistry of narcissism, sociopathy, psychopathy
• The role of epigenetics and trauma in criminal behavior
• How copper toxicity and deficiency, undermethylation, and Pyrrole disorder impact behavior
• The role parents can play in the creation of a strong family foundation
• How an underdeveloped amygdala cortex impacts the ability to have empathy and emotional connectivity with others

High anxiety, depression, brain fog, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and PMS.

If you've struggled with any of these health challenges, you're not alone. It’s estimated that over 50% of females are estrogen dominant and one in eight will develop breast cancer.

These are staggering statistics but there is another insidious invader of our bodies. It's called copper toxicity, a condition that wreaks havoc on both the mind and body. And, unfortunately, most women and doctors are completely unaware of it.

On today’s special women’s health episode, my personal physician, Dr. Judith Bowman and I talk about the ins and outs of this volatile metal.

Dr. Bowman specializes in biochemical imbalances and co-founded Mensah Medical in 2008 with her colleague, Albert Mensah, MD. Dr. Bowman combines traditional medicine with the biochemical approach to treat the symptoms of behavioral and cognitive disorders, autism spectrum disorder, depression (including postpartum depression), anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other biochemical imbalances.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why women are impacted by copper toxicity
• The intricacies of copper toxicity and how this condition affects the brain and the body
• The connection between copper, estrogen, and breast cancer
• Copper toxicity and menstrual disorders: endometriosis, PCOS, PMS, PMDD
• Copper toxicity and anxiety, depression (especially postpartum), and psychosis
• Why hair tissue mineral analysis is not an accurate testing method
• The myth of copper deficiency and at the same time, excess

Click here to read my full article with research links. 

Could copper overload be at the core of your anxiety and depression?

Copper toxicity is a condition that negatively impacts both the brain and body—and, unfortunately, this simple chemical imbalance is not common knowledge among women and doctors.

On today’s special women’s health episode I’m talking with Deb Tokarz who is a copper toxicity survivor and author of I Cu Copper, which is an open and honest look into her experience with copper toxicity.

For many years, Deb suffered from severe anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Despite these symptoms, Deb was either dismissed by her doctors or prescribed a one-size-fits-all treatment.

Eventually, Deb sought out a natural way to treat anxiety and depression. Soon, she learned that copper toxicity was the underlying cause of her suffering and has been on the path to healing ever since.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What the symptoms of copper overload can look like
• Deb’s journey with anxiety and depression, her symptoms of copper toxicity, and how she found out that copper was causing her anxiety and depression
• Why she was inspired to write her book, I Cu Copper
• How Deb detoxed from copper overload
• Why copper toxicity can sometimes be misdiagnosed as mental illness

 Click here for resources.

It’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

In this month’s special two part series, I’m sharing Sara’s story with you along with licensed psychologist, Dr. Perry Passaro, and orthomolecular specialist, Dr. Albert Mensah.

This is a story of a young woman who spent two years receiving psychiatric treatment with absolutely no improvement in addition to two hospitalizations and two suicide attempts.

In this episode, we question: why was no testing done prior to prescribing a wide array of heavy duty medications? And why did no one think to look at underlying biochemical imbalances and diet as a way to help her?

In this case study, you will hear from Dr. Perry Passaro and Dr. Albert Mensah.

Dr. Passaro is a licensed psychologist and a licensed educational psychologist. He works with children, families, adolescents, and adults at the Anxiety and Depression Treatment Center in Newport Beach, California. He specializes in the treatment of behavioral disorders, anxiety, spectrum disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and addiction. Dr. Passaro has been identified as one of the top 10 psychologists in Orange County, California.

Dr. Mensah is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005. Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all natural non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy and is a world renowned leader in orthomolecular medicine.

If you are feeling suicidal, please know that help is available. I encourage you to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at +1 800-273-8255.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How nutrients can heal the brain
• Biochemical imbalances that lead to suicidal ideation
• Why the current healthcare system needs a hands-on, multi-therapy approach
• How our healthcare system is designed to fail people

 Click here for resources.

It’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and I am continuing this month’s special two part series with licensed psychologist, Dr. Perry Passaro, and orthomolecular specialist, Dr. Albert Mensah.

In this case study series, we are sharing Sara’s story. Sara is a young woman who spent two years receiving psychiatric treatment with absolutely no improvement in addition to two hospitalizations and two suicide attempts.

In part one, we discussed how nutrients can heal the brain, the biochemical imbalances that lead to suicidal ideation, and why the current healthcare system needs a hands-on, multi-therapy approach. You can listen to the full episode here.

In part two, we look further into the underlying biochemical imbalances that were causing Sara’s severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation that led to hospitalizations and suicide attempts.

In this case study, you will hear again from Dr. Perry Passaro and Dr. Albert Mensah.

Dr. Passaro is a licensed psychologist and a licensed educational psychologist. He works with children, families, adolescents, and adults at the Anxiety and Depression Treatment Center in Newport Beach, California. He specializes in the treatment of behavioral disorders, anxiety, spectrum disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and addiction. Dr. Passaro has been identified as one of the top 10 psychologists in Orange County, California.

Dr. Mensah is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005. Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all natural non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy and is a world renowned leader in orthomolecular medicine.

If you are feeling suicidal, please know that help is available. I encourage you to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at +1 800-273-8255.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The importance of a comprehensive wellness valuation with a team of practitioners that includes counseling, biochemical testing, nutrient and dietary therapy
• Other forms of support that include movement meditation and other mindfulness practices
• How the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy methodology is used in treatment

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This is a topic that’s near and dear to my heart because breast cancer runs in my family—not only am I a nutrition therapy practitioner, I’m also a patient.

I believe I would have had a very high likelihood of getting breast cancer had I not learned about my own biochemical imbalances along with the help of my guest today, Dr. Albert Mensah.

There is so much confusion as well as genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute to breast cancer. So, in today’s episode, we are going to expand on the conversion that we started in Episode 03 with Dr. Mensah and Episode 10 with Dr. Bowman by going deep into uncovering two major factors that contribute to susceptibility—undermethylation and copper toxicity.

Dr. Mensah is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005. Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all-natural non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy and is a world-renowned leader in orthomolecular medicine.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The role methylation plays in cancer development
• How all forms of folic acid create cell division and are pro-cancer agents
• How copper toxicity and its relationship to estrogen increases cancer risk
• The supportive role nutrient therapy plays during radiation and chemotherapy treatments

 Click here to read the full transcript.

Many of us have been touched by narcissism.

Up close or from the sidelines, we have experienced its effects from a teacher, our parents, or from the leaders in our lives.

Often this narcissism surprises us and comes from the most unexpected of places where we feel safe to let our guard down and allow ourselves to be vulnerable.

One of these places is the Church.

Typically we don’t relate narcissism to the Church. But, even though it is rarely talked about, narcissism is often experienced in the Church today. Many of us have experienced disappointment and heartache as a result.

Today’s guest has been studying and working with narcissism for decades as a pastor, therapist, and spiritual director. Chuck DeGroat is the Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary and senior fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. Chuck is also an author, speaker, consultant, and therapist.

In today's show we talk about his most recent book, When Narcissism Comes To Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse.

I love how Chuck speaks truth into narcissism and gaslighting and calls out church leaders who are playing out this phenomenon in our world today.

If you've been the victim of spiritual abuse, my prayer is that this episode provides hope, healing and deeper insight into why you were harmed.

As Chuck so eloquently writes in his book: Healing requires radical honesty with ourselves and the courage to follow through on the wilderness path to healing.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What has contributed to the rise in systemic narcissism in church
• How to identify a narcissistic pastor and better understand the inner life of a narcissistic pastor
• Why we are attracted to narcissistic leaders
• And what we can do to protect ourselves without losing our faith

Click here for resources.

Be a boss. Hustle hard. Love yourself. Make it happen. You decide the outcome.

Do these phrases and mantras sound familiar?

Usually, these sayings are used in the self-help world to boost your confidence both in life and work. The self-help industry makes us believe that we can make anything happen—but what if these mantras we hear repeated in the self-help industry actually make you feel worse?

Enter High Functioning Anxiety.

High Functioning Anxiety—HFA for short—is when you experience anxiety but instead of freezing you up from making progress, it actually propels you forward. While this might sound like an efficient way to meet or exceed your goals, it can also lead to over-functioning, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the false belief that endless worry somehow contributes to our success.

On today’s episode, I’m talking with Nancy Jane Smith, an author, counselor, and therapeutic coach all about high functioning anxiety. Nancy has a Masters Degree in Higher Education and in Community Counseling from the University of Dayton.

Nancy is also a licensed professional counselor and coach specializing in high functioning anxiety with 13 years in private practice and has spent over 20+ years working as a counselor and coach. She has written three books on living happier, most notably The Happier Approach: Be Kind to Yourself, Feel Happier and Still Accomplish Your Goals.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What is High Functioning Anxiety and how is it different than anxiety?
• Tools for working through High Functioning Anxiety
• Why high functioning anxiety makes us believe that there’s only one right way—and once we figure it out, then we’ll be okay in the world
• Myths that keep us stressed out
• How to identify what your inner Monger sounds like and how to deal with it

Click here for resources.

Understanding the complexities of the human microbiome can be overwhelming.

At its most simple, we can think of the microbiome as an ecosystem that consists of a collection of organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungus, and protozoa.

We often think there is a single ecosystem—or microbiome—found within our bodies, largely residing in the gut. But there are different versions of our microbiome found in different areas of the body.

The microbiome is a complex and miraculous set of systems that exist in our bodies and contributes to our health in innumerable ways that we’re now starting to really understand.

Today’s guest has been blessed with the wisdom and skill to explain the microbiome in a way that creates greater healing, understanding, and purpose.

I’m thrilled to welcome Kiran Krishnan to the show. Kiran is a Research Microbiologist and has been involved in the dietary supplement and nutrition market for the past 18 years. He comes from a University research background having spent several years with hands-on R&D in the fields of molecular medicine and microbiology at the University of Iowa.

Kiran is also a co-founder and partner in Nu Science Trading, LLC., a nutritional technology development and research company. Kiran is also a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Microbiome Labs.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The magnificent intelligence that resides in our gut and how these systems that reside there are not accidental
• How we establish our microbiome and how they keep us happy and healthy
• The truth about most probiotics on the market today and the gut-brain connection
• Why breastfed babies have stronger immune systems
• The health implications of C-sections on babies

Click here to read my full article with research links.

Well, it's January and I have no words to describe all that we endured last year.

After taking some much needed time for self-care, I’m invigorated to begin anew. That’s why I feel this episode is so important. This time of year is when we set new goals and do everything in our power to achieve them.

But what happens when we don’t?

What stops us from doing what we truly want to do to become a healthier, happier human being?

Achieving our goals seems so simple when we write them down on January 1st. Yet as the days continue, we often see our motivation wane.

We might think: Why can’t we just stick to our goals?

We assume that we don’t have what it takes to truly change—but is it as simple as that?

Our goals are typically tied to behavior change and it’s hard to flip a switch in the New Year without understanding how we can motivate ourselves to take action that lasts.

That’s why I wanted to invite Dr. Perry Passaro back to the podcast. Dr. Passaro shares how to make real, lasting change. Dr. Passaro specializes in the treatment of behavioral disorders, anxiety, spectrum disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and addiction. Dr. Passaro has been identified as one of the top 10 psychologists in Orange County, California.Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why behavior change is so hard and how you can move past it
• The role of acceptance and commitment therapy
• Why goals on their own don't have motivating power
• How to develop the motivation to take action
• How nutrient imbalances can significantly impact our ability to move forward in life

Click here for resources.

For over 25 years I carried around an immense amount of guilt and shame because of my disordered relationship with food and my body.

No matter how hard I tried, I felt like I wasn't strong enough or smart enough to figure out why I had allowed this to take over my life. In my mind, I was a failure and total fraud for pretending everything was fine when in truth, I was in so much pain.

When I understood the "why" I was finally able to give myself a much-needed break, free myself of the guilt and shame, and finally begin the healing process.

In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness, I brought back my personal physician, Dr. Judith Bowman, to talk about the genetic, environmental, and biochemical causes of eating disorders.

Dr. Bowman has treated over 30,000 patients using all natural non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy. She trains physicians in advanced nutrient therapy techniques and facilitates outreach clinics all over the United States and abroad.

If you're currently struggling with disordered eating (or any addiction), please know you are not alone. You are not at fault and healing is always possible.

Eating disorders can be safely healed with dietary and nutrient therapy, therapies that literally saved my life.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Genetic conditions that create disordered eating such as undermethylation, zinc and B6 deficiencies, as well Pyrrole disorder
• How folic acid acts as a "double agent" on our DNA
• How these conditions affect neurotransmitter and hormonal development

 Click here for resources.

In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, I am so honored to share my very real and raw conversation about eating disorders with my friend, colleague, and eating disorder survivor Mindy Gorman-Plutzer.

In this episode, Mindy and I share our own experiences with disordered eating and how the path to healing is one that includes deep empathy and a holistic approach that looks at all aspects of a person's health, including gut inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and early childhood development.

As you'll learn, eating disorders are about a disordered relationship to self, brought on by family dynamics, abuse, and genetically inherited biochemical imbalances.

Mindy brings 25 years of experience to her private practice as a Certified Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner and Eating Psychology Coach. Mindy's life experience and training inspired her to create a framework that combines functional nutrition, positive psychology, and mind-body science, introducing a compassionate resolution to physical and emotional challenges resulting from chronic and complex health issues as they relate to eating disorders.

Not only is Mindy a health practitioner but she’s also the author of The Freedom Promise: Seven Steps To Stop Fearing What Food Will Do To You and Start Embracing What It Can Do For You.

If you're currently struggling with disordered eating, please know you are not alone. You are not at fault and healing is always possible. And be sure to go back and listen to episode 20 with my personal physician, Dr. Judith Bowman, on the genetic and biochemical imbalances that cause eating disorders.

 Click here for resources.

What if we viewed addiction as a response to something, rather than the common viewpoint that someone is a lost cause and can’t get their life together?

What if we embraced people with compassion and empathy, while also acknowledging that addiction is the result of a combination of genetics, who we are exposed to, trauma, abuse, family dynamics, and biochemistry?

In this week’s episode, I talk all things recovery with Bryan Vasquez, a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor in Newport Beach, California.

Bryan’s journey to becoming an addiction counselor began with the turmoil surrounding opiate use. Bryan offers concepts from the scientifically supported processes that helped him to realize his own recovery.

These techniques do not impose change, but instead, support change in a manner congruent with each individual's goals and values.

Bryan has worked in all facets of addiction treatment, including psychiatric hospitals, residential and outpatient programs, and private practice. He conducts both group and individual counseling as well as third-party assessments.

He serves as a Smart Recovery Group Facilitator and is versed in traditional as well as holistic modalities for treating addiction in individuals and within the family unit.

I can't wait for you to listen in as we talk about genetics, how we become addicted, why one size fits all programs don't work, the difference between abstinence and moderation, and why kindness and compassion are important components to healing from any addiction.

I loved how Bryan spoke to the importance of treating addiction through the lens of we are all unique, each requiring different treatment options, and that there is no right or wrong way for healing to occur.

As Bryan shared, there is a way out of addiction and it doesn't have to consume you for the rest of your life. There is a way that is unique to you that can lead to sustainable peace and happiness.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why the path to recovery is never one size fits all
• How addiction is a result of a combination of genetics, who we are exposed to, family dynamics, trauma, abuse, and biochemistry
• An introduction to the SMART Recovery Program as an alternative to more well known recovery programs
• The difference between abstinence and moderation and how to find a solution that works best for you

Click here for resources.

Anxiety, anger, and stress are a normal part of the human experience. But if you find yourself unable to tolerate even the smallest amount of stress without feeling lots of anxiety and anger, you may have a little-known stress disorder known as Pyrrole disorder.

Pyrrole disorder (also called Pyroluria) occurs when a biochemical abnormality results in the overproduction of pyrrole molecules. Pyrrole molecules are excreted continuously in the urine and are normal by-products of hemoglobin synthesis and other bodily processes.

For the average healthy person, this is not a problem. However, for someone with Pyrrole disorder, nutrient deficiencies occur because these molecules have an affinity for zinc and vitamin B6, causing them to latch onto and excrete them in the urine before the body can adequately absorb them, leading to severe oxidative stress.

Pyrrole disorder is connected to a plethora of symptoms and disorders such as extreme anger and rage, rapid mood swings, night owl tendencies, high anxiety, depression, morning nausea, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder.

Pyrrole disorder is something I regularly test for in my clinic. It is typically seen in people of all ages and is often genetically inherited in Northern European people groups such as the Irish and Scandinavian populations.

In today’s episode, I take a deep dive with Dr. Judith Bowman of Mensah Medical into what this disorder is and how it may be impacting your mental and physical health as well as myths that could be potentially harmful.

I hope this episode leaves you empowered and educated on this stress intolerant disorder and how focusing on root causes instead of symptoms is how true healing occurs.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Pyrrole disorder can be a root cause of alcoholism and addiction
• The connection between stress intolerance and Pyrrole disorder
• The role genetics plays in Northern European people groups
• Why zinc and B6 for important for optimal brain function
• What the differences are between omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
• The disturbing myth that manganese is required to treat Pyrrole disorder

 Click here to read my article on Pyrrole disorder and get research links.

Sound nutrition and equal education are the birthrights of every child.

This is the rallying call that today’s guest Dr. Vaishnavi Sarathy bases her life’s work – confronting the false belief that children with disabilities are incompetent.

She rightly believes that when we bring dignity and respect to all children, regardless of their assumed level of intelligence, anything can happen.

For this first episode in National Autism Awareness Month, I am excited to share my conversation with Dr. Sarathy about the assumption of competence placed on children with disabilities.

Are the assumptions we have about children with disabilities impeding their healing process? Are these assumptions blocking access to the support and resources that most of us take for granted?

It's an important question and one that Dr. Sarathy addresses beautifully.

Dr. Sarathy is a chemist turned teacher and functional nutrition practitioner focused on children with disabilities, especially Down syndrome and autism.

She is also the host of Functional Nutrition and Learning for Kids, a weekly podcast about out-of-the-box learning and nutrition ideas for kids with down syndrome and autism.

Her TEDx talk, Who Decides How Smart You Are, has been hailed as mindblowing and eye-opening. Practitioners and parents alike have attributed 180-degree changes in their attitude towards working with kids with Down syndrome and autism to conversations with Dr. Sarathy.

Her perspective is shaped by her 13-year-old son Sid who has Down syndrome and autism, is non-speaking and is slowly carving his space as a poet in the neurodivergent space.

This conversation is a passionate and moving call to action that is not to be missed.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The history of Assumption of Competence and how it differs from Assumption of Intelligence
• How assumption of competence is an important foundation for children to feel comfortable in their own bodies
• How posturing towards children impacts them more than we know
• The internal stressors children with disabilities deal with every day – stressors that most of us are completely unaware of!
• How reframing care can help parents and practitioners

 Click here for resources. 

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world.

2020 CDC statistics estimate that 1 in 54 children in the United States is born with autism spectrum disorder. That's 1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls.

And epidemiological studies estimate a global prevalence of 1 in 132 children!

What is happening to create this disturbing statistic?

And more specifically: how are our genes interacting with our environment that would cause such an exponential rise?

In this week's episode, I've brought back Dr. Judith Bowman MD, co-founder of Mensah Medical, to talk about the underlying causes of this multifactorial condition.

We talk about the role folic acid plays in the in utero environment, gut inflammation, and high oxidative stress, as well as copper's impact on the brain and body.

We also clarify that vaccines are an environmental insult in those who are genetically susceptible.

Dr. Bowman and her colleague, Dr. Albert Mensah, combine traditional medicine with a biochemical approach to treating behavioral and cognitive disorders, autism spectrum disorder, depression, including postpartum depression and women's health anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other biochemical imbalances.

Dr. Bowman has treated over 30,000 patients using all-natural, non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy, trains physicians in advanced nutrient therapy techniques, and facilitates outreach clinics all over the United States.

My hope is that this episode will give you a better understanding of how autism impacts us all and how we can reduce, and dare I say, eliminate the occurrence of this disorder.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The “Bermuda Triangle” of autism – high oxidative stress, undermethylation, and epigenetic insults
• The role severe oxidative stress and genetic predisposition play in the occurrence of autism spectrum disorder
• The effect folic acid has on the in-utero environment and how copper overload impacts the brain
• Why lumping autism and Asperger’s syndrome together is based on a lack of understanding
• Some common misconceptions and myths surrounding autism spectrum disorder

Click here for resources.

Have you ever thought about how your perceptions can significantly influence your body's reaction to food?

Food should be pleasurable, but unfortunately for so many people, it's a source of fear, anxiety and overwhelm.

In our world of influencer marketing and Dr. Google, it’s no wonder we’re more confused than ever about what and how to eat.

The anxiety and confusion that happens when we view food as bad or evil, can lead to beliefs that create poor health perceptions, and even a stress response that can impact the body in more ways than we realize.

In today's episode, I'm talking with Wendy Busse, a registered dietician from Alberta, Canada, and nationally recognized food sensitivity expert.

Wendy has over 25 years of experience in the field of food allergies and sensitivities. Her interest in the mind-body connection and experience in seeing clients in the “gray zone,” who do not fit neatly into any clinical practice guidelines and often fall through the cracks, led her on a journey to develop the food avoidance and sensitivity trap FAST model, and the theory of conditioned food sensitivity.

Currently she is the director of the FAST Freedom Program, a guided self-reflection process that helps food-sensitive clients rebuild body and food trust so they can expand their diet and enjoy the simple pleasure of a good meal.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The definition of conditioned food sensitivity and common red flags you might be stuck in this cycle
• How mistrust of our bodies can lead to a cascade of symptoms and restrictions
• Why taking research holidays can be key to accepting that there isn’t always an answer
• What you can do to start healing your relationship with food and your body

Click here for resources.

Lots of people are talking about the vagus nerve, but do you know just how many of your body’s organs and functions it interacts with?

In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Navaz Habib, author of Activate Your Vagus Nerve: Unleash Your Body’s Natural Ability to Heal.

Dr. Habib explains beautifully what the vagus nerve is and why it's so important for optimum health.

He gives us an overview of the anatomy and primary functions of the vagus nerve, including its major role in afferent communication–sending information from many of your major organs back to the brain–and the role of that communication in mental health and beyond.

Dr. Habib also breaks down four primary types of stressors that impact vagal function, and what you can do to support this essential component of your health.

Dr. Navaz Habib is the founder of Health Upgraded, an online functional medicine and health optimization clinic.

He works with high-performance professionals, athletes, and entrepreneurs who want to experience optimal health, feel the way their bodies were meant to feel, allowing them to have a greater impact and serve more people.

Having gone through his own personal experiences with poor health and weight struggles, Dr. Habib is well-equipped to identify root causes of health imbalances and to implement personalized recommendations to address them naturally.

By activating the vagus nerve, we can optimize our productivity, focus our energy levels, and experience the effects of upgraded health.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why Dr. Habib calls your vagus nerve a “thriving nerve,” not a surviving nerve
• The vagus nerve’s central role in your mental health
• The four types of stressors that impact vagus nerve function and your health
• Simple, do-it-yourself steps you can take today to improve your vagal tone

Click here for resources.

Drastic behavior changes. Extreme irritability. Developmental regressions. Why did your child become someone you barely recognize seemingly overnight?

Radical, sudden changes in a child’s behaviors and mood can be signs of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).

These infection-induced autoimmune encephalopathies were once considered rare disorders that are only recently becoming more well-recognized by the conventional medical community.

Which is why I'm so excited to share this powerful conversation with special guest expert, Dr. Jill Crista, who shares her own story of how she healed her twin sons of PANS and herself of Lyme disease and how that set her on a path to helping children and families heal from these conditions.

While the root causes are often not readily identified, and treatment may not be straightforward, both PANDAS and PANS are caused by an autoimmune response to an infection that results in severe inflammation in the brain.

Not all infections start this process because not everybody is going into the infection in a compromised state. And this is key to understanding and treating these conditions.

Dr. Jill Crista is a naturopathic doctor and one of the leading experts in the treatment of mold-related illnesses. After 20 years of working with patients and having toxic mold sprout in her own home, she was inspired to write her book, Break the Mold.

The book clearly and simply outlines the tools that everyday people can use to conquer mold. Dr. Jill also trains doctors to become mold literate, and supports mold canaries through her membership portal. Her motto? “Break the mold, take back your health.”

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• A breakdown of infection-induced autoimmune encephalopathies and how the stage can be set for immune system confusion
• Diagnostic criteria for PANDAS and PANS, and why early stage PANS may hide in plain sight
• How compulsions and tics in children don’t look like the movies and how to approach a child with a new or troubling behavior pattern
• Why taking healing fundamentals one step at a time is necessary for you and your child to keep from getting overwhelmed
• Immune system variables that make PANDAS and PANS difficult to test for, and testing adjustments that may be necessary

Click here for resources.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance have been buzzwords for quite some time now, but these conditions are still highly misunderstood and impact 1 in 8.5 people. That’s up to 17% of the general population!

Mast cells are our immune system’s first responders, sensing and communicating back to the brain about incoming pathogens, toxins, injuries, and other stressors.

When these amazingly complex cells are overtaxed and dysregulated, they will respond to anything as a threat, creating inflammation and a buildup of immune mediators like histamine and cytokines that create a wide range of symptoms from hives and itchy eyes to gastrointestinal distress, migraines, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and others.

Today's special guest has been personally impacted by these conditions and is an amazing testament to the power of a functional and holistic approach to healing.

Beth O'Hara is a Functional Naturopath specializing in complex chronic immune conditions related to MCAS and Histamine Intolerance.

She is the founder and owner of Mast Cell 360 Functional Naturopathy, where she looks at all factors surrounding health conditions: genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, physiological, environmental, and emotional. She holds a doctorate in Functional Naturopathy, a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, and a bachelor’s degree in physiological ecology. She is certified in functional genomic analysis and is a research advisor for the Nutrigenetic Research Institute.

She designed Mast Cell 360 to be the kind of practice she wished had existed when she was severely ill with MCAS, histamine intolerance, neuroinflammation, Lyme disease, mold toxicity, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.

Her mission today is to be a guiding light for others with MCAS, histamine intolerance, and these related conditions in their healing journeys through her Mast Cell 360 Root Cause process.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The role mast cells play in a healthy immune system, and what happens when they never get a break from environmental toxins and psychosocial stress
• The difference between Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance
• Why the standard diagnostic criteria and testing leave out a large number of MCAS sufferers
• Root causes and triggers for MCAS, including GI inflammation and mold, and how modern technology influences them
• Steps to take now if you suspect you may be struggling with MCAS or Histamine Intolerance

Click here to read the full transcript and resources.

So many women struggle on birth control.

Yet when they finally decide to go off it, they continue to have the same, or in many cases worsening, symptoms.

If you or a loved one struggle on any form of birth control, today's episode will empower you with the knowledge to understand why this is happening and the steps you can take to begin the healing process.

You'll learn how hormonal and copper IUD forms of birth control–and other long-term hormone therapies–impair the GI tract and deplete the body of key nutrients that can lead to autoimmune conditions, thyroid imbalances, and so much more.

We also discuss Post-Birth Control Syndrome, which can have lasting impacts on fertility, thyroid health, sexual function, and may even put you at greater risk of developing autoimmune conditions like Lupus.

Today I'm talking with Jenna Longoria, AKA the Period Guru.

Jenna is a board certified functional nutrition practitioner specializing in women's hormones. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Mind Body Green, NBC, the Elephant Journal, and SXSW. Jenna is also the author of The Period Solution: 28-Day Hormone Balancing Guide.

Through her virtual private practice, Jenna helps women reclaim their hormones and digestive health with a multi-disciplinary approach, combining functional medicine, nutrition, and diagnostic lab testing in her results-driven Root Cause Program. Jenna is a firm believer that the right diet and lifestyle can put any hormonal condition into remission.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How suppressing ovulation impacts progesterone, and its ripple effects on heart, thyroid and bone health
• What potentially life-threatening side effects are even more common if you have a family history of them
• How the pill disrupts the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation, food sensitivities, yeast infections, and nutrient malabsorption
• Six steps to take as you come off of birth control pills or an IUD

Click here for resources.

Diet culture tells us “eat this, don’t eat that,” while anti-diet culture too often says, “eat whatever you want” even if it’s inflammatory and can feed health problems in the name of body positivity.

Though at opposite ends of the spectrum, both embody rules that keep us disconnected from the cues our bodies are actually giving us about the foods we eat.

In truth, diets and anti-diets trickle into all facets of our relationship with food, forming a belief system about what we should or shouldn’t put in our bodies based on someone else’s experiences.

What if that “all foods” anti-diet makes you feel crappy later? What if your Whole30, intermittent fasting, paleo, AIP, keto, whatever diet makes you feel anxious, depressed or fill in the blank?

Our bodies are unique and so are our needs and responses to different foods.

What if instead we slowed down and really listened to our bodies? What if we rewrote our stories with food and empowered ourselves to make choices based on how a particular food feels in our body?

I brought my dear friend and colleague Mindy Gorman-Plutzer back on the show to talk about how both diet and anti-diet culture profits off of disconnection with our bodies. We also talk about the challenge with anti-diet culture and the true meaning of being an intuitive eater.

Mindy Gorman-Plutzer is a Certified Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle practitioner and Eating Psychology Coach with over 25 years in practice. Mindy's life experience and training inspired her to create a framework that combines functional nutrition, positive psychology, and mind-body science.

She's also the author of The Freedom Promise: 7 Steps To Stop Fearing What Food Will Do TO You and Start Embracing What It Can Do FOR You.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What anti-diet culture gets wrong about intuitive eating
• The difference between being in relationship with your body and honoring it and restriction
• Why emotional eating is not the same as compulsive eating, and why it’s okay to bring your feelings to the table
• Steps to begin reconnecting with your body and tuning in to your cues and responses

Click here for resources.

When you think of a concussion, do you picture a football player passed out on the field or someone who hit their head in a car accident?

It may surprise you to learn that a concussion doesn’t have to be from a direct blow to the head or include losing consciousness.

So what defines a concussion?

Anything that jostles the brain can cause a concussion. And symptoms can be more than just headaches.

In fact, many people struggle for years before they realize they've had a concussion and are dealing with a wide variety of debilitating physical, mental and emotional symptoms related to Post-Concussion Syndrome.

For years, today's guest struggled with many vague health issues, such as mild depression, lack of motivation, low energy and brain fog to name a few.

The breaking point was after he got into a horrible car accident that nearly cost him his life, which led to his calling as a functional neurologist and the realization that he’d had a series of concussions prior to that almost fatal accident.

Dr. Titus Chiu is a functional neurologist who has been passionately teaching people how to fix their brains since the day he healed his own broken brain. He is also an award-winning speaker and the bestselling author of BrainSAVE.

Dr. Chiu helps high achievers go from surviving to thriving after concussion by empowering them with the most up-to-date tools and resources needed to take control of their brains.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What a concussion really is and common symptoms that you might not know about.
• How Post-Concussion Syndrome symptoms can continue to develop long after the original injury.
• Why symptoms vary widely and encompass so many aspects of physical, mental and emotional health.
• Why a holistic approach to symptoms is key to targeting treatment for the specific areas of the brain that have been injured by a concussion.
• How learning to activate your vagus nerve plays a role in healing from concussion.

Click here for resources.

23.5 million people in the United States suffer from at least one autoimmune condition and that number is rising fast.

Worldwide, autoimmune diseases are increasing by 7% each year, with the biggest increases in celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and myasthenia gravis. The most significant jumps are happening in the northern and western hemispheres.

There are now over 100 different types of autoimmune diseases and I see them in over half of the people I serve in my clinic here in the United States.

Autoimmune disorders impact every body system, including the brain, thyroid, blood, GI tract, nerves, lungs, skin, muscles and bones. And let's not forget the female reproductive system in conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, which I classify as autoimmune diseases.

Where is this exponential rise coming from? And why do most people develop more than one autoimmune condition?

To help explain why this is happening, I’ve brought back microbiologist Kiran Krishnan to talk about triggers, why diet and detox alone don't work, and why taking a deeper look at your GI tract and environment is key to healing.

Kiran Krishnan is a Research Microbiologist and has been involved in the dietary supplement and nutrition market for the past 18 years. He spent several years with hands-on R&D in the fields of molecular medicine and microbiology at the University of Iowa. He is a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Microbiome Labs.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How the immune system relies on the microbiome to learn and adapt to your environment.
• A breakdown of two major immune system processes and how they can trigger autoimmunity in a dysfunctional microbiome.
• The three components of how an autoimmune disease is triggered.
• Why trendy diets like keto might alleviate some symptoms now, but have big repercussions for your microbiome and immune system later.
• Five warning signs of systemic inflammation that merit talking to your doctor.
• A gut microbe you’ve probably never heard of that is associated with lots of autoimmune issues.

Click here to read the full transcript and resources.

Parenting in a post-pandemic world with masking requirements, Zoom school, and social distancing from friends and classmates is hard enough.

Being a parent to a behaviorally challenged and neurodivergent child comes with unique challenges that for many, have been heightened by the pandemic.

Anger, rage, extreme defiance, high anxiety and other behavioral and mental health issues can take a toll on you and on your relationship with your child.

If you are a parent struggling with how to best support your child, this episode with Dr. Nicole Beurkens was made just for you.

As a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced degrees in psychology, education and nutrition, Dr. Nicole is the world's leading holistic child psychologist. She has dedicated over 20 years to providing parents with research based strategies that get to the root of children's attention, anxiety, mood, and behavior challenges, so they can reach their highest potential. She runs a multi-disciplinary evaluation and treatment clinic and is a bestselling author, published researcher, award-winning therapist, media expert, and experienced mom of four.

Nicole and I take a deep dive into how to see your child's greatness, how to set firm yet compassionate boundaries, specific tools and scripts you can use to interact with your child, and how to help them build the skills they are lacking to help improve their behavior.

We also talk about the importance of diet, sleep, digestion, and hydration, and how a breakdown in these key areas can significantly impact their behavior.

Helping your child develop skills for emotional self-regulation takes time, but consistency, compassion and hope will help you see and support their strengths as well as their challenges.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why understanding that your child’s behavior is not about or a reflection of you is key to regulating your own emotional response.
• How to empathetically acknowledge your child’s feelings while enforcing clear boundaries.
• Why effective boundaries are about what you as the adult will or will not do, not what your child will do.
• The basic foundations kids need to support their physiological and neurological functioning.

Prior to 2020, an estimated 25% of adults struggled with a mental health condition. Since the beginning of the pandemic, with the added stressors and uncertainties many of us face, along with the toll of social and physical isolation, that number is estimated to have risen by 40%.

The landscape of our collective mental health has likely permanently changed since the beginning of 2020.

But accessing mental health care and support is still a challenge for many people, particularly for anyone looking outside the traditional model of managing symptoms with medication.

And yet, there is a body of research that supports and validates the use of integrative strategies for treating mental health concerns by addressing root cause imbalances in the body that affect brain functioning and symptom presentation.

Today, I’m joined by the executive directors of Journey’s Dream and the Mensah Research Institute, organizers of the Integrative Mental Health Summit, October 8-10. This three-day online conference is intended for anyone and everyone facing mental health concerns by providing accessible resources and education.

I am so excited to announce that I will be delivering a keynote speech on October 8.

Breaha Wallin is the co-founder and executive director of Journey’s Dream. She was inspired to co-found Journey’s Dream following her brother Journey’s struggle with his mental health and subsequent death in 2013. Breaha is co-creating a world where mental health recovery is the mainstream expectation and everyone has access to excellent multifaceted care.

DJ Wells is the executive director of The Mensah Research Institute was founded as a conduit for conducting, supporting and presenting research efforts that provide scientific evidence of the efficacy of targeted nutrient therapy and other natural approaches to improving brain function and to enhancing and optimizing mind, body health and balance.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How mental health should be viewed as a spectrum from thriving to struggling, and why no point on the spectrum is permanent.
• Why mental health support needs to go beyond addressing acute symptoms and become a preventative practice.
• What integrative or functional medicine means when it comes to mental healthcare.

Click here for resources and to register for the event.

Is your smartphone phone really bad for you?

Our lives are increasingly full of wireless devices, from our phones, tablets and e-readers to our “smart” home appliances.

We know there are mental health impacts from constant connection to the internet, work, social media and more through our phones, but our technology poses other risks too.

Maybe you’ve been hearing people talk about the negative effects of magnetic fields and wondered if it’s really that bad. I can tell you, in my clinic, I have seen the devastating impact EMFs can have on mental, physical and emotional health.

As a nutritional therapist, I’m usually talking about the toxins in our food supply, but we’re also constantly being exposed to toxins resulting from what today’s guest calls “electrical pollution.”

Nicolas Pineault, “the EMF Guy,” is an advocate for safe technologies and the bestselling author of The Non-Tinfoil Guide to EMFs

Through his unconventional approach, blending humor, science and common sense, Nick has become a leading voice on the topic of electromagnetic pollution and its impacts on our health.

I’m excited for you to hear our conversation as we dissect how EMFs affect mental health, cancer risk, infertility, cognitive function and aging.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What emerging research shows about the impact of EMFs on cancer risk and their classification as a carcinogen.
• Why advocating for safer technology doesn’t mean you have to go back to the Stone Age.
• What EMFs have in common with smog and glyphosate.
• Simple steps to reduce your exposure in your home and office.

Click here for resources.

Half of the American diet is composed of highly processed wheat and gluten-based food products, making it a major contributor to diseases that impact the brain and body.

Gluten impacts not only mental health, but is connected to the staggering and continual rise in autoimmune diseases, especially pain syndromes and gut inflammation.

But if going gluten-free is the answer, why do autoimmune diseases and mental health disorders continue to rise? 

Is going gluten-free all it’s hyped up to be?

In this special two-part series, I’m speaking with two world-renowned experts who have dedicated their lives to educating the public about the impact of wheat, gluten, and other grains in our diets.

Over the next two episodes, you’ll learn how even so-called “gluten-free” grains such as corn and oats are still problematic, the problem with cross-contamination, how chemicals used in growing and storing grains impact your health, and so much more.

Today, I'm speaking with Dr. Peter Osborne. Dr. Osborne is the clinical director of Origins Health Care in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a doctor of Chiropractic, a Doctor of Pastoral Science, and a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist. He is the author of No Grain, No Pain and the founder of Gluten Free Society.

Dr. Osborne is one of the most sought-after alternative health and nutrition experts in the world. His practice is centered on helping those with painful chronic degenerative and autoimmune diseases using natural methods. He is one of the world’s leading authorities on gluten sensitivity, and lectures nationally on this and many other nutritionally related topics.  

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How mass-scale farming practices contribute to gluten sensitivity, inflammation and disease risk
• Gluten’s connection to autoimmune pain syndromes and the impact of pain management drugs on the gut and the body
• What gluten-free labeling in the US leaves out that can still make you sick
• How compounds in grains can actually mask their own damage by inhibiting pain response
• The many symptoms and disorders gluten is linked to that aren’t in your gut

Click here for resources.

To this day, I get asked if gluten is problematic.

And I often get pushback from people who tell me that they have no reactivity to it and that their doctor or nutritionist doesn’t think it’s problematic.

But when they work with me and we dig deeper into their medical and family history, I see a wide variety of symptoms related to the gluten in their diets.

To make matters worse, gluten is often found in foods that wouldn’t normally contain gluten, but have been exposed to cross-contamination in how and where they are grown or in processing. This is especially true with oats!

Another scary fact is that glyphosate, the herbicide otherwise known as Roundup, is used as a desiccant to dry out oats and other gluten-free grains. Glyphosate is a common underlying cause of autoimmune disease.

Today’s guest is a world leader on gluten sensitivity and inflammation.

Dr. Tom O’Bryan is the founder of theDr.com and his most recent book, You Can Fix Your Brain, **was received with global accolades.

When it comes to getting healthy, Dr. Tom’s goal for you is making it easy to do the right thing. As an internationally recognized, admired, and compassionate speaker, focusing on food sensitivities, environmental toxins, and the development of auto-immune diseases, Dr. Tom's audiences discover that it is through a clear understanding of how you got to where you are that you and your doctor can figure out what it will take to get you well.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How wheat and gluten create an immediate immune system response for all of us, even if you think you’re not reactive
• What the line of tolerance means for your gut
• How inflammation and dysbiosis in your gut impact your brain
• Why “gluten-free” on the menu or the label isn’t a guarantee
• Steps to take to transition to a grain-free diet

Click here for resources.

If you have breast implants and are experiencing symptoms, please hear me. You are not crazy. It's not all in your head and yes, you can do something about it.

If your medical provider isn’t hearing you or is dismissing you, then I encourage you to find someone else who will truly listen to your concerns and provide a compassionate approach to healing.

I'm passionate about this topic because I've walked with several clients through their breast implant illness healing journeys, and I want you to know you are not alone.

Breast implant illness survivor Danielle Valoras joins me for a two-part series to discuss the signs and symptoms of breast implant illness, along with how implants are manufactured and why we don’t have long-term data on their safety.

Danielle Valoris is a certified physician assistant and founder of NavWell RX, an integrative health practice.

She is also the originator of the Breast Implant Health Summit, a global initiative for education and better health for those with breast implants. Danielle brings over 20 years of experience in medical research and education to her clients.

She specializes in Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Immunology (P.N.E.I.), a burgeoning field that investigates the link between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems in relation to physical health.

For the last five years, Danielle's mission has been to inform, treat and advocate for women who have been diagnosed with breast implant illness and other implantable device-related issues.

Today, she shares her implant story and the challenges, symptoms, and illness that developed, her ultimate decision to have them removed, and how she healed.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How lack of accountability and transparency in the FDA approval process for breast implants impacts our ability to make educated choices.
• How Danielle’s surgical team ignored her specific wishes for the size of her implants and how that impacted her healing and orthopedic symptoms she developed.
• The symptoms of lymphatic swelling, depression, fatigue, and brain fog that began to crop up almost immediately after surgery.
• What pathologists found in Danielle’s system at the time her implants were removed.

Click here to read the full article along with research links.

In part two of our discussion, Danielle Valoras returns to dig into the science behind breast implants, why they cause some women to develop symptoms of Breast Implant Illness, and what we can do to hold the FDA, manufacturers, and surgeons accountable.

Despite increasing evidence that breast implants can and do cause complications and immune responses for many women, too many providers still dismiss their concerns.

If you’re experiencing a shift in your health and wellbeing following breast implant surgery, know that you are not alone. It is not all in your head. And there are compassionate providers out there who will help you navigate your choices so you can get your life back.

Danielle Valoras is a certified physician assistant and founder of NavWell RX, an integrative health practice.

She is also the originator of the Breast Implant Health Summit, a global initiative for education and better health for those with breast implants. Danielle brings over 20 years of experience in medical research and education to her clients.

She specializes in Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Immunology (P.N.E.I.), a burgeoning field that investigates the link between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems in relation to physical health.

For the last five years, Danielle's mission has been to inform, treat and advocate for women who have been diagnosed with breast implant illness and other implantable device-related issues.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How breast implants interact with your immune system, regardless of if you develop symptoms.
• Why rupture isn’t the only risk factor for breast implant contents to get into your system.
• How even small amounts of platinum leaching from an implant impact your GI tract.
• Why even saline implants expose you to silicone.
• Diagnostics to ask for and a functional medicine approach if you think your implants may be impacting your health.

Click here to read the full article along with for research links.

We talk a lot about toxins and you may think you’ve heard it all before, but hear me out!

We are exposed to environmental toxins every single day, by doing normal, everyday activities like eating, showering, using beauty products, and cleaning.

Many exposures are unavoidable, but there are many that you can address, especially when it comes to products that come into your home.

You might think that because something is on the shelf at your local store, that means it’s safe. But there are over 84,000 chemicals registered for use in the United States and many of them have never been tested for safety.

We’re finding that many of these chemicals are linked to conditions we’re all trying to avoid, like cancer, diabetes, depression, anxiety, ADHD, thyroid disease, hormonal imbalances, infertility and more.

But when it comes to reducing your exposure, it can be hard to know where to start and easy to get overwhelmed.

That’s why today, I’m talking with environmental toxins expert and educator Lara Adler.

Lara Adler is an Environmental Toxins Expert & Educator and a Certified Holistic Health Coach who teaches health coaches, nutritionists, and other health professionals how to eliminate the #1 thing holding their clients back from the results they are seeking – the unaddressed link between chemicals and chronic health problems. She trains practitioners to become experts in everyday toxic exposures so they can improve client outcomes without spending hundreds of hours researching on their own.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How the reactive, rather than proactive, mode of regulation and enforcement in the United States make it easy for toxins to end up in products we use every day.
• How industry mobilizes to manufacture positive research and suppress negative outcomes.
• Three simple, free steps to take today to begin reducing toxin exposure in your home.
• The truth about natural and organic labeling on personal care products, and what label claims you can actually trust.

Click here to read the full transcript along with research links.

For December, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite episodes while we take a little break to spend time with friends and family. I hope you are also able to make room for the things you love this season, you so deserve it after the year we've had.

The first one is a powerful conversation with Dr. Albert Mensah about how flawed the MTHFR (the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene) testing approach is and its common resulting treatment: methylfolate.

In clinical practice, we’ve been seeing adverse reactions to methylfolate treatment for many years now.

We discuss why this testing approach is problematic, misconceptions about the different forms of folic acid, potential dangers and impacts on the in utero environment and neurotransmitter activity.

Dr. Mensah is a world-renowned leader and teacher in methylation disorders. He is the co-founder of Mensah Medical in Warrenville, Illinois, a clinic that specializes in the treatment of biochemical imbalances and the cognitive and physical disorders caused by those imbalances. Since 2005 Dr. Mensah has treated over 30,000 patients using all-natural, non-pharmaceutical targeted nutrient therapy.

His practice focuses on the management and treatment of cognitive disorders such as autism, behavior and learning disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety syndromes, childhood and adult schizophrenia or Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease, as well as family medicine.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How loading up on methylfolate can result in neurotransmitter changes and imbalances, especially with glutamate and serotonin
• Why the MTHFR gene test can’t determine methylation status
• How folic acid supplementation outside of the first trimester negatively impacts fetal and child development
• Testing that can help you discover your methylation status to accurately support physical and mental health

Click here to read the full transcript along with research links.

For December, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite episodes while we take a little break to spend time with friends and family. I hope you are also able to make room for the things you love this season, you so deserve it after the year we've had.

My second favorite episode for this month is my conversation with Kiran Krishnan about the gut microbiome.

I love this episode because of Kiran’s ability to explain why the health of our gut microbiome is so important, especially in early life and its impact on mental health.

Your body’s microbiome is a complex set of systems that contribute to your health and wellbeing in innumerable ways that we have barely begun to understand.

And you have multiple microbiomes that exist in your body, from your skin to your mouth to your gut that are comprised of multiple kinds of organisms at varying levels. It’s no wonder we’ve only scratched the surface in learning about these different ecosystems.

Kiran Krishnan joins me to break down what a microbiome is, what it’s made up of, and why the microbiome in your gut is so vital to your overall physical and mental health.

Kiran Krishnan is a Research Microbiologist and has been involved in the dietary supplement and nutrition market for the past 18 years. He spent several years with hands-on R&D in the fields of molecular medicine and microbiology at the University of Iowa. He is a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Microbiome Labs.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The various microbes that make up your microbiome and the different ecosystems that exist throughout your body
• How the gut microbiome connects to your brain through the enteric nervous system and vagus nerve
• The role of the gut microbiome in mental and behavioral health and how it impacts your response to stress
• The problem with most probiotics on the market today and what actually works to support your gut microbiome

Click here to read the full article as well as research links.

2021 was quite the year, but we made it to 2022!

To kick off the new year, my producer, Sean McMullin is flipping the script and interviewing me.

Today I’m sharing my personal journey to better health and wellbeing after surviving trauma and physical and mental health challenges.

From overworked, overstressed and struggling to keep my head above water, I’m telling the story of the wrong turns and mistakes and the moments that finally gave me hope and set me on the path to wholeness.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How understanding your biochemistry can change your relationship with your health
• Why making radical changes to your diet without understanding root causes leads to frustration
• Red flags to watch out for when you’re looking for answers
• What to expect when implementing a treatment protocol and why physical and mental healing is never linear

If you feel like you’ve tried everything you can to heal your gut from very low carb or low FODMAP diets to pre and probiotic therapies, and you are still struggling with digestive problems, this episode was made for you.

For years, Steven Wright struggled with a wide variety of severe digestive problems, which led him to create the SCD Lifestyle, and now the Healthy Gut Company.

In today's episode, Steven shares his healing journey and we take a deep dive into the systems that support optimal gut health and healing, as well as what you can do to start your own healing process.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How stomach acid is key to immune function, nutrient absorption, and even food sensitivities.
• How low stomach acid levels lead to bloating, poor transit time, gut dysbiosis, and other symptoms you may not know about.
• Why the function of your villi and brush border enzymes are root causes of carbohydrate malabsorption, not the carbs themselves.
• How highly restrictive diets can actually contribute to symptoms and reduce the resilience of your gut.
• Simple steps to test your gut function and begin to heal.

Click here to read the full article along with a coupon code for $15 off plus free shipping.

Today I’ve brought back Steven Wright of the Healthy Gut Company to talk about the tremendous impact short-chain fatty acids have on the gut microbiome.

Short-chain fatty acids are produced when the good bacteria in your gut break down certain dietary fibers, which is why dietary and supplemental fiber sources are so important for optimal health.

Both clinical application and peer-reviewed research have shown that short-chain fatty acids enhance intestinal barrier function, regulate the immune system, and reduce oxidative stress. They can also help with insomnia, food sensitivities, histamine intolerance, and autoimmune diseases.

We discuss good sources of the right kinds of dietary and supplemental fibers, as well as how and when to supplement short-chain fatty acids like butyric acid.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How short-chain fatty acids are produced in the gut and why they’re so important for maintaining the health of your microbiome
• How butyrate interacts with the immune system to protect against leaky gut and autoimmune issues
• What to eat to support your body’s ability to produce short-chain fatty acids
• What to look for in a butyrate supplement

Click here for research links plus a coupon code for $15 off plus free shipping.

There is so much misinformation out there about hormones and women’s health, especially estrogen.

So I’m excited to share my in-depth conversation with Dr. Felice Gersh about women’s hormones and the different phases of perimenopause and menopause.

We discuss the flawed study that generated so much fear and misinformation about estrogen and cancer, the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, the role diet and your gut microbiome play in balancing hormones, and so much more.

Dr. Felice Gersh is board certified in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She taught as an assistant clinical professor at the Keck USC School of Medicine for 12 years and is the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, California.

A globally recognized expert on women’s health, Dr. Gersh regularly speaks at conferences around the world and is also the best-selling author of PCOS SOS and her most recent book, Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know about what to expect during the three phases of menopause.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why the hormone combination used in the Women’s Health Initiative study caused so many problems
• How estrogen can actually protect you from reproductive cancers and why this changes with age
• How chronic pro-inflammatory states and hormonal imbalances contribute to the negative effects of aging
• Why we are seeing more cancers in young, premenopausal women
• How endocrine disruptors in food and the environment contribute to rising rates of autoimmune disorders, cancers, and menstrual disorders like PCOS

Click here to read my full article along with research links.

Kidney stones are a commonly known side effect of oxalate toxicity, but many people are unaware of the other serious symptoms oxalates can create.

Over-consumption of oxalates can lead to joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, genital and rectal pain, and other health issues.

Oxalate toxicity was uncovered over 100 years ago, yet few doctors are aware of the impact oxalates can have on human health, which is why I’m talking with Sally K. Norton, author of Toxic Superfoods, How Oxalate Overload is Making You Sick and How to Get Better.

Sally K. Norton holds a nutrition degree from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Public Health. She uses a research-based approach to teaching about a simple way to reverse even serious health complaints with diet, by avoiding large quantities of natural toxic chemicals and crystals called oxalates. Oxalates are found in many of the foods we think are good for us. Much of her work involves re-educating people who have suffered from illnesses as a result from eating foods that are packed with oxalates.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What oxalates are and how they create deposits in your body over time
• How oxalates impact the body across multiple organ systems and are even neurotoxic
• How oxalates both exacerbate and cause gut issues
• The “superfoods” that could actually be making you sick
• Why you may have periods of being symptomatic long after limiting oxalates in your diet

Click here to read the full article as well as resources and research links.

Our world is filled with dis- mis- and mal- information.

I am amazed at how many articles and papers have diametrically opposed views about copper and zinc. So no wonder people are confused about the role these important nutrients play in human health. 

To be clear copper isn't bad and zinc isn't bad. Ideally, we want them in healthy, functional ranges. But myriad factors, including genetic susceptibility and environmental insults, are common among people that have an inability to regulate metals appropriately, especially copper.

When copper is elevated, it becomes a pro-inflammatory agent and can cause a wide variety of issues, including dysregulation of estrogen receptors, leading to PMS and PMDD, high anxiety, depression, ADHD, and even fibromyalgia to name a few.

Today I’m joined again by Dr. Judith Bowman to discuss the role copper and zinc play in regulating mood, hormone, and immune system function.

Judith Bowman, MD co-founded Mensah Medical in 2008 with her colleague, Albert Mensah, MD. Dr. Bowman combines traditional medicine with the biochemical approach to treat the symptoms of behavioral and cognitive disorders, autism spectrum disorder, depression (including postpartum depression), anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other biochemical imbalances.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why zinc is critical for enzyme production, cell reproduction, and methylation
• How zinc supports your body’s ability to regulate minerals and metals in your cells
• Why a healthy balance of zinc and copper is essential for mood regulation
• The testing that can accurately reflect your zinc and copper levels, and the tests that are often misinterpreted
• Copper’s links to reproductive cancers and tumor growth

Click here to read the full transcript as well as research and studies.

If you’re a parent with an extreme picky eater, meals can be an incredibly frustrating experience.

Which is why today, I’m talking with Jenny Friedman about picky eating, food aversions, and how parents can better understand and navigate supporting their picky eaters and take some of the stress out of mealtimes.

Jenny Friedman, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian who specializes in pediatric extreme picky eating. Known for her playful and approachable style. Jenny is a leading resource for parents and professionals working with children who struggle to eat. She is the author of Stories of Extreme Picky Eating and shares her insight on her website and blog.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How the “clean plate club” mentality or bargaining around foods can backfire
• Ways to help your picky eater feel comfortable and confident in trying new foods
• Why your child needs consistent meal and snack times
• How playing with food can help kids engage with uncomfortable textures or sensations on their own terms
• How to model healthy eating for older kids

Click here for resources.

If you’re struggling with constant brain fog and fatigue despite lifestyle and dietary changes, biotoxin illness due to mold exposure may be to blame.

Mycotoxins are dangerous byproducts of some molds and can be stored in your body’s fatty tissues. It’s something I commonly see in women with breast implants and autoimmune disease.

Today, Dr. Lauren Tessier joins me for a very important conversation about biotoxin illness resulting from mold exposure.

Dr. Lauren Tessier, is a naturopathic physician in Waterbury, Vermont. Her practice, Life After Mold, services those suffering from multi-symptom, multi-system illness, complicated by comorbid conditions such as multiple chemical sensitivities, mast cell activation syndrome, and chronic infections- including Lyme and co-infections.

Dr. Tessier serves clients from all over the world, via in-office medical care or through educational wellness consults; she also provides one on one private training for practitioners looking to improve upon their mold-literate clinical skills.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The four main types of illnesses that can come from mold exposure
• Why mold-related illnesses can be so hard to differentiate from other diseases such as Lyme
• How mycotoxins impact your brain, nervous system, immune system and more
• What you need to know about talking to your doctor about mycotoxin-related illness

Click here for resources.

In celebration of Eat for Life’s 50th episode, I’m exploring food.

What role does your relationship with food play in your life? Do you see it as good, bad, or neutral? Do you eat to live or live to eat?

Is food merely a means to an end or could it have a deeper significance than what the mainstream narrative tells us?

And what really is food, anyway?

How have we gotten so far away from the most basic definition of what food is, to an industrialized food supply that is making us sicker?

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How industrialization has impacted our food supply and led to nutrient-deficient foods
• The evolution of beauty ideals and their impact on how and why we eat today
• The long history of the diet industry
• Why we need to learn to listen to our bodies for how food makes us feel

Click here for the full list of resources and studies.

Have you ever watched a vegan documentary and been so sickened and repulsed that you decided then and there to go vegan?

I know I have. And I was vegan for many years until my health fell apart.

While it’s evident that factory farming isn’t the answer, the politically-charged vegan agenda isn’t either.

As I shared in Episode 50, I’m deeply committed to asking big questions about food sustainability and its impact on our health. 

So today, I’m sharing an in-depth conversation with James Connolly, the producer of the documentary Sacred Cow.

James Connolly is an artist, chef, non-profit founder, and documentary film producer with Archer Gray Productions. He co-founded The Bubble Foundation, a non-profit focused on issues of wellness and food insecurity in inner-city public schools. 

James’ most recent film is Sacred Cow: The Nutritional, Environmental and Ethical Case for Better Meat, directed by Diana Rodgers.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The development of industrialized agriculture in response to the real need to feed more people, and the consequences to nutrition and climate that we live with today
• Why we have to talk about race in the history of farming and agricultural policy in America
• What the animal welfare movement gets right about industrial agriculture and why highly-processed plant-based foods aren’t the answer
• How the rebranding of vegan to plant-based by massive corporate interests impacts our food system and nutrition

Click here for resources.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. 

And all too often, women are told that hormonal birth control is the best treatment option.

Today, I invited Dr. Felice Gersh back to the show to discuss PCOS and why the pill is not the answer, the different types of PCOS, and the role diet and the gut microbiome play in treating this disorder.

Dr. Felice Gersh is board certified in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She taught as an assistant clinical professor at the Keck USC School of Medicine for 12 years and is the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, California.

A globally recognized expert on women’s health, Dr. Gersh regularly speaks at conferences around the world and is also the best-selling author of PCOS SOS and her most recent book, Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know about what to expect during the three phases of menopause.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How estrogen plays a role throughout the body and how that impacts the varied symptoms of PCOS
• How hormonal birth control masks symptoms but can actually make systemic issues worse
• The connection between PCOS, gut dysbiosis, and autoimmune disorders
• How PCOS impacts fertility, pregnancy, and infants

Learn more about Dr. Felice Gersh:

• Integrative Medical Group of Irvine
• Instagram: @Dr.FeliceGersh
• Facebook: @IntegrativeMGI

Click here to read my full article about PCOS and the list of research studies.

Many people are confused about how to balance hormones and are overwhelmed by all the misinformation about bioidentical hormone therapy for both men and women.

It’s easy to be confused because the symptoms of an excess hormone can also mimic symptoms of deficiency. Plus many people are unaware of the role diet and your gut microbiome play in regulating hormones and how nutrient deficiencies and overloads can upset this delicate balance.

But understanding these relationships doesn’t have to be so complicated. That’s why I’m honored to have pharmacist and bioidentical hormone expert Jim Paoletti on the show.

Jim Paoletti, B.S. Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP is an independent clinical consultant on hormones, nutrition, and wellness. Jim has 40 years of experience with bioidentical hormone therapies in clinical practice, both in retail pharmacy and as a consultant and educator. Jim served previously as Director of Provider Education for ZRT Laboratory, Beaverton, Oregon, and as consultant and Education Director for Professional Compounding Centers of America of Houston, TX.

He is a graduate and former faculty member of the Fellowship of Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. Jim has lectured extensively and internationally on all aspects of compounding and BHRT to medical practitioners and consumers, and has several articles published on BHRT and compounding pharmacy issues.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why symptoms alone aren’t enough to assess hormone imbalances and treatment 
• Why gut and microbiome health is the first step to hormone health
• What we get wrong about men’s hormonal balances
• How long-term use of synthetic estrogen impacts the body and why it’s not always a simple switch to bioidenticals
• What types of testing your provider should use to accurately assess hormone levels

Click here for the full transcript and list of resources.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

In 2014, it was estimated that 14 million people in the US alone were impacted by this disorder. And women are seven times more likely than men to have Hashimoto’s.

When left untreated can create a cascade of debilitating symptoms, which is why today's conversation with pharmacist Donna Mazola is so important.

We talk about the four pillars to reversing autoimmune disease and being empowered to take control of your own health.

Donna Mazzola, is a Pharmacist who has always had a fascination with natural healing and preventative care. After obtaining a Doctorate in Pharmacy, Donna realized that medicine has a place in healing, but it's the balance between nutrition and medicine that impacts disease. This fascination became an obsession after a personal diagnosis with Hashimotos in 2015.

Her disease pushed her to embark on a journey to seek answers and identify the root cause related to the rise in autoimmune and other inflammatory chronic conditions. On this journey she obtained a Master’s degree in Functional Medicine and Human Nutrition and gave birth to Dr.AutoimmuneGirl, her persona and passion to empower people with the knowledge to take control of their health. Donna is on a mission to educate the world on the healing powers of food and give meaning to the concept of food as medicine. 

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why healing your gut is the first step in managing autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s
• The micronutrients your body needs to effectively generate thyroid hormones and why many of us are deficient in them
• Why you need a “control what you can control” approach to environmental toxins
• How stress impacts inflammation and proven ways to mitigate it

Click here for links and resources.

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, an estimated 27 million Americans have thyroid disease, and more than half of those individuals are undiagnosed and unaware that they have a thyroid condition.

However, it’s important to understand that if more comprehensive thyroid testing was used by doctors and functional reference ranges were used to interpret that testing instead of the overly lax lab reference ranges, a much larger number of people would be classified as having some type of thyroid dysfunction.

Most doctors rely almost exclusively on the thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH test to detect thyroid dysfunction, yet TSH is not even technically a marker of thyroid function, it’s actually a marker of pituitary function. Even worse, the medical community can’t even agree on what the normal reference range is for the TSH test.

My other issue with conventional medicine is its refusal to actually look at underlying causes of thyroid dysfunction including but not limited to gut inflammation, chronic stress, adrenal issues, nutrient deficiencies, toxins in our food, air, and water, and chronic infections such as periodontal disease and h. Pylori.

The thyroid’s primary function is to control the body’s metabolism – the rate at which cells perform duties essential to living. It manages how we turn our food into energy by facilitating the processes of energy production in the mitochondria. I want you to think of your thyroid as your body’s “engine,” which sets the pace at which the body operates. Too little thyroid hormone can cause the body’s systems to slow down, and too much thyroid hormone can cause the body’s systems to speed up.

In today’s episode, I’ve brought back my friend and pharmacist Jim Paoletti to talk about this amazing gland that does so much for us. In fact, there’s not a single cell in the body that doesn’t depend on thyroid hormone in some way.

Jim Paoletti, B.S. Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP is an independent clinical consultant on hormones, nutrition, and wellness. Jim has 40 years of experience with bio-identical hormone therapies in clinical practice, both in retail pharmacy and as a consultant and educator. Jim served previously as Director of Provider Education for ZRT Laboratory, Beaverton, Oregon, and as consultant and Education Director for Professional Compounding Centers of America of Houston, TX.

He is a graduate and former faculty member of the Fellowship of Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. Jim has lectured extensively and internationally on all aspects of compounding and BHRT to medical practitioners and consumers, and has several articles published on BHRT and compounding pharmacy issues.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why your doctor may be relying on testing that provides an incomplete picture of thyroid function
• How laboratory reference ranges don’t reflect optimal functional ranges that end up leaving patients frustrated and without resolution
• Why assessing adrenal function is key to evaluating and treating thyroid issues
• Why synthetic vs natural thyroid hormone replacement is misleading

Click here to read the full transcript and resources.

Are amalgam fillings really safe? Do antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride-based toothpaste live up to their claims? What about Waterpiks and flossing up into the gumline?

Is it possible that these conventional approaches to oral health create more problems?

The relationship between your gut and oral microbiome is profound, so it stands to reason that it’s important to investigate the role poor diet, gut infections, and nutrient deficiencies play in gum disease and overall health.

So today, I’m talking with Dr. Al Danenberg about what conventional dentistry doesn’t consider when it comes to treating and preventing gum disease and how we can best care for our oral health.

Dr. Al Danenberg goes by “Dr. Al”. He is a periodontist and was in private practice for 44 years. He incorporated ancestral nutrition & lifestyle with his leading-edge laser protocol to treat periodontal disease. 

Currently, Dr. Al consults with patients all over the world regarding animal-based nutrition, lifestyle, oral & overall health, and the importance of a healthy gut and immune system. 

Content warning: Brief, non-graphic mention of verbal and sexual abuse.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How conventional dentistry treats symptoms of oral health issues but doesn’t address root causes
• The three main functions of healthy dental plaque
• The relationship between gum disease, gut dysbiosis, and chronic inflammation
• How to gently and effectively care for your teeth, gums, and tongue

Click here for resources.

Pregnancy is one of the most magical moments in a woman's life. It feels powerful to know that you are creating another human inside of you. It is a very exciting and enjoyable time that may also bring fears and uncertainties to both mother and baby.

A woman's body is forever altered by pregnancy. Without proper nutrients, it can be weakened by the physical and psychological changes in pregnancy and childbirth, making mothers-to-be more at risk in future pregnancies. This is why access to prenatal care is vital to every pregnant woman.

Equally important is postpartum care, which helps mothers adjust to the changes their bodies go through. Postpartum care also includes making sure that the social and emotional changes caused by giving birth are addressed.

Today, cesarean (C-section) intervention is 500% higher than in the 1970s. Not surprisingly, we’ve also seen higher maternal mortality rates. One in three babies are born via C-section, compared to 1 in 20 in the mid-1970s.

Though a very common procedure, C-section is still major surgery with a wide range of complications including organ injury, hemorrhage, and a three-fold higher rate of infection. Despite the risks, hospitals often push for C-section birth because it costs less money to perform a C-section and they are paid more in insurance reimbursements.

In today’s episode, Dr. Lindsay Mumma and I talk about preparing for pregnancy, birthing, postpartum care, and our grave concerns about COVID injections for children and pregnant women.

Lindsay Mumma, DC, is the owner of Triangle Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center in Raleigh, NC, a multidisciplinary practice she opened in 2012 after graduating with a Clinical Excellence Award. She began her career with a focus on sports rehab, but when she wanted to get pregnant, she realized the approach of prehabilitation and rehabilitation techniques was irrelevant to (and missing from) most perinatal care.

Please note: for the next several weeks I will be taking some time off for self-care and to create more amazing content for you. Thank you for your patience and for being a loyal listener.

Take a seat and listen to this very important conversation, especially if you are a mom or are about to embark on a new parenting journey.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Lindsay’s turning point to specialize in prenatal and postpartum care
• Why natural birth is better than surgical birth
• The challenges of surgical birth
• Why taking medications during pregnancy can be problematic
• The concerns about scheduling birth as a trend
• Ways to prepare for a natural birth
• How COVID-19 injections affect mother and child

Click here for the full list of resources and studies mentioned.

We have been told many times over that exposing your skin to the sun is a big no-no, and sunscreens are the way to go. But in reality, there are tons of sunscreen dangers that we may be ignoring, slowly and painfully killing our bodies – and the entire environment.

Samantha Gilbert talks with Dr. Elizabeth Plourde to discuss the life-threatening effects of sunscreen chemicals. She dives deep into its devastating impact on marine life, its contribution to the upwards trend of melanoma cases, and how it causes hormonal imbalances that mess up children’s sexual maturation.

Dr. Elizabeth also explains why every single person must become an active and knowledgeable health advocate, especially when sunscreen manufacturers try to pass their products as completely safe.

Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Plourde, C.L.S., NCMP, Ph.D.

Website: Best EMF Products

Elizabeth’s Sunscreen Books 

Elizabeth’s Books:

• EMF Freedom: Solutions for the 21st Century Pollution – 3rd Edition 2018
• Sunscreens – Biohazard 2: Proof of Toxicity Keeps Piling Up 2018
• Sunscreens – Biohazard: Treat As Hazardous Waste 2012
• Hysterectomy: The Best or Worst Thing that Ever Happened to Me? 2003
• Your Guide to Hysterectomy, Ovary Removal & Hormone Replacement 2002

Click here to read the full transcript and research links.

Do you worry about mold and mycotoxin exposure? Well, it’s no wonder. The statistics are quite sobering. In fact, almost half of houses in the United States have significant levels of mold, and close to 90 percent of commercial and office buildings have water damage that may lead to mold. What’s more, up to 21 percent of asthma cases may be attributed to toxic mold. With all the risks, it's inevitable that mold and mycotoxin myths abound.

In this episode, I talk about the top mold and mycotoxin myths with Jason Earle, a nationally recognized expert in mold, mold remediation, building science, and healthy homes. We tend to think of mold as the enemy, but it’s more nuanced than that. Mold when it’s outdoors is beneficial as it turns plant matter into dirt. It’s nature’s great recycler. However, when mold is indoors, it wreaks havoc on our buildings and our health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How mold spores can be particularly harmful to those who are highly sensitive to them.
• Why common mold tests on the market are not reliable.
• How you can use your five senses to detect mold.
• The questions you should ask mold remediation companies when you're looking for a reputable mold remediation company.
• The ultimate goal of mold remediation.
• The #1 source of mycotoxin exposure; the answer may surprise you!

Click here to read the full transcript.

Get 10% off your Got Mold test kit using coupon code EATFORLIFE10

Get $15 off your first Medify Air purifier using coupon code EATFORLIFE15

 We spend at least ninety percent of our time indoors. So the effects of volatile organic compounds, know as VOCs, on indoor air quality and the resultant effect on your health, vitality, cognition, productivity, and longevity are profound.

Hence, understanding how this process works, what to look for, and how you can protect yourself is priceless.

After having watched several of my clients suffer from the consequences of poor indoor air quality has made me appreciate the importance of good air quality even more. In fact, according to the American Lung Association, poor indoor air quality can lead to the development of lung cancer, infections, and even chronic lung diseases such as asthma.

Today I’m joined again by Jason Earle to talk about VOCs, air purifiers, how you can test that your indoor air problem has cleared, and so much more.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What VOCs are, which ones are harmful, and where you can find them
• The effects of VOCs on indoor air quality and the effects on your health
• How you can protect yourself against VOCs
• The importance of indoor microbial diversity for good health
• How to tell if mold remediation has been successful

Click here to read the full transcript.

Get 10% off your Got Mold test kit using coupon code EATFORLIFE10

Get $15 off your first Medify Air purifier using coupon code EATFORLIFE15

On December 29, 1987 Prozac was approved by the FDA. I was 12 years old at the time and one of the first children to be put on this medication. Despite an initial feeling of relief, the results were short lived and came with nasty side effects that led me to discontinue it.

I would suffer for another 20 years before finally figuring out the root causes of my severe depression and often suicidal ideation. A combination of two little known conditions: copper toxicity and undermethylation, both of which have a profound affect on thinking, feeling, and behavior. I was able to treat these conditions with nutrient and dietary therapy, which saved my life.

To learn more about both of these conditions and the other chemistries I work with in my clinic, please listen to Episode 2 How Nutrient Deficiencies and Overloads Impact the Brain and Body. I also have many free articles here on my website that provide a deep-dive into how they impact us in so many ways.

This is a very important and personal episode for me because depression and mental illness continue to rise despite all the drugs available today to treat them. Drugs that don't and never did have the necessary safety studies to ascertain their validity.

In fact, a historical review of the scientific literature reveals how antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs, over the long term, increase the risk that a person will become chronically depressed and functionally impaired, which correlates with what we are seeing worldwide.

Today I'm talking with founder and president of the Mad In America Foundation, Robert (Bob) Whitaker, to discuss the history and effects of psychotropic drugs.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The history of psychiatric drugs
• The skyrocketing number of people disabled by mental illness
• How industry-funded randomized clinical trials are always biased in favor of the drug
• Who benefits from the distribution and use of psychiatric drugs
• How psychotropic drugs (including SSRIs, stimulants such as Ritalin, and benzodiazepines) affect the brain

Click here to read the full transcript along with links to Bob's website, books, and research.

As late as the 1950’s The Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Surgery had an editorial suggesting that all women should have a hysterectomy after their childbearing years. It seems the general consensus among doctors was that a woman's reproductive organs are good for only one thing: childbearing, and after a woman has had all the children she wants, these organs are expendable, which then led to a worldwide push to perform these surgeries at an alarming rate. The highest rates are in the United States, followed by Canada and Australia.

I realize today's show may be a trigger for some of you, but the topic of reproductive health is just too important not to discuss, so I brought back Dr. Elizabeth Plourde, a clinical laboratory scientist and North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner, to the show. In addition to being a practitioner and scientist who worked with hormone testing, and cutting edge cancer and DNA medical research laboratories, she spent over a decade researching women's hormones, learning how women's bodies function.

From that research and those findings, she wrote Your Guide to Hysterectomy, Ovary Removal and Hormone Replacement, which explains how our ovarian hormones are critically important to maintain healthy tissues and women's bodies.

20 years after her book was published, we now have studies published in 2021 and 2022 medical journals confirming her conclusions that our ovarian hormones are important throughout our lives and well past menopause. The studies confirm her findings that women who have had their ovaries removed and do not take hormone replacement die younger with heart disease than women who take hormones.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why women who have had their ovaries removed and do not take hormone replacement die younger with heart disease than women who take hormones
• The important role ovarian hormones play in keeping our tissues healthy and eliminating debilitating osteoporosis
• Why looking at root causes of excessive bleeding, fibroids, and cancer are the keys to healing
• Questions to ask your doctor if you are considering a hysterectomy

Click here to read the full transcript along with links to Elizabeth’s website, books, and research.

It's easy to get sidelined in your healing process and think you're having a particular detox reaction, die-off, or herx response that is actually something else. Or perhaps there's an underlying trigger that you're not quite seeing that's holding you back.

So as we usher in 2023, I've brought my friend, Steven Wright of the Healthy Gut Company, back on the show to talk about die-off and detoxification, what it is and what it isn't, and how you can best support yourself through this process, especially if you are working with a practitioner.

For years, Steven Wright struggled with a wide variety of severe digestive problems, which led him to create the SCD Lifestyle, and now the Healthy Gut Company.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What an actual die-off or herxheimer reaction is and how long it should last
• How food sensitivities are often misconstrued as a die-off reaction
• Why keeping a food mood journal is an important part of the healing process
• How trauma, emotions, and your environment impact your gut microbiome
• How supportive therapies such as digestive enzymes, HCL, and postbiotics can minimize symptoms
• Expert tips on learning how to listen to your body's cues for more effective healing

Click here to read the full transcript along with a code for $15 off your Healthy Gut Company order and free shipping.

America has a food problem. The food supply is tainted, and it's making us sick and creating major health problems for our children. But even more heartbreaking is that we are losing our freedom due to this madness. I really hope today's two-part episode opens your eyes to the truth of what's happening.

Regulatory agencies are supposed to advocate for our safety. Sadly, the opposite is true. If we look around, we see a global push towards more and more lab-manufactured Franken foods, including insects that harbor harmful parasites and allergy-inducing compounds, while demonizing our farmers and ranchers. The convenience of fast food is not worth the price you pay to be miserable.

Today I'm talking with friend and Author, Dr. Sina McCullough, about the many ways our food supply is corrupted, and how we are being exposed to a wide variety of toxins without our knowledge and consent. We also talk about manipulative food labeling, the gluten-free corn 

illusion, the truth about organic requirements and so much more.

In this episode, we discuss

• The many ways our food supply is corrupted
• How food sensitivities are often misconstrued as a die-off reaction
• How we are being exposed to a wide variety of toxins without our knowledge and consent.
• Manipulative food labeling
• The gluten-free corn illusion
• The truth about organic requirements and so much more

Click here to read the full transcript and links.

Welcome to part two of my conversation with Dr. Sina McCullough, researcher and author of Hands Off My Food, a book about how government and industry have corrupted our food and easy ways to fight back.

In part one, we talked about Sina's amazing healing journey and recovery from a severe autoimmune condition and how a gluten-free diet gave her arsenic poisoning. We also discussed the revolving door between Big Ag and our regulatory agencies, which are supposed to advocate for our safety. 

Today, Sina and I talk more about manipulative food labeling and what you can do to protect yourself. Sina is the creator of the online program Go Wild: How to Reverse Chronic and Autoimmune Disease, which teaches people how to reverse chronic and autoimmune diseases in a step-by-step manner. She is also an expert in nutrition, disease reversal, functional medicine, exercise physiology, and energy medicine, as well as a certified natural healer, master herbalist, and gluten-free society practitioner.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why chemical additives in our food is cause for concern
• How GRAS labeling provides a false sense of security
• Why sick children are more valuable in the health care system than a healthy child
• Uncomplicating the marketing behind Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished Meat
• Why the EU has banned chicken from America
• The scary truth about plastic
• Why hydroponic vegetables do not provide the same nutrients as soil-grown vegetables

Click here to read the full transcript.