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What to do When Autoimmune Patients Fail Standard Elimination Diets

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND November 7, 2022 2 Comments

Functional medicine providers are well versed in addressing the myriad manifestations of autoimmune disease, but while our success rates are remarkably high, we still aren’t always able to help everyone using current toolsets (labs, sophisticated elimination diets, gut protocols, and so on). Enter Mymee, a digital app and coaching platform that helps plug that gap – this sophisticated tool helps identify elusive trigger foods and lifestyle factors that may still be contributing to an individual’s disease process. Mymee’s work with COVID long-haul patients and the Mount Sinai post-COVID treatment center (long-COVID is highly autoimmune-related) is impressive and especially relevant for clinicians and patients alike. Some fascinating patterns are emerging from their long-COVID patient data that feed directly back into how to approach these cases differently. I am sure you will find this as interesting and useful a conversation as I did! Please review New Frontiers wherever you hear my voice and let us know what you think! ~DrKf

What does “Evidence-based” look like in Functional Lab Testing?

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND September 1, 2021 1 Comment

As the name suggests, New Frontiers is about staying ahead of the curve in functional medicine, continually asking critical questions, and being open to self-critique. This couldn’t be more true than when it comes to advanced functional testing. Today I’m pleased to talk with a familiar face and renowned hormone testing expert, my friend Mark Newman. Mark created the DUTCH test based on his decade-long experience in novel test development, and joins New Frontiers to talk about all things hormones: from cortisol & thyroid health to estrogen, progesterone and androgens, the importance of analytical and clinical validation of tests, and his upcoming research on various hormone replacement therapy methods.

Utilizing Salivary and Urinary Hormone Testing for Comprehensive Patient Support

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND August 8, 2022 Leave a comment

Folks, WOW — what a thrilling conversation on all things hormone testing with Dr. Laura Neville from Doctor’s Data! We share the same alma mater, National University of Natural Medicine, as well as extensive experience in clinical lab testing, so had lots to talk about! On this episode of New Frontiers, we discuss what different testing methods tell us about patient’s hormone status, which specimens are best for monitoring hormone replacement therapy and non-HRT interventions, why high dose progesterone carries risks, and what makes liquid urine testing stand out from the rest. Dr. Neville shares many clinical pearls from her experience reviewing thousands and thousands of tests with physicians from around the world. You’ll absolutely want to bookmark for future reference! Thanks for listening and please share, comment, and leave us a starred review if you wouldn’t mind! ~DrKF

Using Metabolomic Analysis For Clinical Insight

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND October 5, 2021 Leave a comment

So many of us in functional medicine use urine organic acids as an assessment tool, yet we rarely pause to think how they are so intricately connected with the wider world of applied metabolomics. And we should because research shows that a broader view of metabolomics (i.e. not just your standard organic acid markers) results in a six-fold higher diagnosis rate compared to traditional assessment methods. Impressive, isn’t it? I’m thrilled to be joined by my dear friend and metabolomics expert Dr. Betsy Redmond in today’s podcast.

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

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND February 27, 2024 Leave a comment

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.

Understanding Genetics of Aging with Harvard Professor Dr. David Sinclair

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND August 1, 2020 1 Comment

Harvard scientist and NYT best-selling author David Sinclair, PhD and I take a tour around the science of aging. If aging is THE root cause of all of the chronic diseases of aging, then arguably, if we focus on the aging journey itself, we might be able to stop playing “whack-a-mole medicine.” A lot of complex environmental, genetic, epigenetic and biochemical processes go into the aging journey, however, as Dr. Sinclair discusses, it looks like a very heavy lifter in aging is epigenetic changes – specifically, DNA methylation and demethylation (plus histone acetylation). In this episode of New Frontiers, learn about the amazing research going on at Dr. Sinclair’s lab, hear what’s getting translated to humans, and what you can do NOW to stop the epigenetic clock from ticking…. Listen and learn, leave us a 5 star review if you’d be so kind, and be sure to share with your colleagues! ~DrKF

The Story Behind Younger You 3YY: from Clinical Trial to Accessible Digital Program

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND February 9, 2022 2 Comments

Reversing biological age by just one year can save $38 trillion of public health funding. Read that again. $38 TRILLION. And by now, you probably know in my new Younger You book, I walk through exactly how to reverse your biological age by over three years through nutrition and lifestyle. But writing a book is not enough, and I’m really excited to bring an easy-to-follow digital program accessible from anywhere in the world. And I couldn’t have done it without Suggestic, the innovative health tech company powering the 3YY digital program. In this episode of New Frontiers, I share the ins and outs of this turnkey digital program with the potential to revolutionize personalized nutrition delivery and optimize health at scale.

The Role of the Downstate for Sleep, Restoration and Longevity with Dr. Sara Mednick

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND March 17, 2022 Leave a comment

Sleep – we spend a third of our lives doing it, we know it is a powerful longevity tools, yet we continue to skimp on it. I know from personal experience – improving my sleep after struggling for years was a total game-changer. And in this episode of New Frontiers, I’m joined by Dr. Sara Mednick, world-renowned sleep scientist, professor of psychology at the University of California, and director of the Sleep and Cognition Lab to discuss her exciting research findings and new lexicon for understanding stress.

The Role of Phytochemicals in Chronic Disease Prevention with Dr. Jed Fahey

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND October 8, 2021 Leave a comment

Although lifespans are getting longer, most Americans spend the last 16 years of their lives managing multiple illnesses with various drugs. With most of our faculties compromised in those final years, quality of life is significantly reduced, and life is not as enjoyable as it could be. So is there anything we can do to expand our healthspan, not just our lifespan? My guest in this podcast, Dr. Jed Fahey, joins me to discuss the underappreciated, healthspan-promoting power of phytochemicals.

The Role of Neuroplasticity in Chronic Illness & Healing

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND July 12, 2021 Leave a comment

Within the realm of functional medicine, we are quite successful at restoring some order to this cacophonous symphony of chronic illness, and getting our patients better to an extent. However, there is a final piece – a missing piece, if you will – and my guest today, Ashok Gupta, shares how neuroplasticity affected his own healing journey of chronic fatigue syndrome and why this final piece is integral to restoring optimal health. Ashok is a speaker, filmmaker, and health practitioner who created a program for retraining the brain using interventions to facilitate neuroplasticity. In this episode of New Frontiers, we discuss neuroplasticity dysfunction, how to rewire the brain’s survival response, and so much more. Folks, this conversation goes well beyond the patient-physician encounter and explores the depths of our homes, our communities, and how we experience the world around us. Stay tuned, leave us a comment, and subscribe to stay up to date on our latest content! ~DrKF

The Role of NAD+ in Aging, Chronic Disease, and Epigenetics with Dr. Nichola Conlon

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND April 1, 2023 2 Comments

New Frontiers in Functional Medicine® Podcast Sponsors Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is eternally grateful to our sponsors who, by blogging, podcasting and advertising with us, enable me and my team to devote energy and time to writing and publication. nuchido.com/karafitzgerald The Role of NAD+ in Aging, Chronic Disease, and Epigenetics with Dr. Nichola Conlon New Frontiers…

The Role of Genetic Codes in Child Behavior with Dr. Danielle Dick

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND June 6, 2022 Leave a comment

Folks, in this exciting episode of New Frontiers we touch upon topics very close to my heart – genetics, epigenetics, kids, and why the heck they are so hard to raise! Brilliant professor of psychology and research scientist Dr. Danielle Dick shares guilt-banish parenting strategies and her incredibly liberating research findings on genetics, temperaments, and child development. As an award-winning expert with over 350 scientific publications, Dr. Dick does an excellent job dispelling some deeply rooted parenting myths and provides evidence-based approaches on understanding children and supporting their development. I can’t wait to get my hands on her new book The Child Code which contains many awesome resources and practical tips, including questionnaires to understand kids’ temperament and their genetically-influenced dispositions. To all the parents and caregivers out there – this one’s for you! Please share and leave a review to let me know what you think! ~ DrKF

The Role of Adrenal Function in Thyroid Health and Longevity with Dr. Izabella Wentz

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND September 17, 2023 Leave a comment

New Frontiers in Functional Medicine® Podcast Sponsors Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is eternally grateful to our sponsors who, by blogging, podcasting and advertising with us, enable me and my team to devote energy and time to writing and publication. Rupa Health allows you to order, track and get results from 30+ lab companies in one, convenient,…

The Impact of Therapeutic Dietary Interventions on Disordered Eating

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND August 1, 2021 Leave a comment

For clinicians, therapeutic dietary interventions such as an elimination diet, a cardiometabolic diet, intermittent fasting, or caloric reduction, are some of the most important tools we have in functional medicine. Transitioning to healthful eating can for some patients be a joyous experience of liberation, but then for others it can be restrictive and problematic, and sometimes fall in the continuum of eating disorders. How do we tease this out? How do we screen for vulnerability in disordered eating and support patients who fall within this spectrum? In this episode of New Frontiers, Dr. Carolyn Fisher PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping individuals with binge eating, emotional eating, chronic dieting, and other medical conditions heal their relationships with food.

The Future of Healthcare Policies & Advocating for Reform with John Weeks

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND January 1, 2021 Leave a comment

I had the honor to sit down and chat with a leader in our field regarding public health policy and advocacy, John Weeks. What a tremendous force behind the movement of bringing integrative and functional medicine to the forefront of healthcare – and with his 40 years of insight, it was a gift to get a sit-down to discuss where we are, and where we’re going – and how we can get there together. Listen in as we discuss how to create a collaborative and unified vision to light the path for the future of medicine – which will help patients, clinicians, and our entire community. The conversation left me invigorated and inspired and I’m confident it’ll do the same for you. Listen in, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment, review, or shooting us an email. Thanks as always, for the gift of your time. ~DrKF

The Evolving Tale of the Critical Role Telomeres Provide in Aging, Senescence, and Disease

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND October 5, 2022 Leave a comment

It’s always a pleasure to tap into Dr. Raffaele’s brain, and in this podcast he doesn’t disappoint. In fact, his practical contextualization of where we are with anti-aging medicine might just be one of the smartest you’ve heard yet. What is truly remarkable about Dr. Raffaele is not just his grasp of the field both scientifically and clinically, but his ability to apply a nuanced approach that is tailored to each individual patient. After all, as he eloquently points out, we must first figure out which of the many components of aging needs improvement or correction, then target our approach accordingly. The simplicity of that statement belies his firm grasp of the complex landscape of anti-aging assessments and interventions, as you’ll see.

The Cell Danger Response: Restoring Cellular Health with Phospholipids and Bioactive Lipids

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND June 1, 2021 4 Comments

I am always eager to learn from other clinicians about how they approach complex patients and layer various healing modalities into the therapeutic encounter. My guest today, Dr. Bruce Hoffman MD, has combined his passion in integrative medicine with psychiatry to explore cellular health to best guide his patient’s health journey. Dr. Hoffman is based in Calgary, Canada at the Hoffman Centre for Integrative Medicine and the Brain Center of Alberta. He’s an IFM-certified functional medicine practitioner, board-certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine (Shoemaker’s mold protocol), a certified Ayurvedic practitioner (Bredesen’s ReCODE treatment), certified as a family constellation therapy specialist, (ILADS for Lyme and co-infections), and trained in Chinese medicine, to name just a few of his substantial specialties. He knows his stuff. Tune in for this thought-provoking conversation as we explore the role the psyche plays in disease and healing, including clinical pearls, interventions, and effective supplementation. Listen, share, and leave a starred rating, if you wouldn’t mind! Thanks for listening.

Testosterone Therapy: Latest Evidence and Clinical Applications with Dr. Doreen Saltiel

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND June 14, 2022 Leave a comment

Hormone therapy is still a highly controversial topic, fraught with lots of emotion, fear, and misleading information. And let me tell you: am I glad to be having a deep dive into the literature with my colleague and friend, the very brilliant Dr. Doreen Saltiel from Precision Analytical. She’s been practicing medicine for 40 years and preventative cardiology for more than 25 years. With advanced training in endocrinology as well as metabolic, anti-aging, and nutritional medicine, Dr. Saltiel is a leading expert on male and female hormone health. In this episode of New Frontiers, she brings her talent of dissecting the scientific evidence on testosterone deficiency and shares excellent clinical pearls to guide both physicians and patients in making decisions around hormone therapy. Folks, you’ll want to bookmark this one and save the show notes. Thanks for reading, sharing, and commenting!

Targeting Senescent Cells? Dose and Timing Matters – with Dr. Greg Kelly

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND March 28, 2024 Leave a comment

I’m thrilled to welcome you to a truly fascinating discussion on the cutting edge of longevity medicine. In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Greg Kelly to explore the complex world of cellular senescence and its profound implications for our aging process. We delve into the challenges of identifying these aging cells and the exciting research that’s paving the way for more accurate biomarkers. I’m particularly excited to share with you Dr. Kelly’s insights on how simple lifestyle changes, such as incorporating regular exercise and mindful caloric intake, can significantly reduce the accumulation of senescent cells. We also discuss some groundbreaking interventions, including the use of senolytic agents like quercetin, dasatinib, and piper longumine, and how they’re revolutionizing our approach to longevity.

Tackling Alzheimer’s Disease Head On – the Inspiring Work of Dr. Heather Sandison

FxMed PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND April 5, 2024 Leave a comment

Today, I am honored to connect with Dr. Heather Sandison, whose work in reversing Alzheimer’s is nothing short of groundbreaking. Her dedication challenges the status quo of dementia care, offering real hope and tangible solutions. We’ll explore the intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease, from its elusive diagnosis to the shortcomings of traditional pharmaceuticals. Together, we’ll navigate the realm of evidence-based interventions, from early detection to personalized treatments, all aimed at optimizing cognitive function and overall well-being. Join us for a conversation that promises to ignite new possibilities in our approach to dementia care.

Strain-Specific Probiotics: Latest Evidence and Clinical Applications with Dr. Noelle Patno

FxMed Podcast, FxMed Sponsored PodcastBy Kara Fitzgerald, ND July 1, 2022 Leave a comment

What do we know about using specific probiotics for different health conditions? And is it time to move away from broad-spectrum probiotics and into condition-specific strains? With an explosion of new research on probiotics and a recent change in nomenclature, it’s easy to get confused. In this episode of New Frontiers, I lean on Dr. Noelle Patno’s extensive research knowledge to tease apart the science on probiotics. Dr. Patno holds a PhD in Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition and has designed and monitored clinical trials on microbiome and immune health. Together, we dive into the latest evidence on therapeutic uses of specific probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, for women’s health and other conditions. Dr. Patno also shares excellent pearls on dosing, duration, delivery methods and antibiotic resistance. Many thanks to Noelle and the team at Metagenics for always leading the way and researching interventions.