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
I’ve been watching the science behind Calocurb evolve over the last year, and I have to say—this is one of the most exciting clinical tools I’ve seen emerge in the metabolic space in quite some time. A hops-derived compound that stimulates endogenous GLP-1, CCK, and PYY—without a prescription or injection? That’s a big deal, especially for patients struggling with appetite regulation, weight plateaus, or the aftermath of GLP-1 discontinuation.
Before we dive in—I just want to say thank you. Ten years of New Frontiers wouldn’t have been possible without your support, your curiosity, and your commitment to moving this field forward. I’m so excited to share this conversation with Romilly. ~ DrKF
With thanks to Romilly Hodges, CNS, for her contributions to this article. I’m not here to fan the flames of controversy, but I do believe in asking smart, systems-oriented questions—especially when we’re talking about chemicals that may be added to something as essential as drinking water. Fluoride is one of those topics that sits right…
This is a really exciting conversation with Dr. Davide D’Amico from Timeline, where we’re taking a closer look at Urolithin A and heart health. It should come as no surprise that this mitochondrial wonderkin of a nutrient is showing promise here—especially when you consider that 40% of the heart’s weight is mitochondria. That’s an extraordinary factoid, and one that really shifts how we think about aging in the cardiovascular system.
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Kirsten FitzGerald*, DNP, FNP-BC, has joined the clinical team at the New Frontiers Functional Medicine Clinic. With a strong background in functional and integrative medicine, Dr. Kirsten brings a thoughtful, science-backed approach to healing that perfectly aligns with our clinic’s mission: to provide personalized, root-cause care that empowers patients to take charge of their health.
This episode is a little different from what we usually cover on New Frontiers, but it’s one I couldn’t wait to bring to you. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we—as clinicians—are supposed to keep up in this era of high-throughput technology. We’re swimming in data: labs, multi-omics, diet logs… and an ever-growing stream from wearables. There’s just so much coming at us, and too often, we’re awash in a sea of information without adequate interpretive power.
In many ways, the legal side of functional medicine can feel like the Wild West—uncertain, unregulated, and full of risks. The reality is, we all want to have our practices legally buttoned up, but navigating the legal landscape can feel overwhelming—and expensive. What Scott Rattigan, creator of Functional Lawyer, shares in this episode is a real game-changer. He not only breaks down the complexities of the legal side of things but also offers real solutions for us—solutions that can make sure we’re covered without the stress and uncertainty that often comes with it. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your established practice, you’re going to get actionable insights on how to avoid common legal pitfalls, protect your practice, and actually move forward with confidence. It’s a topic that’s been an unmet need for so long, and I’m so excited to bring this to you. ~DrKF
I was blown away to learn that bitter melon, a primary component of the Okinawan diet and a common ingredient in many East Asian recipes, contains approximately 964 mg polyphenols in each gram of ripe fruit. I think bitter melon makes an excellent addition to the Younger You program.
Recent peer-reviewed research on the Younger You program reveals that: The Younger You program can increase your intake of beneficial, phytonutrient-dense foods more than other diet programs studied for their beneficial effects on bio age (like the Mediterranean diet).
There’s a red flag I’ve learned to pay close attention to in clinical practice—and it’s not just elevated homocysteine or a sluggish DUTCH test. It’s when a new patient mentions they live on or near a golf course.
