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
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
This month, we are sharing short summaries of some of the key research and news pieces that we have been paying attention to. Our focus spans intriguing questions about health and nutrition, from the potential risks of fish oil supplementation to the role of grip strength in aging. We also dive into the effectiveness of different protein sources, the temporary aging effects of pregnancy, and the controversial impact of multivitamins on longevity. These five topics shed light on emerging findings and the need for a nuanced understanding of nutrition and health. Join us as we explore these important insights!
We’re at an extraordinary inflection point in science, where our understanding of aging is evolving in ways that seemed unimaginable just a decade ago. As we explore these exciting advancements, we’re also faced with the challenge of defining key concepts like biological age, healthspan, and longevity interventions. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Matt Kaeberlein—one of my favorite voices in this space—for a far-reaching discussion. We dive into everything from aging as a programmed phenomenon to the latest clocks and even the supplements in his personal stack. I’m sure you’ll find this conversation as fascinating and insightful as I did. ~DrKF
In this short video blog (6 minutes, 24 seconds), Dr. Fitzgerald asks Ryan Smith, founder of TruDiagnostic, a lab that researches and specializes in understanding and reporting insights derived from epigenetic methylation data, to discuss some of the recent criticisms surrounding biological clocks.
Grip strength declines with age – this is an unwelcome change I’ve noticed even in myself, despite a good, consistent resistance training habit through adulthood. Jars that were completely uneventful for me, I need more effort to open, or resorting to using a jar-opening tool. This is in part, what makes me interested in grip strength.
Could taking a daily multivitamin actually increase mortality risk (i.e. risk of death)? This video blog takes a deep dive into the problematic research methodology of a 2024 research study on multivitamin use and mortality risk which caused a stir on popular media and news outlets.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Valerie Gershenhorn, who offers a truly unique perspective on tackling some of the most stubborn skin conditions we encounter in our practices. Her approach is both refreshing and deeply rooted in functional medicine principles. As someone who has navigated the complexities of dermatological health, I found our conversation rich with clinical pearls that I believe will resonate with many of you. From her insights into the gut-skin axis to the practical steps she takes with both adults and children, there’s a wealth of information here that can be directly applied to your practice. I’m confident you’ll find her strategies as valuable as I did.
