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
This month: Yes, yes, yes: intensive lifestyle interventions (4 papers); omega-3 fatty acids and exercise all WORK on preventing and/or reversing cognitive impairment, including in those with genetic risk (including APOE4). Do adipocytes house epigenetic memory leading to the inevitable weight regaining phenomenon we have long seen? The longevity potential of phytonutrients (you know I am bullish here!). And what about that wildly popular Nature Aging paper on aging happening in two bursts—am I hanging up the towel when I hit 60? (Short answer: no.)
I was thrilled to finally sit down with Dr. Greg Fahy, whose groundbreaking work in aging has truly reshaped our understanding of what’s possible. His 2019 TRIIM study, showing clear biological age reversal through thymus regeneration, was a game-changer. The scientific community was stunned, and rightly so—this was the first real evidence that we can turn back the clock on aging. But Dr. Fahy isn’t stopping there. His ongoing studies hold incredible implications for the future, from potentially reversing autoimmunity to avoiding transplant rejection. Even more exciting is the possibility of creating a standardized protocol that could help other clinicians use these principles in practice. We’re on the brink of something truly revolutionary, and I’m already looking forward to having him back to hear what’s next. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of longevity. ~DrKF
The brain’s ability to recover after trauma is astonishing—and often overlooked in conventional care. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, I sit down with Dr. David Musnick, a long-time friend and brilliant clinician, to explore how we can unlock the brain’s full potential for healing. Dr. Musnick challenges the standard of care for traumatic brain injuries and post-concussion syndrome, introducing a functional medicine approach that integrates advanced tools like Frequency-Specific Microcurrent, targeted nutritional strategies, and personalized interventions. His insights into the stages of recovery, the importance of addressing neuroinflammation, and the role of the gut-brain connection were a true “aha” for me. We also dive into groundbreaking methods for reversing secondary brain damage, a concept that could change everything for patients and practitioners alike. This conversation is packed with actionable takeaways and hope for those navigating brain injuries, cognitive impairment, or persistent post-concussion symptoms. You don’t want to miss it.~DrKF
“What if the key to optimizing hormone therapy isn’t just in the hormones themselves, but in understanding the way they break down in the body?” In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Dr. Allison Smith, a leader in hormone testing and a trusted expert at Precision Analytical, home of the DUTCH test. Dr. Smith’s work has helped revolutionize how we understand hormones, moving beyond simple serum testing to more comprehensive methods that examine how hormones are metabolized and how their breakdown products affect patient health.
How do we prevent cognitive decline before it even begins? The answer might not be what you think. I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Dr. Owen Phillips, a Stanford-trained neuroscientist and founder of BrainKey, who is helping to revolutionize brain care. His team is using AI technology to uncover subtle brain changes long before they result in disease—transforming the way we approach brain health. And here’s the kicker—Dr. Phillips reveals why protecting your brain actually starts with protecting your vasculature—No surprise when you consider it’s essential for feeding this power-hungry organ. This shift in thinking could change how we all approach cognitive health moving forward. We touch on heavy metal toxicity, long Covid, sports injuries and more, so if you’re ready to rethink brain health and prevention, this conversation will leave you with a fresh perspective. Be sure to grab a copy of the Brain Anatomy PDF and follow along for even more insights. ~DrKF
Happy holidays everyone! As you enjoy the festive season, I wanted to take a moment to share with you below some of the highlights from this past year here at Dr. Kara Fitzgerald. It’s been quite a 12 months, and I’ve been so honored by the participation and contributions of those who continue to work so hard to deepen our understanding of functional medicine, epigenetics, and longevity. I would like to call out some notable highlights for me including my conversations with the legendary Drs. Greg Fahy, Janine LaSalle, Artemis Simopoulos, and Vittorio Sebastiano. However, there were so many other heavy-hitters and I encourage you to look back over all the year’s content to see what you may have missed.
Talking with Dr. Julie Faitg was a powerful reminder of just how much we’re discovering about mitochondria and aging. When you pair an elite mitochondrial scientist with a breakthrough nutrient like Urolithin A, the insights go beyond what you’d expect. Julie gives us this incredible look into how we can actually change the course of aging at the cellular level. This conversation made me rethink what we know about supporting long-term health and resilience, and I think it will do the same for you. It’s one of those big-picture, eye-opening conversations that I can’t wait for you to hear.
Since my time in a laboratory at the start of my career in 2006, where I was a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine (including principal author on the Nutrient & Toxic Elements chapter), I have had lead on the brain, as it were. Given the fact that the research is pretty clear that ANY lead exposure is a problem (especially in kids and in pregnancy), I pay attention to lead – in all of my patients, in myself and my daughter. In my wider family. I am a firm believer that we need to make, at a minimum, an annual sweep of general toxin status in the body. And when we identify something, move forward with appropriate steps for removal and treatment.
Wow, I am beyond honored that the great Dr. Artemis Simopoulos joined me on New Frontiers. Basically, if you’re thinking about omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, it’s because of the pioneering work of this scientist. Hear how she figured out the importance of omega 3 fatty acids in a riveting tale of following the data, following hunches and importantly, asking the questions.
There’s so much to unpack in this episode—I’m excited to dive into it with you. We cover cutting-edge tools like MALDI-TOF technology, which gives us a whole new level of precision in identifying microbial species. We also explore the bi-directional relationship between GLP-1 production and gut dysbiosis—something you might not be considering enough in your metabolic patients. Chronic stress and its deep impact on gut health and secretory IgA also come into focus, offering key insights into gut permeability, inflammation, and immune health. And we tackle the challenging questions around Akkermansia—whether it’s high, low, and what those levels really mean clinically. There’s so much to gain for your practice, so download your GI360 Sample Report and let’s dive in! ~DrKF
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