Autoimmune Alchemy

Dr. Yousef Zarbalian — "Dr. Z" — a board-certified rheumatologist who combines Chinese herbal medicine, medical acupuncture, and therapeutic fasting to treat autoimmune conditions that conventional medicine struggles to address.

From a patient achieving 85% pain relief without pharmaceuticals to a hopeless fibromyalgia case turning around in just three weeks, this episode is packed with real clinical stories and practical integrative tools you won't hear anywhere else.

Key Takeaways:

• Therapeutic fasting (Buchinger-style: herbal tea + vegetable broth) can dramatically reduce autoimmune inflammation — one patient saw 85% pain relief without any pharmaceuticals
• Chinese herbal formulas treat patterns, not just symptoms, using 8–12 herbs together — frankincense, myrrh, and coix seed are among Dr. Z's go-to anti-inflammatory herbs
• Early intervention is key — the less structural joint damage present, the greater the opportunity to heal with integrative tools alone
• Low-carb, low-starch diets show the strongest evidence for spondyloarthritis and RA, but no single diet works for everyone
• Elimination and reintroduction beats food sensitivity testing every time — IgG panels can mislead more than they help
• Herbal medicine can reduce the side effects of DMARDs like methotrexate, making it a powerful partner to Western treatment rather than a replacement
• Thunder God Vine studied head-to-head against methotrexate showed non-inferior results — but sourcing and dosing still need careful attention

Chapters & Time-stamps

01:01 Meet Dr Z

02:11 Path to Integrative Rheumatology

04:30 Why Herbs Work

05:42 Personalized Medicine Limits

07:03 When to Use Drugs

09:15 Therapeutic Fasting Explained

17:34 Diet Strategies by Condition

21:21 Food Sensitivities and Testing

23:05 Herbal Formulas for Inflammation

26:11 Mixing Herbs with Meds

29:41 Surprising Patient Turnarounds

35:12 Mindset and Healing

36:04 Final Message and Where to Find Dr Z

About Dr. Yousef Zarbalian (Dr. Z):

Board-certified rheumatologist, herbalist, and medical acupuncturist. Founder of East West Rheumatology in Vienna, VA.

Connect with Dr. Z:

• Website: www.eastwestmd.com
• Instagram: @eastwestmd | @dr.youssef_zarbalian
• Facebook: East West Rheumatology

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!

Today's guest is the incredible Christine Ruch — holistic nutrition expert, nervous system healing coach, and a woman who walked away from everything — three thriving food businesses, a 30-year marriage, and life as she knew it — to find out why doing everything "right" still left her sick.

Christine's personal journey from an MS and celiac diagnosis to closing her Boulder, Colorado restaurants, moving solo to the jungles of Costa Rica, and discovering the one missing piece that finally changed her health — her nervous system — is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this episode, we go deep into why emotional capacity is the most underrated healing tool in chronic illness, how childhood wounds keep your nervous system locked in fight-or-flight, her simple 30-second practice that begins to shift your baseline, and why your body never lies — even when your mind does. If you've been eating clean, doing all the things, and still not healing — this one is for YOU.

Chapters and Time-Stamps

00:53 Meet Christine Ruch

01:28 MS Diagnosis to Nutrition

02:25 Costa Rica Reset

08:56 Emotional Capacity Basics

12:27 Creating Inner Safety

16:23 Nature and Embodiment

18:55 30 Second Practice

22:18 Releasing Stored Trauma

27:29 Finding Your Light

30:19 Client Transformations

31:47 Programs and Farewell

Key Takeaways

🍽️Food Is a Powerful First Gateway to Healing

⚠️The "Perfect Lifestyle" Can Still Leave You Sick

🌿The Nervous System Is the Missing Piece

🧘Build Emotional Capacity, 30 Seconds at a Time

💬You Are Not Your Emotions

🫀The Body Never Lies — Learn to Listen to It

✨Healing Becomes Embodied, Not a Daily Practice to Remember

Guest: Christine Ruch

Specialty: Nervous System Healing Coach | Holistic Nutrition | Autoimmune Wellness

Background: Diagnosed with MS & celiac disease 20 years ago; healed through food and nervous system work

Education: Degree in Holistic Nutrition

Past Work: Ran 3 food businesses in Boulder, Colorado for ~10 years

Training: Mentorship with two healers in Costa Rica; trained alongside therapists & healing arts practitioners

Offers1:1 coaching calls, webinars, and a 3-month nervous system healing program

Links:

🌐https://www.christineruch.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!

In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I'm joined by my friend and integrative medicine colleague, Dr. Saimun Singla — a pediatric rheumatologist who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis only after becoming a full-fledged rheumatologist herself.

We dig into the real differences between juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and adult RA, why even doctors miss their own diagnoses, and how she blends Western medicine with diet, supplements, and mind-body therapy to get kids (and adults) into remission.

Chapters and Time-Stamps

00:37 Meet Dr Saimun Singla

01:46 JIA vs RA Explained

03:26 Spotting JIA in Toddlers

05:28 Her Postpartum RA Diagnosis

08:23 When Treatments Keep Failing

11:49 Finding Remission and Reading Flares

13:12 Integrative Treatment Approach

15:28 Symptoms and Differential Diagnosis

18:48 Pediatric Only Conditions CRMO

21:13 When Families Fear Meds

23:14 Treat Early Remission

23:48 Prevent Permanent Damage

25:04 Risks Benefits Middle Ground

25:32 Not Forever Meds

26:36 Complementary Clinic Tools

27:54 Supplements For Kids

29:52 Best Diet Basics

32:47 Mind Body Regulation

34:50 Mind Body For Kids

36:10 Vagus Nerve And VR

38:00 Remarkable Recovery Story

40:06 Final Advice And Contact

Key Takeaways:

• JIA vs RA: under 16 = JIA (7 subtypes), 16+ = RA, even though joint patterns differ
• Dr. Singla's own RA diagnosis came a year after she became an attending — proof doctors make the worst patients
• Fatigue and morning hand stiffness were her first red flags, easily dismissed as postpartum exhaustion
• CRMO is a pediatric-only bone condition that can mimic infection and later evolve into ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis
• Treatment isn't just medication — sleep, stress, and micronutrients (vitamin D, iron) fuel or calm inflammation
• The Mediterranean/anti-inflammatory diet has the strongest evidence; elimination + reintroduction personalizes it further
• Mind-body medicine = nervous system regulation; for kids that means play therapy, guided imagery, and breathwork, not adult meditation
• Vagus nerve stimulation and VR breathing tools are growing in popularity, especially for teens
• Biologics aren't forever — the goal is lowest effective dose, or none, once remission is reached
• Untreated inflammation carries long-term risk: heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, not just joint damage

About Dr. Saimun Singla:

Pediatric rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician treating autoimmune and chronic illness in children and young adults. Diagnosed with RA after becoming an attending rheumatologist, she brings a rare dual lens — physician and patient — to her work. Founder and CEO of Rheum to Grow, a naturally-minded, scientifically-grounded practice in Houston, TX blending Western and Eastern medicine.

Connect with Dr. Singla:

Website: rheumtogrowtx.com (book a free 15-min call)

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 the incredible Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad — integrative internal medicine physician, gut health specialist, SIBO expert, and founder of OC Integrative Medicine in Fullerton, California.

Dr. Rajshree's personal journey from debilitating bloating, food intolerances, and daily nausea to healing her own SIBO naturally is nothing short of transformational.

We go deep into why so many IBS diagnoses miss the real root cause, the difference between hydrogen and methane SIBO, her powerful 4-phase herbal protocol, and how healing your gut can reverse everything from skin rashes to anxiety to autoimmune flares. If you've been told to just "live with" your gut symptoms — this one is for YOU.

Chapters and Time-Stamps

00:53 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:27 Why SIBO Gets Missed

03:39 What SIBO Does in Gut

05:42 IBS vs SIBO Types

07:48 Herbal Protocol Origin Story

12:25 Four Phase SIBO Plan

14:33 Testing to Rule Out Causes

20:33 Microbiome Diet and Cravings

22:16 Stress Food and Antibiotics

25:34 Histamine and Probiotic Pitfalls

28:35 Best Supplements Digestive Enzymes

30:16 Digestive Enzyme Stack

30:53 Magnesium for Constipation

31:58 Motility Activator Basics

32:27 Phase-Based SIBO Strategy

34:10 Meal Spacing and MMC

35:23 Low-Bloat Food Swaps

36:57 Mindful Eating and Portions

39:19 Reintroducing Foods Safely

41:48 Nausea Relief Tools

43:57 Acid vs Non-Acid Reflux

50:34 Gut-Immune Connection Wrap

53:30 Where to Find Dr Rajshree

Key Takeaways

🦠 IBS Is a Label, Not a Diagnosis

🧪 Know Your SIBO Type

🌿 Fix the Foundation Before Killing Bacteria

💊 Three Supplements That Change Everything

🍽️ Meal Spacing Is Medicine

🔬 Your Gut Drives Your Immune System

🥛 Go Slow With Reintroduction

Guest: Dr. Rasjree Nambudripad, MD

Specialty: Integrative Internal Medicine | Gut Health | SIBO Expert

Practice Location: Fullerton, California

Training: Internal Medicine Residency at Northwestern University; Gastroenterology Fellowship at UC Irvine

Links:

• Website: oc-integrative-medicine.com
• 📺 YouTube: @drrajsree
• 📸 Instagram: @dr_rajsree_nambudripad

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 does it actually look like when a patient goes from swollen joints, X-ray erosions, and almost starting a biologic — to zero inflammation, no medications, and running on a treadmill again? In this episode, I sit down with my patient Jenny Heiss, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for 10 years. Her road to remission is one of the most remarkable I've seen in my clinic, and I wanted her to share it in her own words.

We talk about her decade-long search through conventional rheumatology, holistic practitioners, ozone therapy, and methotrexate side effects — and the three things that finally turned everything around: Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN), MSM supplementation, and Low-Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) using a Proteus/Klebsiella antigen. Jenny has now been in full remission for 2.5 years with zero joint inflammation on labs and zero disease limitations. This one is for anyone who's been told biologics are their only option.

Key Takeaways

• Seronegative RA is still real RA
• Methotrexate isn't the only answer — and side effects are real
• MSM was a surprisingly powerful first step
• LDI works by retraining the immune system, not suppressing it
• Root cause matters — bacteria may trigger RA
• Food is medicine — and Jenny proved it early on
• Remission means getting your life back — completely
• There's no right or wrong path to healing

Chapters & Time-Stamps

00:56 Meet Jenny Hess

01:47 First Signs and Diagnosis

02:53 Methotrexate Experience

03:19 Holistic Detours and Setbacks

04:41 Minocycline and Moving States

07:02 Seropositive Shift and Fears

09:01 Starting Care With Dr Yu

09:33 Supplements and LDN Gains

10:11 LDI and Lab Turnaround

12:07 Life in Remission

14:53 Current Regimen Breakdown

15:44 How LDI Works

17:34 Diet and Lifestyle Foundations

19:38 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

Guest & links

Jenny Heiss — Patient & RA Remission Advocate

• Patient of Dr. Micah Yu | 10-year RA journey, now in full remission
• No social media listed — her story speaks for itself

Dr. Micah Yu, MD — Host

• Integrative Rheumatologist & Functional Medicine | Newport Beach, CA
• Clinic: drlifestyle.org
• LDI episode reference: Search "Dr. Ty Vincent" on Autoimmune Alchemy

Dr. Micah Yu, DC, CFMP

Functional Medicine Practitioner & Host of AutoImmune Alchemy

Dr. Micah Yu is a doctor of chiropractic and certified functional medicine practitioner specializing in autoimmune conditions and chronic illness. He recognizes mold exposure as a common root cause of autoimmune disease, particularly in patients with long-haul COVID who suddenly develop mold sensitivities. Dr. Yu is passionate about educating his community on environmental toxins and bringing expert voices like John Banta to help patients understand the hidden triggers affecting their health. He practices integrative medicine with his wife, creating a dynamic team dedicated to uncovering root causes and supporting patients on their healing journey.

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.

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 chronic conditions.

Hosted by Dr. Micah Yu, the show explores root causes like mold exposure, infections, and environmental toxins that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode features expert interviews and cutting-edge treatments to help listeners understand the "why" behind their illness and find pathways to healing.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy:

• Website: MyautoimmunemdHome – New
• 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 mold's role in chronic illness, please leave a 5-star review!

This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or remediation. Individual results may vary.

If you've been bouncing between specialists with no answers, this episode might be the missing piece.

Dr. Melissa Mondala and I break down everything you need to know about Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — one of the most underdiagnosed conditions we see at our clinic.

From head-to-toe symptoms and tricky lab work to root causes like long COVID, mold, Lyme disease, and trauma, we cover it all — and share the exact treatment tools we use.

Key Takeaways

• MCAS is a master mimicker
• Tryptase alone is not enough
• Symptoms are the diagnosis when labs fail
• Always look for the root cause
• MCAS, POTS & hypermobility often travel together
• Trauma and stress are real biological triggers
• Diet and lifestyle are the foundation — not an afterthought
• MCAS treatment is never one-size-fits-all

Chapters & TimeStamps

1:12 — What Is MCAS? (Overview)

2:42 — What Are Mast Cells?

8:49 — Lab Testing for MCAS

13:23 — Diagnosis Criteria (Consensus 1 & 2)

16:07 — Root Causes of MCAS

16:35 — Long Haul COVID & POTS

24:47 — Mold Exposure as a Trigger

32:17 — Treatment Approach

37:32 — Prescription Medications (LDN, Ketotifen, Cromolyn, Xolair)

39:48 — GLP-1s, Peptides & Closing Remarks

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!

Today's guest is the incredible Dr. Vincent Pedre — integrative physician, Medical Director of Pedre Integrative Health in NYC, founder of Happy Gut Health, and bestselling author of Happy Gut and The Gut Smart Protocol.

Dr. Vincent's personal journey from 20+ rounds of childhood antibiotics to healing his own IBS, eczema, and leaky gut is nothing short of transformational.

In this episode, we go deep into the gut-immune connection, the power of fermented foods, peptide therapy, mitochondrial health, and even the hidden toxins in your morning coffee. If you have an autoimmune condition, chronic inflammation, or just want to optimize your gut — this one is for YOU.

0:56 Introduction & Welcome

2:00 Dr. Pedre's Personal Gut Health Journey

6:02 Childhood Foods & Antibiotic Overuse

6:48 Discovering Functional Medicine & Diet Clean-Up

10:33 Going Gluten-Free & Building a Clean Home

11:27 Dr. Pedre's Books: Happy Gut & The Gut Smart Protocol

13:33 Fermented Foods vs. High Fiber Diet Study

14:21 Gut Microbiome Diversity Explained

18:54 Fermented Foods Win Over Fiber for Inflammation

20:29 How Fermented Foods Increase Gut Diversity

24:13 Pesticides, Glyphosate & Gut Disruption

25:08 Leaky Gut, Dysbiosis & Chronic Disease

26:18 Gluten, Dairy & Healing Food Intolerances

26:52 Peptide Therapy for Gut Healing

30:12 What Are Peptides & How They Work

31:21 GLP-1 Medications — Benefits & Cautions

32:34 Key Supplements: L-Glutamine, Zinc, Omega-3s

35:08 Mitochondria: The Next Frontier in Health

37:10 Mitochondrial Damage: Antibiotics, Toxins & EMF

40:15 Red Light Therapy & Mitochondrial Energy

43:23 GLP-1 & SIBO — What's the Connection?

45:37 Happy Gut Coffee — The Origin Story

48:53 Coffee's Hidden Dangers & Health Benefits

50:58 Where to Find Dr. Pedre & Happy Gut Coffee

Dr. Vincent Pedre, MD Integrative & Functional Medicine Physician | Gut Health Expert | Author

• 🌐 Website: happygut.com
• ☕ Happy Gut Coffee: happygutcoffee.com
• 📸 Instagram: @DrPedre
• 📚 Books: Happy Gut | The Gut Smart Protocol

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!

SHOW NOTES

On this episode of AutoImmune Alchemy, I sit down with Dr. Scott Antoine — triple board-certified integrative and functional medicine physician, Amazon bestselling author, and one of the leading experts in PANS and PANDAS.

His journey into this field began when his own daughter Emma was suddenly struck with severe OCD, defiance, and behavioral changes at age 12 — only to recover dramatically after IVIG treatment. That experience changed everything.

If you've ever wondered why your child's psychiatric diagnosis didn't respond to treatment, or if their symptoms came on suddenly out of nowhere, this conversation could be life-changing.

Chapters & Time-Stamps

1:01 Dr. Antoine's Personal Story with PANDAS

3:19 What is PANS & PANDAS?

5:47 IVIG & Insurance Coverage

7:10 History of the Diagnosis

10:32 Medical Acceptance & Controversy

18:27 Diagnosis & Workup

29:10 Mycoplasma & Epstein-Barr Virus

36:53 Treatment Monitoring & Antibiotic Duration

45:41 Holistic Treatment Approach

48:55 Final Words & Hope for Families

49:49 Where to Find Dr. Antoine

Guest Details

Triple board-certified integrative & functional medicine physician, PANS/PANDAS expert, and author of the Amazon bestselling Comprehensive Physician's Guide to the Management of PANS & PANDAS. Co-owner of the Center for Fully Functional Health in Carmel, Indiana.

🔗 fullyfunctional.com

🔗 thepandasdocs.com

📱 @thepandasdocs

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 powerful episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with Dr. Jila Senemar — OB/GYN, longevity physician, and founder of the Miami Menopause Collective. With 20 years of experience, Dr. Jila is rewriting the narrative around menopause — from fear to freedom.

We cover everything from early perimenopause signs and comprehensive lab testing to bioidentical hormones, PCOS, microplastics, and why lifestyle always comes first.

If you've ever felt dismissed by your doctor, this episode is for YOU.

• It's not anti-aging — it's longevity.
• Lifestyle is non-negotiable first.
• Perimenopause doesn't start with hot flashes.
• Iron deficiency is massively underdiagnosed.
• Your cardiovascular risk skyrockets after menopause.
• All bioidentical hormones are FDA-approved.
• Comprehensive labs are not expensive.
• PCOS and endometriosis are driven by environment.
• Food can restore ovulatory cycles in PCOS.
• Women need time, not a 5-minute visit.

01:34 What Anti Aging Means

03:04 Start With Lifestyle Basics

04:58 When Stress Catches Up

07:57 Early Perimenopause Clues

10:46 Menopause As New Chapter

13:02 Stepwise Plan And Supplements

16:57 Red Light And Sauna Reality

18:25 Labs To Check First

22:19 Cardio Risk After Fifty

24:40 When To Consider Hormones

25:49 Hormone Therapy Reframed

27:01 Bioidentical and Delivery Options

28:23 Hormones Autoimmunity and Heart Risk

29:02 PCOS Metabolic Roots

30:52 Toxins and Fertility Trends

32:22 Endometriosis New Science

33:07 Optimizing Women in Their 20s

34:52 Patient Wins Lifestyle and Listening

40:08 Why Womens Health Needed More

43:25 Miami Menopause Collective and Empower

47:04 Where to Find Her

47:49 Closing Thanks and Takeaways

Dr. Jila Senemar, MD | OB/GYN | Longevity & Women's Health Physician

Founder — Miami Menopause Collective Host — Her Time, Her Health Podcast

Perimenopause · Menopause · Hormones Longevity Medicine · Women's Integrative Health

20+ Years in OB/GYN & Women's Health Based in Miami, Florida

CONNECT

🌐 jilamd.com

📸 @drjilasenemar (Instagram)

🎙️ Podcast: Her Time, Her Health 📍 Miami, Florida

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, I sit down with my fellow Andrew Weil Center cohort member and dear friend, Dr. Micah Howard — integrative physician, hypnotherapist, and Alabama's trailblazer in root-cause medicine.

We dive DEEP into the testosterone conversation most doctors are getting wrong. Is TRT always necessary? What's really driving the hormonal crash in men? And what can herbs, lifestyle, and nitric oxide do before you ever pick up a syringe?

Whether you're navigating autoimmune disease, fatigue, or hormonal imbalance — this one's for you.

10 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Testosterone isn't a fix-all.
• Body fat is the #1 testosterone killer.
• Endocrine disruptors are real and everywhere.
• Remove the poison before you add anything.
• Natural boosters work — if you give them time.
• Nitric oxide is the unsung hero of men's health.
• Testosterone levels are wildly dynamic.
• GLP-1s are a double-edged sword.
• Testosterone can improve autoimmune symptoms.
• Sugar is hormonal sabotage — and it's addictive by design.

CHAPTERS

01:52 Testosterone Hype And Risks

04:19 Why Levels Are Dropping

07:03 Endocrine Disruptors

09:04 GLP One Tradeoffs

10:17 Target Levels And Testing

13:12 Deficiency Signs And Vascular Health

14:37 Lifestyle Before TRT

18:18 Women And Testosterone

20:13 Natural Boosters And Herbs

23:54 Hibiscus For Water Retention

24:25 Hawthorn And Vessel Support

25:08 Ginseng And Key Adjuncts

27:27 Best Forms To Take

29:25 Stacking Versus Single Herbs

30:19 Men Versus Women Use

31:18 Trial Timelines And Goals

33:41 Testosterone Delivery Options

36:01 Autoimmune Links And Sugar Breaks

39:59 Wrap Up And Where To Find

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Micah Howard, MD, ABOIM Board-Certified Integrative & Family Physician | CEO & Medical Director, Healing University Alabama's first integrative primary care clinic — rooted in Ayurvedic, Native American & evidence-based medicine.

🎓 Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Fellow

📍 Decatur, Alabama

📖 Author of Body of Work + 7 published collections

🌐 Website: bewellconnective.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

About Your Hosts

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!