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 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.
I’ve been looking forward to sharing this conversation with you because it’s one I’m truly passionate about. Today, we’re diving into the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock with one of its creators, the brilliant Dan Belsky. It’s a tool I use regularly with my patients, and one that’s transforming how we approach aging and interventions. While this show is a bit more technical than usual, the science is fascinating, and the real-world applications are incredibly valuable. This isn’t just about theory—it’s about practical insights that can change how we measure aging and track the effectiveness of the treatments we offer. Stick with us, and you’ll walk away with actionable knowledge that can make a difference in your practice. ~DrKF
Prompted by the increase in exposure to wildfire smoke, researchers at the University of New Mexico put together this graphical representation of how environmental toxins are known to affect the hallmarks of aging.
Osteoarthritis affects millions—chronic pain, limited mobility, and a dramatically reduced quality of life. But what if the answer isn’t just about treating the joint, but the inflammation driving the damage? In today’s episode, Kiran Krishnan, a leading microbiologist and advisor to Calroy Health Sciences, unveils a groundbreaking approach to joint health. He explains how chronic low-grade inflammation fuels osteoarthritis and accelerates joint degeneration. Even more exciting? Cartigenix, a revolutionary product combining unique extracts from celery seed and Boswellia, is showing real potential to regenerate cartilage, reduce pain, and improve mobility. Kiran also dives into the fascinating link between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease, why supporting liver health plays a crucial role in optimizing joint repair and how preventative strategies like Cartigenix can protect your joints before they start to decline. This episode could change everything you know about managing inflammation and joint health—don’t miss it!
When I was a kid at lunch, while my friends were eating those heavenly-looking ultraprocessed Twinkies and Ringdings and making dough balls with their white bread, I ate home-made yogurt or nutbutter sandwiches on a very dense, whole grain bread; or perhaps noshed on some sardines. Make no mistake, I went through a very rebellious phase involving Oreo cookies when I finally called the food shots in my life. But thankfully, I had gleaned enough from my mom that this phase didn’t last long. Indeed, I developed a deep appreciation for how savvy she was (and still is!) when it comes to keeping food clean, healthy and almost completely free of ultraprocessing and toxic food chemicals. She taught me the importance of avoiding ultra-processed foods and toxic food chemicals, long before it became a public health headline.
We’ve all had patients struggling with chronic conditions like long COVID, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and chronic fatigue. Despite all the tools in our functional medicine toolkit, there’s still something missing. How can we truly help them? I’m excited to have Ashok Gupta is back on the New Frontiers podcast to offer a new take on that healing from chronic illnessquestion. He explains that how many chronic diseases stem from a malfunction in the brain’s threat detection system, where the body overreacts to perceived threats, triggering immune, nervous system, or mood responses, . This creatinges a vicious cycle. Ashok shares how retraining the brain and calming the nervous system can reset the body’s response to chronic stress and presents the growing body of research supporting thehis Gupta Program, including new subjective measurements like CRP showing its impact. What excites me most is the potential for this approach to help some of my toughest-to-treat patients. With more studies emerging, I’m increasingly hopeful this could be a game-changer. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss! ~DrKF
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Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, ND
Dr. Fitzgerald is an internationally-recognized expert clinician, as well as nationally-bestselling author, who is actively engaged in clinical research on epigenetics and longevity using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her research and practice.
She has published two clinical studies on the potential bioage-reversing effects of an 8-week DNA methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle in middle-aged men and women in the journal Aging. She continues to lead the conversation around interventions for healthy aging and their extensive potential in improving individual and population level disease burdens, while also providing evidence-based and practical advice that cuts through the hype.
Dr. Fitzgerald is on faculty at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), is an IFM Certified Practitioner, and lectures globally on functional medicine, longevity, and epigenetics to practitioners and consumers.
She maintains an award-nominated podcast series ranked in the top 1% of global podcasts by Listen Score, New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, and an active blog and Clinic Immersion webinar series through her website, www.drkarafitzgerald.com.
