Category Archives: FxMed Podcast

What the Science Says About Sauna for Longevity: Infrared vs. Traditional

Sauna is everywhere in the longevity conversation, but are all saunas actually doing the same thing? In this episode, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Sunlighten co-founder Connie Zack to unpack the science of infrared sauna vs. traditional Finnish sauna, how different wavelengths of infrared and red light interact with the body, and what the research suggests about cardiovascular health, mitochondrial function, recovery, metabolism, and healthy aging. They explore the important distinction between heat therapy and light therapy, including far-, mid-, and near-infrared wavelengths and red light, why wavelength, dose, and proximity matter, and how these modalities may be used together. They also discuss practical sauna protocols, including how long and how often to use infrared sauna, and why hotter isn’t necessarily better.

What New Science Reveals About Mitochondria & How We Age | Dr. Siobhan Mitchell

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with neuroscientist and mitochondrial health researcher Dr. Siobhan Mitchell to explore emerging research on mitochondrial dysfunction, aging, and longevity. They discuss how mitochondria change as we age, how mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to chronic inflammation and age-related disease, and why supporting mitochondrial health could be an important strategy for extending healthspan.

The GLP-1 Problem No One Is Talking About: A New Metabolic Approach

GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed the way we approach obesity and metabolic disease. The results can be remarkable. But as their use continues to expand, I think we need to be asking a bigger question: what does long-term metabolic health look like beyond weight loss? In this episode of New Frontiers, I sit down with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj and Dr. Alexis Gonzales to explore a completely different way of thinking about metabolic intervention. Rather than systemically suppressing appetite or altering hormonal signaling, we look upstream at digestion itself, specifically whether changing the rate at which carbohydrates and fats are broken down can meaningfully alter postprandial glucose, visceral adiposity, lipids, and body composition.

The Skin Longevity Breakthrough | Carolina Reis Oliveira

The skin has long been treated as a cosmetic concern, but emerging science suggests it’s much more than that. As our largest organ, the skin serves as a critical barrier between us and the outside world, yet it also plays an active role in immune function, inflammation, and healthy aging. As skin ages, the accumulation of senescent cells and declining barrier integrity may contribute not only to wrinkles and visible aging, but also to the chronic, low-grade inflammation that underlies many age-related diseases.

What New Science Says About Building Muscle | Brad Currier

Muscle is having a moment—and for good reason. As functional medicine clinicians, we recognize that muscle isn’t just about strength or athletic performance. It’s central to metabolic health, resilience, mobility, healthy aging, and longevity. Yet resistance training can still feel intimidating for many of our patients, and even for some of us. That’s one of the reasons I was so excited to sit down with Brad Currier, PhD. Brad was part of the team behind the first major update to the American College of Sports Medicine resistance training guidelines since 2009, and he has a remarkable ability to translate exercise science into practical, evidence-based strategies that clinicians can use immediately. In partnership with Timeline, we also explore the emerging science of Urolithin A and mitochondrial health, including exciting research on muscle function, recovery, and performance across sedentary adults, older individuals, and elite athletes. This is an approachable, practical conversation that I think will change how many of us think about prescribing—and supporting—movement as medicine. ~DrKF