Methylation – What’s All the Fuss?
If you or anyone you know has a history of heart disease, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, diabetes, insomnia or autism, these are just some of the conditions that have been linked to faulty methylation.
The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle – an Introduction
Up until now, having a gene SNP in methylation enzymes (such as MTHFR), elevated homocysteine, or before and during pregnancy, has typically prompted the use of supplemental methylation cofactors such as B12, folate, B6 and betaine. Often at higher level doses. Yes, it’s right to correct or avoid too little methylation activity in the body,…
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.
Why Chronic Disease May Begin Before Birth
As functional medicine clinicians, we often spend our careers helping patients reverse years, sometimes decades, of accumulated dysfunction. But what if some of the most powerful opportunities to influence lifelong health occur long before symptoms ever appear? What if they begin before pregnancy, or even before conception? That’s what makes this conversation so exciting. I sat down with Emily Crouch, Leslie Stone, and Dr. Kalea Wattles to explore the rapidly evolving science connecting preconception health, epigenetics, precision nutrition, and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Together, we discuss why fertility is about so much more than achieving pregnancy. It’s a unique biological window with the potential to influence metabolic health, immune function, neurodevelopment, and chronic disease risk across generations. This conversation also challenged me to think differently about prevention. Functional medicine has always emphasized identifying root causes before disease develops. Preconception care may represent one of the earliest and most impactful opportunities to do exactly that. Whether you work in reproductive health or simply want to better understand where lifelong health truly begins, I think you’ll find this discussion both thought-provoking and clinically inspiring. ~DrKF
Fertility Preservation Beyond Egg Freezing
A 31-year-old patient sits across from me and says, “My friends are all freezing their eggs. Should I be doing that too?” It is a question I hear constantly. And while oocyte cryopreservation is a legitimate tool for specific situations, the way it is being marketed has created a damaging assumption: that fertility is a fixed, steadily declining resource that technology must eventually rescue.
Vegan Megaboost Shot
This nutrient-dense “megaboost” shot is designed to help vegans and anyone focused on optimal health meet key nutritional needs that can be harder to obtain on a plant-based diet. It features ingredients rich in nutrients that are often under-consumed in these eating patterns. For example, hemp seeds provide a complete amino acid profile, which is key for many body functions, including metabolic health, neurotransmitter and muscle synthesis, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Together with pumpkin seeds, they also supply zinc, an essential mineral for immune function, hormone homeostasis, and healthy gene expression, all of which are important for healthy aging.
The Hidden Immune Signal Accelerating Aging & the Beta-Glucan That Fixes It | Bob Rountree & Chris D’Adamo
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. Exclusive Offer for New Frontiers Listeners Book a practitioner call and receive a complimentary bottle of beta-glucan…
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?
No-Bake Energy Bites
These energy bites are a seed extravaganza! Infused with anti-inflammatory turmeric and fragrant lemon zest, they offer a punchy flavor while delivering healthy fats, fiber, and a whole host of longevity-boosting epinutrients (see below). Naturally sweetened and rich in antioxidants, they make a refreshing, feel-good snack for any time of day.