Ep. 482 How the Oral Microbiome Impacts Your Whole Body with Dr. Staci Whitman

I’m delighted to reconnect with Dr. Eric Balcavage today! He is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Pennsylvania. He is also a nationally recognized speaker and educator on various health-related topics, including thyroid physiology, detoxification, methylation, and chronic illness. Dr. Eric Balcavage joins me for the third time today to discuss his new book, The Thyroid Debacle, co-authored with Dr. Kelly Halderman. We dive into his motivation for writing his book, discuss cellular hypothyroidism and its triggers, and get into the impact of chronic low-grade inflammation on our mitochondrial health. We go into why hypothyroidism is a spectrum, the role of bile in thyroid functioning, and the impact of hypothyroidism on our sex hormones. We also discuss the incidence of Hashimoto’s, why iodine is so controversial, labs we want to look at more closely with thyroid issues, and supplements and nutrition. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Eric explains why clinicians are failing their patients concerning thyroid management and diagnosis. A better clinical approach to thyroid issues. Dr. Eric unpacks cellular hypothyroidism. Why weight loss is a lot more complicated than simply counting calories and fasting. What bile does, apart from breaking down and emulsifying fat. Problems that might occur after having the gallbladder removed. The impact of hypothyroidism on the sex hormones. How a broader approach could ultimately result in more effective treatment strategies. Dr. Eric shares his view on what triggers the development of goiters.  Is iodine supplementation necessary? Dr. Eric shares his thoughts on nutrition for thyroid health. The best supplements for reducing inflammation. Bio Dr. Eric Balcavage is the owner and founder of Rejuvagen, a functional medicine clinic in Chadds Ford, PA. He is a nationally recognized speaker and educator on various health-related topics including thyroid physiology, bile physiology, detoxification, oxidative stress, methylation, and chronic illness.  Dr. Balcavage is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (C.N.S.), a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, along with being a licensed Chiropractor in Pennsylvania.  Dr. Balcavage is the co-host of the Thyroid Answers Podcast. The podcast focuses on answering the pressing questions those suffering from chronic hypothyroid symptoms can’t get answered elsewhere. You can find his educational Thyroid Thursday videos on Vimeo and Youtube. Dr. Balcavage has made it his mission to change the way medicine looks at hypothyroidism. He is the co-author of the book, The Thyroid Debacle. The book, co-written by Dr. Kelly Halderman, addresses the problems with current allopathic and functional medicine approaches to hypothyroidism as well as the solutions to restoring thyroid physiology. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Eric Balcavage On his website On Instagram Dr. Balcavage’s book, The Thyroid Debacle, is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Balboa Press, or online. Listen to episodes 105 and 166 with Dr. Eric Balcavage

31 Joulu 20221h 7min

Today I have the honor of connecting with the renowned speaker and bestselling author Dr. Gabor Maté! Dr. Maté is highly sought-after for his expertise on various topics, including addiction, trauma, stress, and childhood development. He recently wrote a New York Times bestselling book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. For many of us, the concept of trauma is controversial and largely misunderstood. In today’s discussion with Dr. Maté, I am transparent, honest, and open about how I grew up and how my childhood experiences have influenced me throughout my lifetime. We get into the definition of trauma, why trauma is so widespread and misunderstood, the differences between habit and addiction, the impact of a toxic culture and materialism, and the epidemic of loneliness. We discuss the impact of the pandemic, a loss of control, why women are at greater risk of developing autoimmune disorders, and the impact of adverse childhood events. We also speak about what negatively impacts healthy childhood development, multigenerational trauma, and healing through compassionate inquiry.   I hope you will find great value in listening to today’s thought-provoking and insightful podcast! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Maté discusses and defines trauma. The difference between a habit and an addiction. How do various addictions ( drugs, work, shopping, attention, etc.) differ? How the loneliness and isolation from childhood trauma get carried into adult life and could lead to illness. How the social isolation of the pandemic brought some families closer together and drove others further apart. How materialism ties into trauma, addiction, and the current epidemic of loneliness. How many of the problems clinicians deal with today result from trauma and disconnection What studies show about women and autoimmune diseases. Why do we need to acknowledge the impact of the disparity within our modern-day materialist culture? What can we do to ensure that our young children develop in a healthy way? Healing from multigenerational trauma. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow • Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn • Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Gabor Maté On his website On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube  Dr. Maté’s book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, and all his other books are available online and from most bookstores. Books mentioned: Hold Onto Your Kids by Dr. Gabor Maté and Gordon Neufeld Dr. Maté’s book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, is available from most bookstores

24 Joulu 202257min

I am honored to connect with Dr. Amy Killen today! She is a leading longevity and regenerative physician specializing in “Sex and Skin.” She is also an international speaker, author, educator, mother of three, a should-be rapper, and founder of the Human Optimization Project (HOP). Having had three kids within two years while also getting up at 3 am to be on time for her 4 am ER shifts made Dr. Killen’s life sleep-deprived, crazy, and stressed. Then, she noticed that many ER patients were coming in with acute problems related to issues similar to her own and realized that she needed to learn a whole new set of tricks and tools if she wanted to help them and herself. Dr. Killen has positioned herself as the female expert on biohacking, sexual health, and skin health. In this episode, we dive into her medical background and her transition into a longevity and sexual health guru. We discuss longevity, functional and regenerative medicine, ovarian aging, the impact of lifestyle on our sexual health, de-stigmatizing women’s sexual needs and health, microdosing, supplements, and addressing changes in our skin and hair in perimenopause and menopause. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Dr. Killen as much as I did recording it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Killen shifted from being an ER doctor to doing what she does today. Dr. Killen explains why she believes menopause is a disease unto itself. How the Women’s Health Initiative created fear around taking or prescribing hormones. Only one in five mammals go through menopause, so why does it happen to humans? How do diet and lifestyle impact the aging process? The serious ramifications of environmental toxins. The importance of de-stigmatizing sex. The role nitric oxide plays in sexual health. Dr. Killen discusses various regenerative therapy options for women. The pros and cons of some new and novel medications and supplements for weight loss and longevity.  Dr. Killen discusses her recently-launched longevity product, HopBox.  Some of the modalities Dr. Killen uses to help middle-aged women improve their skin and hair. Bio: Dr. Amy B Killen is a leading longevity and regenerative physician specializing in “Sex and Skin.” In her Utah-based practices, she combines stem cell injections with photobiomodulation, shockwave therapy, bioidentical hormones, peptides, and an old-fashioned healthy lifestyle to give patients unparalleled synergistic regenerative effects for skin, hair, and sexual systems. Dr. Killen is an international speaker, author, educator, mother of three, a should-be rapper, and founder of the Human Optimization Project (HOP).  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Amy Killen On her websites: www.dramykillen.com, www.hopbox.life, or www.docereclinics.com On Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

17 Joulu 202256min

I am delighted to have Scott Emmens and Kara Lazauskas joining me on the podcast today! Scott is the President of MD Logic, and Kara is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a graduate degree in Molecular Muscle Exercise Physiology and a background in Sports Medicine. Scott’s fascination with fitness began when he was sixteen. He had asthma, and it confused him to see kids more out of shape than he was performing better than him. So he started working out. When he went to college, he developed an obsession with how the human body worked and became an amateur bodybuilder. Kara is a total badass! Even though she lost her left lung to a benign tumor when she was just three-and-a-half years old, she became a Titan Games competitor. She is also an MMA fighter. In this episode, Kara, Scott, and I dive into supplements in the sports and performance fields, the rigors of the FDA GMP (Good Manufacturing Process), and the need for quality supplementation. We discuss the value of Creatine Monohydrate, its benefits, some common misconceptions, and age-related changes that impact metabolic health. We discuss how brain metabolism can be supported with Creatine, gender-related differences, how estrogen influences Creatine, and how Creatine can be helpful in reducing the risk of depression and influencing BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). We also get into the unmatched safety and security standards of MD Logic, my reasons for aligning with them in creating Creatine Monohydrate, and some upcoming discounts for Creatine and melatonin during the holidays. I sincerely hope you will enjoy listening to today's conversation as much as I did recording it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Kara got to where she is today.   How Scott got into using Creatine to biohack his fitness and health and started MD Logic. Scott shares some of his concerns about the supplement industry. Why is Creatine Monohydrate such an important supplement for muscle and brain health? The benefits of taking a daily dose of Creatine Monohydrate. How Creatine helps us have better quality sleep and perform better on lower energy. Why do we need to actively support our musculature throughout our lifetime?   How Creatine helps to prevent sarcopenia and dementia as we age. How not supplementing with Creatine can impact mood disorders in women. How Creatine assists in reducing the risk of depression and influencing BDNF. How being physically active improves brain health and insulin sensitivity and contributes to metabolic health. What makes the Creatine Monohydrate created through MD Logic different and unique? Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on  Twitter,  Instagram &  LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s  website  Connect with Scott Emmens on LinkedIn  Connect with Kara Lazauskas on LinkedIn

14 Joulu 20221h 11min

I’m happy to have Dr. Shawn Tassone joining me again today! He was one of our original guests on the podcast back in 2018. (Episode 4) Dr. Tassone is the author of The Hormone Balance Bible, a book I often recommend.  Dr. Tassone is one of my favorite gynecologists! I love following him on social media because he shares information in a very straightforward manner. In this episode, we dive into the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative, the differences between bio-identical and synthetic hormone replacement therapy, contraceptive options for perimenopausal women, and the Essure sterilization procedure. We discuss why so many OB-GYNs and medical professionals get burned out, various options for thyroid health, the basis for The Hormone Balance Bible, and the SHINE protocol. We also get into some of Dr. Tassone’s favorite supplements and those he feels get overused.  I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast with Dr. Tassone as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: The changes Dr. Tassone had to navigate after the Women’s Health Initiative. How synthetic hormone replacement therapy differs from bio-identical. Why do synthetic hormones have a higher cancer risk? The benefits of testosterone for women. Contraceptive options available for perimenopausal women. Dr. Tassone’s experiences as a clinician with the Essure sterilization procedure. Why do so many healthcare professionals get burned out? The type of thyroid medication Dr. Tassone prefers to prescribe for his patients. What inspired Dr. Tassone to write his new book, The Hormone Balance Bible? When do hormone imbalances become a problem? Dr. Tassone’s favorite supplements. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Dr. Shawn Tassone On his website On Instagram (Appointments: drshawntassone) Call Dr. Tassone’s office: 512 956029 On Facebook Documentary mentioned: The Bleeding Edge Books mentioned: Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, by Andrew Weil  The Hormone Balance Bible on Amazon

10 Joulu 202259min

I am honored to connect with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella today. He is a Professor from West Virginia University School of Medicine, and a retired Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who practices Family Medicine and advocates for evidence-based policy and education.  Dr. Cucuzzella has a fascinating background! He spent forty years as a humble yet seriously dedicated athlete, competing in over a hundred marathons and ultra-marathons. In this episode, he shares his perspective on shifting the paradigm to a low-carb diet, the impact of that on metabolic health, needing guideline Centrals for low-carb diets for patients, and hindrances to changing the narrative within the traditional allopathic medical model. We also talk about low-carb on a budget and food insecurity. I hope you enjoy listening to today’s conversation with Dr. Cucuzzella and find it beneficial. I look forward to reconnecting with him next year for a second podcast! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How the unconventional treatments Dr. Cucuzella received from an innovative orthopaedist motivated him to become a doctor. How working with obesity in the Air Force led Dr. Cucuzella to understand that nutrition is fundamental to metabolic health. The significant shifts Dr. Cucuzzella has seen in his patients and himself over the last thirty years. Why Dr. Cucuzzella focuses on getting people with diabetes off their medications. The art of deprescribing. What is MODY? Some of the barriers to the acceptance of promoting lifestyle management for addressing and treating metabolic disorders. Why should obesity and food addictions be treated as medical conditions? Some tips for doing low-carb on a budget. How to support teenagers to make better food choices. Bio: Dr. Mark Cucuzzella is a Professor from West Virginia University School of Medicine and a retired Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. Mark practices Family Medicine at WVU’s Jefferson Medical Center and directs their Cardiovascular and Stress Testing lab. An advocate for evidence-based policy and education, Mark is a founding member of The Nutrition Coalition, the Low Carb Action Network, The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners, and The Hypoglycemia Foundation and is a scientific advisor for Diet Doctor. As an athlete, Mark has competed for 40 years, achieving a streak of 30 consecutive years running a marathon in under 3 hours. He has finished events up to 100 miles. He lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where he owns a small community running store and directs running races and camps for youth and adults. His book “Run For Your Life” summarizes the science and the soul of running, nutrition, and physical activity to help you maintain a vigorous life.  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella On his website Run For Your Life (Dr. Cucuzzella’s book) Recommended books: Chasing Cupcakes: How One Broke, Fat Girl Transformed Her Life (and How You Can, Too) by Elizabeth Benton

3 Joulu 202259min

I am happy to reconnect with Dr. Carrie Jones today! (She was with me before in Episode 106, in July of 2020.) Dr. Jones is an internationally-recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones. She has her Master's in Public Health and was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology and currently serves on the board. I like to think of Dr. Jones as the Queen of Hormones! In today’s episode, we dive into common hormone imbalances that occur in perimenopause and menopause. We discuss the difference between healthy and non-healthy mitochondria, the impact of toxins on our hormones, and thyroid function. We talk about the impact of puberty, pregnancy, post-partum, and perimenopause on our immune system. We also get into non-thyroidal illnesses, the role of skeletal muscle, things that no longer serve us in middle age, and why we tend to become more weight loss-resistant with age. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Dr. Carrie Jones as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Understanding our changing hormones as we approach perimenopause or menopause.   What happens to our mitochondria as we transition to menopause? Ways to support mitochondrial health. How hormonal shifts affect thyroid function. Why do we need to test for the less common autoimmune markers? Why we may still feel terrible after taking medication for an underactive thyroid. When to start advocating for additional thyroid testing. Why is the DUTCH urine test helpful as we approach menopause? Things, other than medications that may impact the ability to process estrogen properly. The most popular tests for gut health. The truth about testosterone. Why is it essential to have a healthy amount of skeletal muscle as we age? Three weight loss-resistant issues most people do not know about. Bio: Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women's health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry. She has her Master’s in Public Health and was one of the first to become board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology and currently serves on the board. She was the Medical Director for the DUTCH Test for several years, and currently, she is the Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health and host of the Root Cause Medicine podcast. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Carrie Jones On her website On Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

26 Marras 20221h 2min

I am honored to reconnect with Amy Berger today! (She was with me before, in Episode 108, in 2020.) Amy has a Master’s degree in human nutrition. She is also a certified nutrition specialist and a US Air Force veteran. She is the author of many books, including a co-authored book with Dr. Eric Westman, called End Your Carb Confusion. Amy is a wealth of information! She specializes in helping people do “Keto Without the Crazy”, and keeping things sane and simple- a message that is sadly under-represented in our post-pandemic time frame.  Amy joins me today to dive into reducing nutrition-related fear, worry, and anxiety. We speak about food addiction, binge eating, and orthorexia, the emerging trend in medicine of metabolic psychiatry, brain health, blood sugar, different types of fuel substrates, and weight-loss resistance. We also get into bio-hacking gadgets, the scale, and the value of food budgets.  Amy’s YouTube channel is one of my favorites, and her brand and business are full of down-to-earth messaging. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with her as much as I did recording it! Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Amy came up with her methodology of “keto without the crazy”. What can we do to overcome nutrition-related fear and anxiety? How Amy helps people navigate food addiction, binge eating, and orthorexia. The most effective way to overcome metabolic syndrome, obesity, type-2 diabetes, or PCOS. The importance of understanding the extent to which blood sugar and insulin problems affect cognition and the brain. How common mental health disorders associated with metabolic health, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar, can be easily corrected by changing one’s diet. How ketones can help improve mental health and clarity. Some less common reasons for weight loss resistance. Why do we sometimes need to step back and slow down? The pros and cons of bio-hacking devices. Why it is best not to weigh ourselves every day. Nutrients essential for mitochondrial health.  Bio: Amy Berger, MS, CNS, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Certified Nutrition Specialist who helps people do “Keto Without the Crazy.”™ She writes about a wide range of health and nutrition-related topics, such as insulin, weight loss, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, thyroid function, and more. She has presented internationally on these issues and is the author of The Alzheimer's Antidote, The Stall Slayer, and co-author of End Your Carb Confusion, written with Eric Westman, MD. She is the Lead Nutritionist for Adapt Your Life Academy, where she helps create course content and coaches people through implementing low-carb keto diets safely and effectively. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Amy Berger On her website On YouTube  Consultations Online courses: www.adaptyourlifeacademy.com  Episode 108 with Amy Berger

23 Marras 202254min