Kara Fitzgerald, ND, received her doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She completed the first Counsel on Naturopathic Medicine-accredited post-doctorate position in nutritional biochemistry and laboratory science at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory under the direction of Richard Lord, PhD. Her residency was completed at Progressive Medical Center, a large, integrative medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Fitzgerald is the lead author and editor of Case Studies in Integrative and Functional Medicine and is a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)’s Textbook for Functional Medicine. With the Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on the DNA methylome using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her practice. The first publication from the study focuses on reversal of biological aging and was published 04-12-2021 in the journal Aging. She has published a consumer book titled Younger You as well as a companion cookbook, Better Broths and Healing Tonics and has an application-based Younger You Program, based on the study. Dr. Fitzgerald is on the faculty at IFM, is an IFM Certified Practitioner and lectures globally on functional medicine. She runs a Functional Nutrition Residency program, and maintains a podcast series, New Frontiers in Functional Medicine and an active blog on her website, www.drkarafitzgerald.com. Her clinical practice is in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Additional publications

Metabolic Engineering: The Science Behind Staying in the Zone with Dr. Barry Sears

Dr. Barry Sears (of Zone Diet Fame) on Lifetime Metabolic Health and Sourcing Omega-3s

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to speak with Dr. Barry Sears, the creator of the Zone Diet, an approach that has not only topped bestseller lists multiple times but has also profoundly impacted nutritional practices really across the world. We dive into his transition from cancer research to nutritional science, focusing on how diet regulates the key areas of inflammation and hormonal balance. Dr. Sears shares insights from his groundbreaking work, exploring the balance of macronutrients and the pivotal role of omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols. His contributions have revolutionized how we understand diet’s impact on health, offering valuable strategies for managing chronic diseases and optimizing wellness globally. You’ll find many clinical pearls in this conversation. Join us as I uncover the science and stories behind this influential dietary philosophy with this legend of nutrition and wellness. ~DrKF

processed foods

Ultra-Processed Foods Spell Disaster for Longevity

Of course we always say “shop the perimeter” of your grocery store, and skip buying anything with industrial ingredients you wouldn’t normally find in your kitchen. Avoid added sugars, colors, preservatives, synthetic vitamins like folic acid… and avoid additives like MSG and carrageenan. Even if these are labeled organic and especially if they are not. Here’s why:

medical research into spermidine

Spermidine & other polyamines: Important players in longevity? Yes… with a few caveats

As the name implies, spermidine was first characterized in sperm, and while there is a high concentration present in semen (and it appears important for fertility), it’s everywhere- in all eukaryotic cells. In fact, wind the evolutionary clock back to the earliest endosymbiotic happenings, you’ll find spermidine and the broader family of polyamines on center stage, playing a central role in the development of… life. Indeed, bacteria, archaea and plants (and even viruses) all rely on polyamines. These facts alone illustrate the obvious: polyamines are important. Attribution for the discovery of spermine (the polyamine metabolite of spermidine) is given to Anton Leeuwenhoek, the father of microscopy, in 1678.

Unraveling PCOS and Fertility: Debunking Common Misconceptions with Dr. Tara Harding

Unraveling PCOS and Fertility: Debunking Common Misconceptions with Dr. Tara Harding

Fellow clinicians, gear up for an enlightening dive with Dr. Tara Harding, a vanguard in the realm of women’s health and fertility. Renowned for her exceptional work as a family nurse practitioner and fertility coach, Dr. Harding brings a wealth of knowledge from her battle against infertility and medical gaslighting, all while breaking barriers and fostering a supportive community for those navigating the complex journey of infertility. This conversation not only highlights innovative diagnostic tools like Mira but also delves into the nuances of managing conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. Dr. Harding’s personal and professional journey is a beacon of hope and empowerment, underscoring the significance of comprehensive care in women’s health. Prepare to be inspired by her dedication to revolutionizing fertility care and advocating for patient empowerment.

AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of Personalized Medicine Interventions with Dr. Nathan Price

AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of Personalized Medicine Interventions with Dr. Nathan Price

I’m beyond thrilled to share this mind-blowing conversation with Dr. Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer of Thorne HealthTech and author of The Age of Scientific Wellness. Imagine harnessing AI to predict outcomes of our functional interventions (diet, supplements, lifestyle) by implementing a “digital twin” model that is populated with all of your patient’s bio data. Being able to test the response of our treatments (and importantly, the synergistic response of multimodal interventions! It’s heady stuff, but amazingly, it is where we are headed today. Dr. Price illuminates the incredible potential this technology brings for personalized evidence-based medicine in nutrition, tailoring interventions based on microbial markers, and addressing lifestyle changes for Alzheimer’s prevention. The podcast is a captivating exploration of cutting-edge concepts and provides a glimpse into the exciting future of healthcare. I was wowed by my convo with Nathan and can’t wait to start kicking the tires on this baby. I know you’ll feel the same.

Decoding Aging: The Science Of Cellular Rejuvenation With Dr. Vittorio Sebastiano

Decoding Aging: The Science Of Cellular Rejuvenation With Dr. Vittorio Sebastiano

It was a career-defining (and perhaps life changing) moment when Dr. Vittorio Sebastiano, a reproductive biologist by training, realized that because we are able to create life, that same body of information could be harnessed to create youth – that is, radically reverse our biological aging process to a younger time point without losing cellular identity. In 2014, he and his lab began unpacking this epiphany. They made the radical decision to conduct their investigations in human cells and tissue rather than in rodents, with the expectation that such a start would be a better bridge to human clinical trials. Flash forward a decade and Dr. Sebastiano and his team stand poised to begin trials in humans. Dr. Sebastiano is, in my opinion, one of the most extraordinary scientists in the longevity space today who flies under the radar of most of us in functional medicine.

Advanced Metabolomics: Identifying the Metabolic Signature for Aging with Betsy Redmond, Ph.D., MMSc, RDN

Advanced Metabolomics: Identifying the Metabolic Signature for Aging with Betsy Redmond, Ph.D., MMSc, RDN

As functional practitioners, we’re compelled to understand the intricate changes in the aging journey that fuel the diseases we strive to prevent. The emergence of omics data, particularly metabolomics, marks a pivotal moment, and I’m thrilled to welcome back Dr. Betsy Redmond, a senior education specialist at Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory and a cherished friend, to New Frontiers. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of metabolomics, emphasizing pathways over isolated metabolites for profound insights and more effective interventions. Welcome to Medicine 3.0, where we correct imbalances, identify metabolites linked to healthy aging, mood, gut health, and more, providing actionable steps to enhance both healthspan and lifespan. Plus, we’ll unravel some surprising insights from my own results! Join us for a wealth of valuable pearls to use in your practice. ~DrKF

2023

Best of 2023 in Functional Medicine and Longevity

As 2023 draws to a close, here’s the content you liked most this year, and as usual it aligns with what we loved as well. Going beyond longevity and epigenetics, this year we covered a wide range of cutting-edge topics – from SPMs, urolithin A and OS-01 peptides, to nuanced thinking and recontextualizing established themes such…

Burnout in Healthcare: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions with Dr. Jonathan Prousky

Burnout in Healthcare: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions with Dr. Jonathan Prousky

In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, healthcare practitioners have been working tirelessly to care for their patients. But what about their own health and well-being? Today, I am delighted to welcome back Dr. Jonathan Prousky, Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, to the New Frontiers Podcast. As a repeat guest and leading expert in personalized mental health strategies, Dr. Prousky offers valuable insights into the challenges facing healthcare practitioners today, especially in terms of the hidden epidemic of physician burnout. In this episode, we explore practical solutions to help healthcare practitioners maintain their own health and well-being while providing care to others. We also touch on the three hallmark signs of burnout and discuss the latest advances in targeted supplementation to manage underlying chronic stress in the workplace. Dr. Prousky’s expertise and practical tips make this an episode you won’t want to miss. As always, please feel free to share, comment, and rate – and let us know your thoughts on this important topic. ~DrKF