Category Archives: Functional Medicine for Consumers

Human Clinical Evidence Supporting High-Dose Urolithin A for Mitochondrial and Immune Function

Age-related declines in muscle function, immune resilience, and cellular energy are closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, making mitochondrial-targeted interventions a key focus of aging research. In this context, recent placebo-controlled human trials show that a Urolithin A dose of 1000 mg produces broader and more pronounced effects on mitochondrial gene expression, muscle performance, and immune markers than lower doses.

Ovarian Rejuvenation & AI: How Aging Science Is Accelerating

How close are we to ovarian rejuvenation and what role will AI play in getting us there? In this conversation, reproductive biologist and aging researcher Dr. Vittorio Sebastiano joins Dr. Kara Fitzgerald to explore how rapidly advancing technologies are transforming geroscience and regenerative medicine.

From Promise to Paradox: GLP-1 Agonists May Offset Their Own Benefits Through Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis

In recent years, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) use has increased 700% in the general population and over one quarter of those diagnosed with diabetes are on these medications.

The FxMed Moments That “Broke the Internet” in 2025

Happy holidays, everyone! As you enjoy the festive season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from this past year here at Dr. Kara Fitzgerald. One of the biggest was certainly our virtual Functional Medicine is Longevity Medicine™ Masterclass.

Targeting Immune Aging: New Findings from the MitoImmune Study on Urolithin A (Mitopure®)

Can Mitopure®, and its active ingredient Urolithin A, support an aging immune system? As we recognize immune aging as a primary driver of age-related disease, this question has taken on new clinical importance. The newly published MitoImmune study in Nature Aging provides the first rigorous clinical evidence to address this question. Conducted by researchers from Timeline, the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and the lab of Professor.

How Are Functional Medicine Practitioners Using AI? Access DrKF’s Report

An excellent colleague of mine recently had an unpleasant experience when she discovered that every single citation in an article she’d generated using AI and sent over as a potential guest post appeared fine on first glance, but was completely fabricated. Not one existed. Thankfully, our team caught it very quickly and never would have approved it for publication without checking. But I’ll admit: I understand the temptation. Most of us are balancing a dozen spinning plates. If AI can lighten the load, who wouldn’t be leaning in?

The Power of a 10-Day Detox: A Functional Medicine Reset for Energy, Focus, and Epigenetic Balance

As functional medicine practitioners, we know that nutrition and lifestyle are among the most powerful levers for preventing and reversing all chronic disease, from cardiovascular disease and hypertension to cancer and type 2 diabetes. Yet we also see firsthand how challenging it can be for patients to translate recommendations into sustained daily practice. Deeply ingrained habits don’t shift overnight. In fact, a meta-analysis of 20 studies involving more than 2,600 participants found that health-related habits typically take 2–5 months to form, which is far longer than the popular “21-day” myth suggests.

Transforming Health, One Root Cause at a Time: A Conversation with Dr. Espinal

In this practitioner spotlight, Dr. Darisa Espinal, naturopathic physician at Dr. Kara Fitzgerald’s New Frontiers Functional Medicine Clinic, shares her journey into functional medicine, the types of patients she supports, and how she integrates longevity medicine and root-cause care to help patients achieve optimal health and vitality. Dr. Espinal, can you share your path to becoming a functional medicine doctor and how your training shaped your approach to patient care?