Autoimmune Alchemy

Dr. Nate Handley — an integrative oncologist and Director of the Cancer Recovery Program at Jefferson University's Marcus Institute for Integrative Health, who treats both cancer patients and complex chronic illness through precision medicine, blending genetics, bloodwork, and whole-person care.

From explaining why 75% of people carry an MTHFR variant that may not even be their real problem, to breaking down what a "normal" homocysteine or MCV level can quietly hide, this episode is packed with real clinical insight, precision-medicine tools, and practical testing knowledge you won't hear anywhere else. We go deep into the polyomics approach — genes, gut, environment, and everything in between — why your genetic blueprint is only part of the story, and how Nate decides who actually needs targeted supplementation versus who doesn't

Chapters and Time Stamps:

00:55 Meet Dr Nate Hanly

01:52 What Integrative Oncology Means

04:06 Beyond Cancer Care

04:57 Precision Medicine Polyomics

08:10 SNPs High vs Low Penetrance

11:06 MTHFR Variants Explained

13:03 Who Needs Methylfolate

15:32 SNP Panels and Polyomics

17:57 Supplements Food First Strategy

19:21 Clinic Testing Workflow

23:20 Inflammation Markers and Cytokines

24:04 Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio

25:52 High MCV Causes and Clues

29:16 Homocysteine and Methylation Cycle

32:05 Wrap Up and Where to Find Him

🧬 Having the Gene Doesn't Mean You'll Have the Problem

🏠 Your Genes Are a Blueprint — Not the Whole House

🔬 75% of People Have an MTHFR Variant — Most Never Notice It

🥦 Food First, Supplements Second — Always

🩸 A "Normal" Homocysteine Can Still Hide a Methylation Block

📊 A High MCV Isn't Always a B12 Problem

🌍 Your Environment Is Part of Your Biology Too

🧪 One Test Rarely Tells the Whole Story — Look at the Landscape

Guest: Dr. Nate Handley

Specialty: Integrative Oncology | Precision Medicine | Internal Medicine

Background: While practicing general oncology, Nate noticed a recurring gap — patients recovering from cancer treatment were often left without support for the fatigue, pain, and cognitive changes that followed. That gap led him to integrative oncology, and eventually to expand his practice to treat complex chronic illness beyond cancer, including autoimmune and rheumatologic conditions and long COVID.

Education: Board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and integrative medicine; Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University

Certifications: N/A (board certifications listed above; no additional certifications stated in episode)

Past Work: Practiced general oncology before shifting toward integrative and precision medicine; now splits his practice roughly evenly between cancer patients and patients with complex chronic disease

Turning Point: Repeatedly seeing cancer survivors left to navigate recovery alone — without support for the physical and cognitive fallout of treatment — pushed Nate to build a program centered on whole-person healing, not just disease treatment

Known For: Director of the Integrative Cancer Recovery Program at the Marcus Institute for Integrative Health; expert in polyomics-based precision medicine, SNP testing, and methylation pathways (MTHFR, COMT, homocysteine)

Offers: Integrative oncology and precision medicine consultations at the Marcus Institute for Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia)

Links:

• 🌐 Website: nathanleymd.com

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

What if the panic attacks, the insomnia, the depression you've been handed a prescription for are actually your body asking you to look deeper? In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with Kirkland Newman, journalist, founder of MindHealth360, and Executive Director of IMMH.

To unpack her own postpartum depression journey and why functional psychiatry looks at root causes instead of just silencing symptoms. We go deep into trauma, hormones, nervous system regulation, and the daily practices that build real resilience.

Chapter and Time Stamps:

00:56 Meet Kiki Newman

02:23 First Postpartum Panic

03:58 Medication Fallout

05:28 Testing Changed Everything

07:10 Mind Health 360 Mission

09:21 Trauma Meets Biochemistry

12:42 Why Postpartum Gets Missed

18:41 Self Care and Rest Lessons

21:40 Experts and Common Threads

27:12 Start With the Basics

32:13 Bioenergetics and Inner Healer

35:19 Conference Invite and Wrap Up

Key Takeaways

• Website: mindhealth360.com
• Conference: immh.org

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

What if treating your autoimmune disease didn't mean a lifetime of infusions, but one? In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I talk with Dr. Vaneet Sandhu, VP of Clinical Development at Fate Therapeutics, about CAR T-cell therapy: how it reprograms immune cells to eliminate the "bad actor" B-cells driving disease, why it started in oncology and is now being tested in lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis and more, and what the recent safety headlines actually mean for patients considering a trial.

Chapter and Time Stamps:

00:00 CAR T Cells Explained

01:04 Meet The Guest

02:19 What Is CAR T Therapy

03:28 Off The Shelf Manufacturing

05:39 Dosing And Infusion Basics

06:57 How CAR T Targets B Cells

08:37 B Cell Return And Reset

09:56 Diseases And Trial Phases

11:05 Timeline And Eligibility

13:37 From Cancer To Autoimmune

15:18 Early Results And Safety

20:18 Trial Pauses And Deaths

23:35 Comparing Companies

27:01 Hard To Treat Diseases

28:26 How To Join Trials

29:41 Final Thoughts And Resources

Key Takeaways

🧬 A CAR T-Cell Is Just a Soldier With New Orders

🏭 Off-the-Shelf Beats Custom-Made — Here's Why

💉 One Infusion, Not a Lifetime of Them

🎯 It's Not Killing Immunity — It's Retraining It

🔄 The B-Cells That Come Back Aren't the Bad Ones

🦠 Started in Cancer, Now Rewriting Autoimmune Treatment

⚠️ Safety Headlines Aren't the Whole Story — Context Matters

🔍 Not a Cure Yet — But a Real Shot at Remission

Guest Details & Links

Dr. Vaneet Sandhu — Vice President of Clinical Development at Fate Therapeutics, where she leads clinical programs in autoimmunity. Previously a practicing rheumatologist at Loma Linda University and rheumatology fellowship program director. Medical degree from a medical college in India; master's in academic medicine from the University of Missouri; internal medicine residency at Loma Linda University; rheumatology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

• Website: fatetherapeutics.com
• Clinical trial search: clinicaltrials.gov

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

Dr. Belinda Adams — a UK physician who traded the doctor's coat for the patient gown, going through six rounds of IVF before becoming a mother, and later founding Fertility Hero, an evidence-based supplement company built from everything she wished someone had told her.

From discovering that egg quality isn't actually fixed, to using a gluten-free diet to normalize thyroid antibodies instead of steroids, this episode is packed with real clinical insight, hard-won personal experience, and practical fertility tools you won't hear anywhere else. We go deep into why infertility carries psychological symptom scores comparable to cancer patients, the shame and self-blame so many women silently carry, and the science behind sleep, melatonin, CoQ10, and five element acupuncture — plus what Belinda wishes she'd known before her very first IVF cycle.

Chapter and Time Stamps:

00:58 Meet Dr Belinda Adams

01:43 Her Infertility Journey

04:15 Mental Health Toll

07:18 Dropping Shame and Blame

08:43 Getting Unstuck Tools

11:37 Visualization and Testing

15:12 Five Element Acupuncture

17:28 Egg Quality Lifestyle

20:46 When to Seek Help

22:09 Talking to Loved Ones

23:55 Self Care and Sleep

25:11 IVF Lessons Learned

26:43 Choosing Clinics Wisely

30:21 Autoimmunity and IVF

32:33 Why Fertility Hero Exists

35:11 Reading Supplement Labels

38:35 How to Take Supplements

40:56 Where to Find Belinda

41:53 Final Thanks and Goodbye

🥚 Egg Quality Isn't Fixed — The Months Before Ovulation Matter

💔 Infertility Grief Rivals a Cancer Diagnosis Psychologically

🙅 Shame Isn't the Cause of Your Infertility — Let It Go

🧵 Some Emotions Are Healthy — Anger Can Spur You to Dig Deeper

🪡 Acupuncture May Help — But Nobody's Fully Sure Why Yet

😴 Sleep Isn't Just Rest — It Protects Egg Quality Through Melatonin

🔬 One Round of IVF Is an Experiment, Not a Verdict

🗣️ You Don't Owe Anyone Real-Time Updates on Your Journey

Guest: Dr. Belinda Adams

Specialty: UK Physician | Fertility, Hormones & Reproductive Psychology | Founder of Fertility Hero

Background: After three years of unexplained infertility, Belinda took what she thought was a temporary break from clinical medicine to pursue IVF — a break that became permanent. She and her husband went through six rounds of IVF and four different clinics over several years before welcoming their two daughters. Being on the receiving end of care, having to ask to see her own blood results, completely reshaped how she understood the fertility system from the inside.

Education: Trained and practiced as a physician in the UK before stepping away from clinical medicine in 2018

Certifications: N/A (medical training; not formally stated in episode)

Past Work: Practiced clinical medicine in the UK; worked in medical education, which shaped her ability to critically evaluate fertility research and supplement evidence

Turning Point: After her own struggles with raised thyroid antibodies, a chemical pregnancy, and repeated failed IVF cycles, Belinda used a gluten-free diet to normalize her thyroid antibodies as an alternative to steroids — an experience that deepened her belief in accessible, low-risk lifestyle interventions alongside conventional care

Known For: Founder of Fertility Hero, a UK-based evidence-based fertility supplement company; vocal advocate for addressing the mental health toll of infertility, egg quality myths, and the overlap between autoimmune conditions and fertility struggles

Offers: Third-party tested, evidence-based fertility supplements (CoQ10, magnesium bisglycinate, prenatal, omega-3) currently available in the UK, with plans to expand to Europe and the US

Links:

• 🌐 Website: fertilityhero.co.uk
• 📷 Instagram: @fertilityhero

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

Your TSH is "normal" but you still feel exhausted, cold, and foggy — sound familiar? In this episode I sit down with Dr. Saadia Mian, a board-certified endocrinologist and functional medicine practitioner, to unpack why standard thyroid labs miss so many patients.

Chapters & Time-stamps

00:39 Meet the Endocrinologist

01:43 Thyroid Symptoms Explained

03:20 Core Thyroid Lab Panel

04:34 Reverse T3 and Illness

07:33 Thyroid Metabolism Links

08:54 Insulin Testing and Targets

10:38 Treating Insulin Resistance

14:03 Thyroid and Sex Hormones

16:33 Why Free T3 Matters

19:19 Optimal Thyroid Ranges

20:47 Reverse T3 Ratio Use

21:58 Hashimoto’s With Normal Labs

24:51 Key Nutrients and Iodine

28:10 Hypothyroid Medication Options

31:33 Choosing the Right Meds

32:52 Graves’ Treatment Reality

35:31 Adjuncts and Nervous System

37:06 Supplements for Inflammation

38:31 Final Advice and Where to Find Her

Key Takeaways:

• Why free T3 matters more than TSH alone — and the optimal ranges Dr. Mian looks for (free T3 ≥3.0, free T4 ≥1.0)
• The free T3-to-reverse T3 ratio functional practitioners use to catch what standard labs miss
• How untreated hypothyroidism quietly drives high cholesterol and insulin resistance
• Fasting insulin targets (≤5) and why postprandial insulin testing matters too
• Berberine, inositol, and cinnamon for blood sugar support
• The gut-autoimmunity-thyroid triad: genetics, leaky gut, and triggers
• Synthetic vs. desiccated thyroid hormone — how Dr. Mian decides which to use
• Low-dose naltrexone and ashwagandha as adjuncts for Hashimoto's and Graves'
• Why iodine supplementation needs to be individualized, not routine

Guest Details

Dr. Saadia Mian, MD, FACE, IFMCP is a board-certified endocrinologist and Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, as well as a certified life coach. A Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology, she blends conventional endocrinology with root-cause, systems-based medicine. She's the founder of Precision Endocrine and The Functional Endocrinologist, focusing on thyroid health, metabolic optimization, weight management, and bioidentical hormone therapy. She's the author of Hormones in Sync: An Endocrinologist's Guide to Reclaiming Your Energy, Joy, and Health (releasing September 2026), a Detroit Hour Top Doc, and a sought-after speaker and educator.

Connect with Dr. Mian:

• 🌐 Website: www.saadiamianmd.com
• 📸 Instagram: @dr.saadiamianmd
• 📘 Facebook: Saadia Mian MD
• 💼 LinkedIn: Saadia Mian MD
• 📍 Clinic: Woodhaven, Michigan

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, Dr. Russell Kennedy — physician, neuroscientist, and founder of "The Anxiety MD," who reframes anxiety as a felt alarm in the body rather than a problem to think your way out of.

From childhood alarm quietly fueling autoimmune flares to a simple ABC framework (Awareness, Body, Compassion) that helps patients finally get out of their heads and into their bodies, this episode is packed with real clinical insight and practical tools you won't hear anywhere else.

Chapters and Time-stamps

00:31 Meet Dr Russell Kennedy

01:44 Origin Story and Sensitivity

03:53 Background Alarm Explained

05:33 Alarm Anxiety Cycle

07:52 LSD Insight Body Based Anxiety

10:08 Find Anxiety in the Body

12:52 Meditation and Thought Distance

16:08 Catastrophizing and Certainty Traps

19:10 ABC Method Get Into Body

24:13 Sensation Without Explanation

27:25 Adult Child Reunion and Autoimmunity

29:43 Autoimmune and Anxiety Link

30:45 ALARMS Childhood Triggers

32:44 Anxiety vs Depression Signals

33:51 Pain as a Lighthouse

36:55 Prayer and Trusting Life

40:56 Practicing Gratitude Daily

43:25 Why Medicine Falls Short

45:42 Group Healing and Patterns

49:52 Addiction Shame and Support

52:27 Surprised by Connection 55:01 Where to Find Dr Kennedy

56:36 Final Takeaway Connection Heals

Key Takeaways

🧠 Anxiety Isn't in Your Mind — It's in Your Body

🚨 Every Anxious Person Has a Background "Alarm" Running

👶 Your Anxiety Is Actually Your Younger Self, Waiting

🫁 Sensation Without Explanation — Feel It, Don't Fix It

🔄 The ABC Method: Awareness, Body, Compassion

🩹 Autoimmune Flares Can Be the Child Asking to Be Heard

🤝 Connection Heals What Pills Never Will

Guest Details & Links

Guest: Dr. Russell Kennedy

Specialty: Physician | Neuroscientist | Anxiety & Nervous System Healing

Background: Grew up with a father who had schizophrenia and bipolar illness; developed his own anxiety disorder early in life; left traditional medicine after discovering healing comes through the body, not pharmaceuticals alone

Education: Medical Doctor (MD); background in neuroscience

Past Work: Practiced medicine for years before shifting fully into anxiety education, writing, and coaching

Turning Point: A 2013 experience revealed his anxiety was held in his body (not his mind) — reshaping his entire approach to healing

Known For: Bestselling, award-winning author of Anxiety Rx; creator of the ABC Method (Awareness, Body, Compassion) and the ALARMS framework

Offers: Online course — Your Mind Body Prescription for Permanent Anxiety Healing; upcoming third book

Also Known As: "The Anxiety MD"

Links:

• 🌐 Website: The Anxiety MD
• 📷 Instagram: @TheAnxietyMD
• 📖 Book: Anxiety Rx

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

Dr. Tamiko Katsumoto is a Stanford rheumatologist who also runs a rare Rheumatology Oncology Clinic, treating patients whose cancer drugs trigger autoimmune flares. We break down why fiber is her #1 prescription, how forever chemicals hide in your fat for decades, and the simple gut hacks she uses with her own patients.

Chapters & Time-Stamps

00:40 Meet Dr Katsumoto

01:58 Why Lifestyle Medicine

03:24 Cancer Immunotherapy Basics

06:07 Fiber Microbiome Link

07:23 Diet Counseling in Clinic

08:59 Whole Food Plant Predominant

10:54 Practical Patient Resources

14:17 Lifestyle Trials for Arthritis

18:39 Leaky Gut Explained

20:07 ZOE Microbiome Mega Studies

23:30 Keto Carnivore Debate

25:46 Microbial Diversity Tips

27:19 Tracking 30 Plants Weekly

28:24 Food Scanning Apps

29:18 Yuka For Products

30:17 Microbiome Testing Debate

31:36 Fiber And Crucifers

32:23 Broccoli Sprouts Hack

34:15 Toxins And Plastics

35:54 Forever Chemicals PFAS

37:17 Legacy POPs Explained

43:59 Pesticides And EWG

47:12 Lowering Toxic Load

48:28 When Fiber Hurts

51:19 Wrap Up And Where To Find

Key Takeaways

• Cancer immunotherapy can trigger autoimmune arthritis as a side effect
• High-fiber, plant-forward eating improves both cancer and autoimmune outcomes
• Forever chemicals (PFAS, dioxins) accumulate in fat — especially animal fat
• Broccoli sprouts pack more detoxifying power than broccoli itself
• Apps like ZOE and Yuka make tracking food quality effortless

Guest Details & Links

Tamiko Katsumoto, MD, DipABLM is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University, board-certified in lifestyle medicine. She directs Stanford's Rheumatology Oncology Clinic, co-chairs the ACR Climate Change Task Force, and co-leads the Food Systems, Health and Environment Working Group at Stanford's Center for Human and Planetary Health.

• Stanford: profiles.stanford.edu/tamiko-katsumoto
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tamiko-katsumoto-md-dipablm-62b29915
• Instagram: @tamiko_katsumoto

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, Dr. Stephanie Cowie — a naturopathic doctor and psychotherapist who blends functional medicine with mental health expertise to treat burnout, gut dysfunction, and hormone imbalances that leave women feeling dismissed and unheard.

From burnout rooted in cortisol dysregulation to rage and irritability mistaken for a personality flaw instead of perimenopause, this episode is packed with real clinical insight and practical tools to help you finally read your body's signals correctly.

Chapters and Time-stamps

01:30 What Burnout Really Is

02:45 Her Personal Journey

04:23 Key Burnout Symptoms

06:03 Cortisol And Stress Physiology

07:29 Gut Issues In Burnout

08:53 Daily Habits That Worsen It

11:27 Mood Changes In Midlife

15:27 Tools To Regulate Sleep

17:28 Caffeine Effects And Swaps

20:59 Alcohol As A Coping Ritual

23:24 Perimenopause Habit Traps

25:58 Her Wind Down Routine

28:05 Early Warning Signs

30:21 Talking To Family And Work

32:27 Signs You Are Recovering

34:06 Labs To Rule Things Out

36:36 Protein First Nutrition Strategy

40:03 Hormone Supporting Foods

41:45 Final Wisdom And Where To Find Her

Key Takeaways

🔥 Burnout Isn't Laziness — It's an Empty Tank

⏰ Cortisol Has a Rhythm, and Burnout Breaks It

🍳 Breakfast Is the Glucose Regulator of Your Whole Day

😤 Rage That Doesn't Match the Moment Is a Signal, Not a Flaw

🌞 Morning Sunlight Beats Morning Scrolling — Every Time

🍷 That "Relaxing" Glass of Wine Is Sabotaging Your Sleep

🩸 Your Labs Can Tell You What Your Symptoms Can't

🛌 Healing Takes Patience — Rest First, Then Rebuild

Guest Details & Links

Guest: Dr. Stephanie Cowie, ND

Specialty: Naturopathic Doctor | Certified Nutritional Practitioner | Gut, Hormone & Burnout Health

Background: Struggled with debilitating exhaustion, brain fog, and bloating starting at age 22, after being repeatedly dismissed by practitioners as "just tired." That experience launched a years-long search for real answers — leading her to build a multidisciplinary practice treating burnout, gut health, and hormones through both a clinical and psychological lens.

Education: Naturopathic Doctor (ND); Bachelor of Arts, McGill University (Spanish major, Italian & French minors); Master's in Human Development and Applied Psychology (M.Ed), University of Toronto; Diploma in Holistic Psychotherapy

Certifications: Certified Nutritional Practitioner; Certified Life Coach; Certified Aromatherapy Health Practitioner

Past Work: Practiced as a psychotherapist before transitioning fully into naturopathic medicine; co-authored Evidence Informed Nutrition with Dr. Vizniak

Turning Point: Her own decade-long burnout — and the medical system's failure to explain it — pushed her to combine nutrition, functional labs, and nervous-system work into one integrated approach for women

Known For: Dual-licensed ND (Ontario & British Columbia) specializing in perimenopausal women; helping patients decode burnout through cortisol, blood sugar, and gut-brain connections

Offers: Customized gut and hormone strategies (Ontario & BC residents); upcoming online gut & hormone workshops

Links:

• 🌐 Website: drstephaniecowie.com
• 📷 Instagram: @dr.stephaniecowie
• 🎵 TikTok: @drstephaniecowieND

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Beth Biggee, integrative rheumatologist, to explore how circadian rhythm — not just diet — shapes autoimmune health. We break down when to eat, exercise, and take supplements based on your cortisol and melatonin cycles, plus how Ayurvedic dosha types and fasting research apply to rheumatoid arthritis.

Chapters + Timestamps

00:40 Meet Dr Beth Biggie

01:59 Her Integrative Journey

04:12 Circadian Rhythm Basics

07:04 Chrononutrition Timing

11:07 Hormones Sleep Repair

14:15 Fasting And Autophagy

18:10 Breakfast And Fiber

20:10 Best Time To Exercise

23:42 Chronotypes Night Owls

26:46 Ayurveda Doshas Sleep

30:09 Dinacharya Herbs Timing

32:03 Supplements And Med Timing

35:48 Milk Thistle For RA

37:21 Where To Find Dr Biggie

38:27 Final Takeaways

Key Takeaways:

Eat within a 12-hour window (roughly 6am–6pm) to sync with cortisol and melatonin

Time-restricted eating and fasting-mimicking diets may support autophagy and reduce inflammation

Ayurvedic dosha type can guide sleep, meal timing, and herb dosing

Milk thistle may protect the liver and reduce disease activity in methotrexate users

Exercise timing matters: gentle movement at sunrise, resistance training late afternoon

Guest Bio & Links

Dr. Beth Biggee provides holistic, human-centered autoimmune care at her direct care specialty practice, Lifestyle and Integrative Rheumatology, in North Andover, MA. She is triple board certified in Lifestyle Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Rheumatology, with certificates in Auricular Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Reiki, HeartMath, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. She is honored to support patients on their journey toward deeper healing and optimal health of mind, body, and spirit.

🔗 Website: www.bethbiggeemd.com

📍 North Andover, MA (serving MA & NH)

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!

Dr. Rebecca Hertel, DO, MSCP — an osteopathic physician and certified menopause practitioner who founded a telemedicine practice helping women navigate midlife with real answers instead of dismissal.

From estrogen fluctuations silently driving vertigo, tinnitus, and migraines to darkest-day thoughts that terrified her before she found real answers, this episode is packed with real clinical insight and practical tools to help you finally read your body's signals correctly.

Chapters and Time-stamps

01:24 Training Gaps In Menopause Care

02:22 Why She Chose Osteopathy

05:18 OMT In Real Practice

07:55 What Osteopathic Medicine Means

10:43 OMT Wins For Patients

12:54 Vertigo Tinnitus And Hormones

14:09 Her Perimenopause Wake Up Call

19:14 Symptoms And Dark Thoughts

22:04 Finding Help And Starting HRT

24:55 Gut Health Deep Dive

26:05 Hormone Tools Overview

26:39 Lifestyle Nonnegotiables

28:41 Longevity and Bone Health

31:31 Her Daily Routine

34:58 CGM and Blood Sugar

38:28 Zone Two Training Basics

41:27 Creatine and Collagen

43:22 Family Fitness Habits

44:55 Where to Find Her

🌪️ Perimenopause Can Look Like Rage, Not Just Hot Flashes

🌀 Vertigo & Tinnitus Are Often Estrogen, Not Aging

🧠 Brain Fog Can Steal Your Confidence at Work

🙊 40-60% of Women Have Mood Dysfunction — Nobody Talks About It

💉 Hormone Therapy Is Support, Not a Magic Fix

🩸 A CGM Can Reveal Blood Sugar Swings You'd Never Suspect

💪 Creatine Isn't Just for Muscle — It Protects Your Brain

🏃 Zone 2 + Sleep Are the Longevity Basics That Actually Work

Guest: Dr. Rebecca Hertel, DO, MSCP

Specialty: Board-Certified Osteopathic Family Medicine Physician | Certified Menopause Practitioner | Midlife & Menopause Care

Background: Despite being a physician, Rebecca went undiagnosed through years of debilitating perimenopause symptoms — irritability, brain fog, migraines, vertigo, and even frightening intrusive thoughts — while being told it was "just aging" or she was "too young for this." That experience launched her deep dive into menopause medicine and led her to build the practice she couldn't find herself.

Education: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine; Family Medicine residency; trained under Dr. Heather Hirsch in menopause care

Certifications: Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP)

Past Work: Nearly 20 years in family medicine, incorporating osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); developed an OMT clinic during residency; moonlighted and trained under leading menopause specialists before launching her own telemedicine practice

Turning Point: Her own undiagnosed, years-long perimenopause crisis — including dark, frightening thoughts and life-altering vertigo — pushed her to specialize fully in midlife women's health and hormone optimization

Known For: Founder & CEO of Osteopathic Midlife Health; Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at LECOM; host of Midlife Minute news series; blending hormone therapy, OMT, and lifestyle medicine for women in perimenopause and menopause

Offers: Telemedicine menopause care through Osteopathic Midlife Health; provider/community education and speaking

• 📷 Instagram: @DrRebeccaHertelDO
• 🎥 YouTube: Rebecca Hertel MSCP
• 🎙️ Podcasts: Dusty Muffins™, The Founder's Series
• 📺 News Series: Midlife Minute

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!