Conversations for Health

From a young age, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog has been deeply drawn to the natural world and the field of natural medicine. Her academic journey encompasses a diverse range of disciplines including massage therapy, martial arts, midwifery, and herbal medicine, before going to earn her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She is the Founding Director of the Medicine Lodge Academy, and Dr. Low Dog served as a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties' American Board of Integrative Medicine. Her leadership extends to her tenure as Director of the first Inter-professional Fellowship in Integrative Health and Medicine, Fellowship Director for the University of Arizona's Center for Integrative Medicine that was founded by Andrew Weil, MD, and Co-Founder and guiding teacher for the New York Zen Center's Fellowship in Contemplative Medicine. She currently oversees the Fellowship of Integrative and Functional Medicine at the University of California-Irvine's Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. Recognized as a foremost authority in integrative medicine, women's health, dietary supplements, and herbal medicine, her scholarly work encompasses over 54 peer-reviewed scientific articles, 25 chapters in medical textbooks, and numerous authoritative books on health and medicine. Dr. Low Dog's global influence is highlighted by her participation in over 600 medical and scientific conferences worldwide.

Dr. Low Dog has had a great impact on my professional work and it is an absolute honor to have her on the podcast today. Together we discuss the incredible impact that she has had on both the holistic and traditional medicine communities and how she has effectively worked to bridge the gaps between herbal medicine and traditional medicine. She reflects on the importance of continuing her education to expand her own knowledge and effectiveness and the power that comes with admitting that, even as a lifelong learner and practitioner, she doesn't know everything. She also shares insights into the offerings from her Foundations in Herbal Medicine program and highlights the value of using herbs in clinical practice. Together we discuss the dismal state of nutrition in America today and consider drug-nutrient interaction and depletion, strategies for effectively weaning patients off of PPIs, and the many plants and supplements that she recommends in achieving whole health and healing.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Key Takeaways:

[3:16] From herbalist, midwife, and martial arts instructor to medical school student, Dr. Low Dog recalls the moment she realized the limits to what she could do without a medical degree.

[7:15] The importance of training clinicians and expanding practitioners' knowledge of botanical medicine.

[11:16] Encouraging healing and creating change in the US healthcare system.

[15:18] Bridging the gap between herbal medicine and traditional medicinal care.

[21:00] Dr. Low Dog offers insights into the offerings from her Foundations in Herbal Medicine program.

[23:32] Treating anxiety with nervings starts with considering how a patient views the world.

[29:20] The value of storytelling when helping patients understand the value of plants in their healthcare.

[34:14] Accurate dosing based on patient information and health profile.

[38:16] Recommendations for herbs that are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

[42:47] The current state of nutritional health in the United States and the drug-nutrient interaction and depletion.

[49:02] Dr. Low Dog's recommendations for transitioning patients off PPI's, including utilizing melatonin.

[53:38] Dr. Low Dog shares what she has changed her mind about over her years of practice, her favorite supplements, and the health practices that keep her balanced.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog - https://www.drlowdog.com/

Medicine Lodge Academy - https://www.medicinelodgeranch.com/

U.S. Pharmacopeia - https://www.usp.org/

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Dr. Geo Espinosa is a renowned Naturopathic and Functional Medicine doctor specializing in urology and men's health. He has over two decades of experience and has provided care to thousands of men, addressing various urological and male health issues, from sexual dysfunction and low testosterone to different prostate conditions, including cancer. Leveraging natural therapeutics and integrative medicine based on rigorous clinical and scientific research, he and his team strive to offer the most up-to-date information and treatments. As a faculty member at the NYU Langone Department of Urology, Dr. Espinosa collaborates with some of the world's leading urologists. Dr. Geo is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and formulator at the male-focused nutraceutical company XY Wellness, LLC and its sister company Mr. Happy. He is the co-founder and producer of the popular male health website, DrGeo.com, and the popular urological and male-focused podcast, The Dr. Geo Podcast. As an avid researcher and writer, Dr. Geo has authored numerous scientific papers and books, including co-editing the Integrative Sexual Health book, and author of the best-selling prostate cancer book: Thrive, Don't Only Survive.

Together Dr. Geo and I address some of the most commonly asked questions regarding men's health, from testosterone levels to prostate cancer prevention and the impact and potentially negative effects of testosterone replacement therapy on fertility and sperm production. Dr. Geo highlights ways to boost testosterone naturally, including nutraceuticals and lifestyle choices, and underscores the importance of recent findings from research addressing high levels of testosterone replacement therapy. He offers baseline screening advice for practitioners who are not specialized in men's health, insights into the key differences between prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and shares his approach to treating nocturia, or excessive nighttime urination. This conversation is filled with clinical pearls and insights into the world of prostate health.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Geo Espinosa - https://drgeo.com/

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Clinical Study: Geranylgeraniol Supplementation May Benefit Males With Low Testosterone - https://americanrivernutrition.com/geranylgeraniol-supplementation-may-benefit-males-with-low-testosterone-clinical-study/

Nutrition Blog: The Biochemistry of Ashwagandha - https://www.casi.org/biochemistry-of-ashwagandha

Science Update: New review demonstrates the role of ashwagandha in male infertility - https://www.casi.org/node/746

Nutrition Blog: Zinc - One of the Major Influencers of Male Fertility - https://www.casi.org/node/1109

Lifestyle Vlog: Magnesium for Men's Health - https://www.casi.org/patient-blog/magnesium-for-men-s-health

Research Blog: Boron – Not Boring at All - https://www.casi.org/node/790

Research Blog: Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone - https://www.casi.org/natural-ways-to-boost-testosterone

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:06 Dr. Geo explains how the field of men's health chose him and has continued to fascinate him.

05:36 An overview of the role of testosterone, how and where in the body it's made, and common process interruption points.

08:47 Nutrients that Leydig cells need in order to effectively produce testosterone.

10:26 Lab markers and hormones, in addition to total testosterone, that Dr. Geo looks for in a new patient.

14:12 Dr. Geo's recommendations for clomiphene, a drug that is used to stimulate the production of testosterone.

15:58 Considerations and cautions for testosterone hormone replacement therapy and levels for SHGB and DHT.

21:41 Testosterone metabolism measurements and the utilization of DIM and chrysin to address high estrogen levels.

22:58 The impact and potentially negative effects of testosterone replacement therapy on fertility and sperm production.

29:11 Findings from research addressing high levels of testosterone replacement therapy.

30:16 Ways to boost testosterone naturally include tonkadale, ashwagandha, and fenugreek.

31:37 Lifestyle changes that can increase testosterone levels including improved sleep and exercise.

35:32 Controversy around PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing for prostate health and prostate cancer screening.

38:58 Unraveling the numbers behind PSA density, 4k scores, and IsoPSA testing when screening for prostate cancer.

42:41 Baseline screening advice for practitioners who are not specialized in men's health.

44:49 Dr. Geo's advice for prostate cancer prevention through healthy lifestyle choices and formulated nutraceuticals.

52:39 Insights and key differences of prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

56:07 Dr. Geo's approach to treating nocturia, or excessive nighttime urination.

1:00:44 Nutraceutical recommendations for prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

1:03:15 Dr. Geo's changed opinion of medicines in the field of urology, his favorite personal supplements, and his favorite health practices.

Dr. Navaz Habib is the bestselling author of Activate Your Vagus Nerve and the newly released Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve. He is also the host of 'The Health Upgrade Podcast'. After graduating as class valedictorian from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2010 he went on to practice traditional chiropractic for years until he utilized the power of functional medicine to transform his own health. Dr. Habib is the founder of 'Health Upgraded', an online functional health consulting clinic, supporting optimal health by elevating the awareness and function of the Vagus nerve.

Together Dr. Habib and I dive into the details of the Vagus nerve, including what exactly it is, how Vagus nerve function is assessed, and tools that practitioners can utilize to optimize Vagus nerve health in their patients or clients. We discuss common conditions and symptoms that can be linked to Vagus nerve dysfunction and the four major possible causes that can lead to Vagus nerve dysfunction including daily, physical, biochemical, and psychological stressors. Dr. Habib highlights the critical role of breath and breathing in Vagus nerve stimulation as well as the importance of reducing stressors, engaging gut function, engaging in stress-reducing psychological therapy, exercise and recovery, and managing daily emotional and psychological stressors to optimize this lesser-known but critical component of optimal health.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Navaz Habib - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

Truvaga - https://www.truvaga.com/

gammaCore - https://www.gammacore.com/

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Research Blog: Probiotics and the Vagus Nerve – a New Frontier for Psychiatric Conditions - https://www.casi.org/node/892

Science Update: Recent Review Explores Relationship Between Pain Perception and the Gut Microbiome - https://www.casi.org/node/1567

Research Blog: The Supportive Role of L-Glutamine in Mental Health and Gut Health - https://www.casi.org/Supportive-Role-L-Glutamine-Mental%20Health-Gut-Health

Blog: Lifestyle Choices for Cardiovascular Wellness: The Latest Clinical Research - https://www.casi.org/lifestyle-choices-cardiovascular-wellness-latest-clinical-research

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

01:54 What is the Vagus nerve and what do all practitioners need to know about it?

04:30 Dr. Habib's personal health journey brought him into the functional medicine world.

06:43 The body-brain connection and the afferent and efferent fibers of the Vagus nerve.

10:14 The influence of the Vagus nerve on the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic.

12:28 Is the Vagus nerve actually the problem or the symptom?

15:01 Common conditions and symptoms that can be linked to Vagus nerve dysfunction.

18:43 Four possible causes that can lead to Vagus nerve dysfunction including daily, physical, biochemical and psychological stressors.

26:00 Dr. Habib's approach to assessing Vagus nerve function and HRV signals as recommendations for when to push and when to recover.

30:10 Variables and measurements to consider when recommending HRV tools.

32:48 Tactics for improving heart rate variability and Vagus nerve function.

36:46 Expected results from the electric stimulation of the cervical trunk of the Vagus nerve.

39:00 A comparison of the Truvagu and GammaCore nerve stimulator devices.

40:35 Dr. Habib highlights case studies of using electrical stimulation in his practice.

46:40 Three key recommendations for Vagus nerve stimulation at home.

53:25 Enhancing breath control through daily practices of humming, gargling, chanting, and singing.

57:25 Advances in Vagus nerve research and inflammation.

59:51 Dr. Habib personal favorite supplements, top health practices that keep him resilient and healthy, and the daily health practice that he has changed his mind about.

A highly regarded lecturer, teacher, and innovative fascia therapist, Simone Fortier is also the author of How to Beat Brain Burps (an exercise-based way for children to ignite all facets of their brain for streamlined learning) and Gaining Control Over Pain which contains eleven secret healing therapies that patients can practice in their own time. As an acclaimed International Concussion Teacher and ADHD Consultant, her expertise extends far beyond the realms of traditional therapy. Simone is a Fascia Treatment and Course creator, whose results have been hailed as transformative by professionals across the globe, from the elite spheres of NHL, MLB, and NFL athletes to the precision-driven world of Olympic competitors. Simone sees the bigger picture and works backward. Knowing that treating the symptom of a problem will lead to continuous treatments without resolution, she teaches us to get to the root cause of the problem to create permanent change. Sought after in the four corners of the world, Simone's mission has always been to help people. Now, with her expertise in high demand, she travels the world to share her knowledge with Health Practitioners and Advanced strength Coaches so that their clients and athletes will have access to true fascia therapy and the ability to find real brain-boosting and pain-healing solutions in their own locations.

Together Dr. Simone and I discuss traumatic brain injury, brain health, ADHD, and specifically, healing in the 20% of people who do not heal from traumatic brain injuries within 4 weeks. Simone has personal experience with ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain, and has dedicated her professional life to serving those with brain injuries through systems that optimize healing with supplements that get the brain out of fight or flight mode. In our conversation, she underscores the danger of picking and choosing which supplements to take each day and highlights key components of her systematic approach to treating neurotransmitter issues. Simone also touches on the importance of attending to the fascia and offers simple techniques to engage the fascia for optimal health.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Simone Fortier

Simone's Brain Health Assessment

Designs for Health

Nutrition Blog: Can Taurine Support Neurological Health?

Nutrition Blog: The Association of Vitamin D and ADHD in Children

Research Blog: Taurine's Impact on Stress and Mental Health

Research Blog: The Potential Role of the GABAergic System in ADHD Development

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:22 Simone's personal experience with ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain.

06:18 Simone's head injury systems and supplement collaboration with Designs for Health.

07:40 80% of people heal from brain injuries within 4 weeks, but what options are available for the other 20%?

10:52 ADHD does not develop as a result of brain injury, rather it is a genetic condition that people are born with.

14:07 Simone's approach to treating brain injuries with higher supplemental doses that get the brain out of fight-or-flight mode.

20:10 The danger of picking and choosing which supplements to take each day.

25:48 Key components of Simone's systematic approach to treating neurotransmitter issues.

29:42 Reasons that supplemental blends may compete rather than optimize performance.

33:40 Success stories of Simone's systems for injured athletes who have been self-medicating.

35:55 Highlights from Simone's current research regarding nutrient deficiencies and genetics.

40:11 Forward head posture and other physical aspects that are impacting the fascia.

44:44 Simone's long-time fascial work and approach to engaging the fascia to open up.

48:58 Nutrition and timing of taurine supplements to help the 20% that don't heal from brain injuries.

50:51 Simone's changing perspective on nutrition and the importance of supplements, her personal favorite supplements, and her preferred health practices.

Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC, is the founder and CEO of The Integrative Women's Health Institute, The Outsmart Endo Health Coaching Program, and the creator of the Women's Health Coach Certification. She is passionate about caring for and empowering people who struggle with women's and pelvic health concerns. She is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians and wellness professionals in confidently and safely using integrative tools to transform women's and pelvic healthcare. Dr. Drummond has two decades of clinical experience as a licensed physical therapist, licensed clinical nutritionist, and board-certified health coach working with women with pelvic pain, including endometriosis, vulvodynia, and bladder pain syndrome. She brings a unique, conservative, and integrative approach to supporting women to overcome hormonal imbalances and chronic pain conditions. She is a sought-after international speaker on topics such as integrative pelvic pain management, natural fertility options, optimal hormone health, menopause, and female athlete nutrition. Dr. Drummond was educated at the University of Virginia, Emory University, Duke Integrative Medicine, and Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Together Dr. Jessica and I discuss pelvic pain conditions, including endometriosis, and her journey with long COVID. She highlights the signs that indicate pelvic pain is more serious than period pain and shares what screening steps to take next to achieve optimal women's health from the earliest stage. She shares resources for supporting women's health and increasing endometriosis education from school age, defines the relationship of endometriosis, hysterectomies, and fertility, and underscores the importance of starting with the nervous system in healing pelvic pain. She also shares her experience with long COVID as a practitioner and details how her own journey has changed her approach to helping patients heal.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Jessica Drummond - https://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/

Endo What? - https://endowhat.com/

Below the Belt Film - https://www.belowthebelt.film/

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Nutrition Blog: Clinical Studies Investigate the Role of Micronutrients to Support Menstrual Comfort - https://www.casi.org/clinical-studies-micronutrients-support-menstrual-comfort

Science Update: Review Explores Role of Micronutrients, Antioxidative Status, and Endometrial Health - https://www.casi.org/role-micronutrients-antioxidative-status-endometrial-health

Science Update: Recent Review Explores Relationship Between Pain Perception and the Gut Microbiome - https://www.casi.org/node/1567

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:16 How common is pelvic pain and what does it encompass?

7:14 Jessica's background and the career milestones that led her to work with women's pelvic health.

10:15 Signs that pelvic pain is more serious than period pain and what screening steps to take next.

16:00 Resources for supporting women's health and increasing endometriosis education from school age.

20:55 The 'terrible triplets' of common syndromes that can be addressed by a functional nutrition practitioner can assess for.

22:48 Diagnosing endometriosis at every age of a woman's life, and the relationship of endometriosis, hysterectomies, and fertility.

28:35 The importance of starting with the nervous system in healing pelvic pain.

32:52 Symptoms and causes of endometriosis, genetic SNPs, and optimizing valve functions.

35:24 Endometriosis surgery requirements, preparations, effectiveness, and recovery.

39:55 Nervous system regulation through effective supplements and physical practices.

44:19 Digestive support and supplements to assist endometriosis healing.

46:05 Jessica's experience and lessons learned from long COVID as a practitioner.

54:36 Lifestyle and supplement tools that proved helpful to Jessica through long COVID.

1:06:45 Demographics of long COVID risks and sufferers.

1:07:45 Jessica's supplement list, favorite health practices, and the approach to patients that she has changed her mind about over the years.

Dr. Elisa Song is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained holistic pediatrician. She founded Whole Family Wellness (formerly Whole Child Wellness), an integrative pediatric practice in Belmont, CA – one of the first and most highly regarded holistic pediatric practices in the country. She also created Healthy Kids Happy Kids – dedicated to empowering parents to take charge of their kids' health by integrating conventional and functional pediatrics with an evidence-based approach. Dr. Song is a holistic pediatrician, integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, holistic nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils. She is also a lecturer for the Center for Education and Development in Clinical Homeopathy (CEDH), Academy for Pain Research, Institute for Functional Medicine, and Holistic Pediatric Association.

Together Dr. Elisa and I examine the importance of supporting children's gut microbiome from their very first days to support a long life of health and wellness. She covers the full spectrum of holistic pediatric care, from stress-reducing prenatal care and first solid foods to effective and appropriate supplements and probiotics in the teen years. She offers a practical approach for practitioners to effectively support their patients and their children's gut. Elisa also highlights the dangers of inappropriate levels of antibiotic use and shares a host of supplement recommendations that parents can consider when finding the right balance of functional and traditional medicine for their children.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Elisa Song - https://healthykidshappykids.com/

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Research Blog: Staying Up-to-Date on Probiotics for Pediatric Health - https://www.casi.org/node/1295

Research Blog: Functional roles of Zinc - https://www.casi.org/node/1193

Research Blog: Benefits of Fiber Intake in Children - https://www.casi.org/node/1631

Research Blog: Potential Benefits for Bovine Colostrum in Pediatric Health - https://www.casi.org/node/1564

Research Blog: Probiotics May Support Pediatric Gastrointestinal Health and Colic in Infants - https://www.casi.org/node/1454

Nutrition Blog: Supporting the Pediatric Allergic Response with Quercetin - https://www.casi.org/node/1630

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:26 Dr. Elisa's steps to incorporate holistic and functional medicine into her pediatric practice.

5:05 Known areas of impact in children's gut microbiome including the gut-brain connection, the effects of antibiotic use, and the impact on every system in a child's body.

9:09 The critical importance of a healthy gut microbiome in the first 1,000 days of a developing immune system.

14:31 Timelines for introducing solid foods and the dangers of not properly managing stress while supporting a healthy gut microbiome.

21:08 Tactics for practitioners to effectively support patients through gut-friendly stress management.

26:02 Important facts about the impact of glyphosate and antibiotics on the gut microbiome.

38:14 Tactics for supporting gut health during times when antibiotics are necessary.

42:58 Supplement dosing recommendations for zinc, omega-3, glutamine, and quercetin.

53:26 Elisa's recommendations for probiotics and daily fiber requirements from infancy through childhood and what she has changed her mind about through her years of practice.

1:01:25 Tactics for supporting a healthy gut microbiome through fermented foods in the diet and flavor learning.

1:07:30 Elimination diet tips and tricks and timelines for success.

1:12:40 Antimicrobial recommendations for children.

1:15:20 Elisa's personal favorite supplements and top health practices that keep her well.

Dr. Ari Calhoun is a perinatal and pediatric naturopathic doctor and mother of two. She is the owner and director of Wholesome Brain Medicine, focusing on optimizing neurodevelopment and emotional regulation from the womb onward. As an adjunct faculty of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics, she is a passionate speaker and advocate on the importance of a biomedical approach toward neurodevelopmental disorders. She is licensed by the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine, holds a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in San Diego, California, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Minor in Clinical Nutrition Sciences from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.

Together Dr. Ari and I dive into the many ways that practitioners can take a proactive stance on prenatal and neurodevelopmental care to support the high-risk profiles of their patients. She shares tactics for mitigating risk and supporting proactive prenatal and neurodevelopmental care through nutrients. She highlights research behind anti-brain antibodies in pregnant moms, details folate receptor antibodies, offers lab recommendations, and explores the need for dairy in most diets. Ari also covers the risks associated with maternal infections, the supplements and lab tests that she recommends for her patients, and the danger of a zinc-copper imbalance. Ari has a wealth of information on these lesser-known topics, and our conversation is filled with a variety of clinical pearls that practitioners can use to help support parents as they navigate prenatal and postpartum care as well as for children with autism.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Ari Calhoun

Wholesome Brain Medicine

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Nutrition Blog: Choline – A Critical Nutrient During Pregnancy - https://www.casi.org/node/1080

Research Blog: Do Higher Prenatal Choline Levels Mitigate Fetal Impact of Respiratory Infections - https://www.casi.org/node/1274

Research Blog: Autism and Cerebral Folate Deficiency - https://www.casi.org/bid/166694/Autism-and-Cerebral-Folate-Deficiency

Research Blog: Functional roles of Zinc - https://www.casi.org/node/1193

Science Update: Recent Study Explores Impact of Folate Supplementation During Pregnancy on Newborn's DNA Methylation and Neural Outcomes - https://www.casi.org/node/1596

Science Update: New Study Investigates the Effect of Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy on Infant Neurodevelopment - https://www.casi.org/node/1312

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:05 Ari recalls the experiences that fueled her passion for brain health, fertility, and working with children.

04:45 Holistically optimizing neurodevelopment starts with a focused approach to maternal prenatal health.

08:04 The impact of maternal immune activation and inflammation on neurodevelopment.

13:02 Common maternal infections that tend to trigger immune activation, include stress and metabolic conditions.

16:41 Ari highlights safe prenatal nutrients that have been sufficiently studied and optimize prenatal care.

21:39 Details and dosing for zinc, copper, folate, Vitamin C, and other beneficial supplements.

27:00 Research regarding the safety and concerns of melatonin use in pregnancy.

28:49 Ari weighs in on glutathione controversy and Tylenol usage in pregnancy.

32:07 The phenomenon of anti-brain antibodies and their association to severe forms of autism, and key risk factors for mom and baby.

36:51 Determining the appropriate timing for anti-brain antibody testing to proactively support high-risk patient profiles.

38:48 Specialized lab testing recommendations for preconception care based on mom's immune concerns and history of miscarriage.

42:00 Addressing concerns before conception based on the patient's ideal timeline.

44:05 Ari shares the teaching and personal experiences that have shaped her compassion and desire to help parents find answers and solve the pieces of their child's puzzle.

46:18 Pro-resolving mediators can be used in high doses for infection and injury in pregnancy as well as for children with autism.

47:52 The danger of low zinc-to-copper ratios and the mechanisms behind the imbalanced levels.

54:32 Supplementing with zinc and other supplements can be the easy solution to most copper imbalance-related issues.

55:20 Ari highlights the training and experience that she has gained in these little-researched topics.

58:10 Ari shares her top three supplements, her evolving health practices around diet, sleep, and exercise, and the dairy-free idea that she has changed her mind about.

Dr. Robert Bonakdar is the Director of Pain Management at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine and a member of the Scripps Green Hospital Pain Management and Physician Wellness Committees. He also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and is the current president of the American Academy of Pain Management. After completing his family medicine residency he completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at Scripps Clinic with a focus on integrative pain management. He has additionally completed the UCLA Acupuncture Course for Physicians and a Richter Fellowship in Southeast Asia, where he studied acupuncture, Tai Chi, and mind-body practices. His clinical and research interests include integrative approaches to chronic disease management with a focus on pain management and metabolic disease.

Together Dr. Robert and I examine all things migraine. From the most common triggers and demographics of main sufferers to the importance of education as a tool to help patients combat migraines, Dr. Robert shares a host of information that practitioners can use to empower their patients. He shares a wide variety of supplements and dietary recommendations that can be used in treatment and underscores the importance of optimizing eye health, prioritizing exercise, limiting caffeine, and other pearls of proactive care for optimal migraine and pain management.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Robert Bonakdar - https://www.scripps.org/physicians/5903-robert-bonakdar

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Research Blog: Predictors of Progression to Chronic Migraine - https://www.casi.org/node/1235

Nutrition Blog: New Ways to Think About CoQ10 Supplementation - https://www.casi.org/node/1362

Nutrition Blog: Topical Uses for Magnesium - https://www.casi.org/node/1389

Research Blog: Ginger for Healthy Muscle Recovery - https://www.casi.org/ginger-for-healthy-muscle-recovery

Educational Webinar: Modernizing Migraine Care: Innovations in Migraine Management - https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-education/library/webinar/modernizing-migraine-care-innovations-in-migraine-management

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:26 Dr. Robert recalls the experiences that first piqued his interest in integrative pain management.

3:47 Key differentiators between tension headaches and migraines and the hormonal connection to women sufferers.

6:01 Drugs that are commonly used for migraines and concerns about their mechanisms of action.

9:16 Compounds that routinely affect the gut and brain in accentuating headaches and natural approaches that work for migraines.

11:50 Hormones, cycles, and life events that have the greatest impact on headaches, and genetic SNPs that are connected to headaches.

13:55 The role of central sensitization in pain management for headaches.

16:51 Supplement treatment and dosing for common micronutrient deficiencies that trigger headaches.

24:33 Dietary recommendations that are beneficial in treating migraines and Dr. Robert's approach to common food sensitivities.

30:38 Overconsumption of caffeine is a common migraine trigger; Dr. Robert offers suggestions on appropriate servings.

32:44 Ketogenic dietary considerations, timelines, and recommendations.

34:55 Compounds, supplements, and herbs that Dr. Robert regularly recommends for migraine treatment.

40:10 The correlation between eye health and migraines, and acute herbal supplement recommendation.

43:10 The power of educating patients about migraines in addition to offering remedies and treatments.

45:12 Dr. Robert's personal favorite supplements, top wellness practices, and the leaky gut link to migraines that he has changed his mind about.

Doctor Staci Whitman is a Functional Kids' Dentist in North Portland, Oregon. She is the founder of NoPo Kids Dentistry where she takes a whole-body, holistic, and functional approach with her patients. Doctor Staci attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and worked as a general dentist for 2 years before earning a certificate in pediatric dentistry from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She has always been passionate about children's sleep and airway health, focusing her research in residency on how to improve airway assessments and diagnostic tools in the pediatric population. In 2019, she founded NoPo Kids Dentistry with a mission to practice a whole-body approach to dentistry. She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2012 and is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also involved in many organized dentistry groups, including the Holistic Dental Association, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, and the American Association of Ozonotherapy.

Together Dr. Staci and I look into the importance of oral health from a holistic approach. Starting in the womb with prenatal care, through childhood, and into adult years, she has insights into every stage of optimal oral health. She shares the key dental health points and patient support that traditional pediatric dentists tend to overlook, including airway assessment tests and the local and systemic roles of the oral microbiome. Dr. Staci highlights considerations for tongue tie correction and palate expanders for adults, the dangers of and alternatives to fluoride, and her recommendations for effective oil pulling, tongue scraping, and mouth washing, all to optimize oral health alignment at every age.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Staci Whitman

NoPo Kids

Designs for Health

Nutrition Blog: Hydroxyapatite for Dental Enamel and Tooth Integrity

Nutrition Blog: The Potential Role of Oil Pulling in Oral Wellness

Nutrition Blog: The Latest on Probiotics and Periodontal Health

Research Blog: The Synergy of Vitamins D and K on Bone Health

Science Update: Recent Review Explores Potential Connection Between Oral Microbiome and The Immune System

Educational Webinar: The Oral-Somatic Connection- Impact on Systemic Inflammation

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:22 The realization that led Dr. Staci to change her course after beginning her career as a regular dentist.

06:07 The highlights of Dr. Staci's work as a functional kid's dentist.

07:47 Key dental health points and patient support that Dr. Staci offers that traditional pediatric dentists tend to overlook.

11:27 Under-mineralized teeth and microplastics findings according to the research.

16:46 Findings from Dr. Staci's airway assessment and recommendations for patients to overcome airway devolution.

23:21 Considerations for tongue tie correction and palate expanders for adults.

27:22 Insights into the local and systemic roles of the oral microbiome.

31:18 Testing that assesses the 700+ microbes in the mouth.

32:55 Dietary and hygiene recommendations for optimizing oral microbiome health.

37:06 Success stories of switching from fluoride to hydroxyapatite and systemic concerns of overexposure to fluoride.

43:15 Recommendations for effective oil pulling, tongue scraping, and mouth washing.

51:38 Dr. Staci's favorite supplements, her personal health practices including sleep hygiene and hydration, and the shift she has made toward prioritizing emotional health.

Dr. Rudrani Banik is a Board-certified Ophthalmologist, fellowship-trained Neuro-Ophthalmologist, and Functional Medicine expert. She is fully trained in ophthalmic surgery and Botox, and she has a special interest in treating headaches and migraine. Dr. Banik manages a wide spectrum of conditions affecting vision, as well as the complex connections between the eye and brain. She graduated with a B.A with Honors and M.D. from Brown University. She trained in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, followed by Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine, and Neuro-Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Banik is the founder of Envision Health NYC, a private practice based on the Upper East Side in New York City, and is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. Dr. Banik brings more than 20 years of experience and extensive knowledge of the eye and brain, combined with a holistic approach, to her own practice.

Together Dr. Rani and I explore the role that functional medicine plays in achieving optimal eye health. She offers updates on the latest research, shares vitamin recommendations, and highlights the importance of eye exams in understanding overall body health. Rani answers the questions that she hears most often from her patients, including the effectiveness of blue light-blocking glasses, eye drop recommendations, and warnings, and how to meet the daily requirements of natural plant foods in a healthy diet. She also covers the research, food, and supplement recommendations for popular antioxidants and bioflavonoids and offers key talking points for practitioners to engage their patients in optimal eye health.

I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Rani Banik

Lutemax 2020 Science Overview

Iris: Blue light filter and eye protection software

Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2)

Designs for Health

Science Update: Recent Review Explores Relationship Between Eye Health and Nutrients to Support Antioxidative Status

Science Update: Recent Review Investigates Eye Aging and Supporting Antioxidative Status

Nutrition Blog: Eye Health Effects of Vitamin E Tocotrienols

Nutrition Blog: Nutritional Support for Eye Health

Nutrition Blog: Nutrient Protection Against Photooxidation and Blue Light Exposure

Educational Webinar: Modernizing Migraine Care: Innovations in Migraine Management

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:10 Dr. Rani recounts her journey from an ophthalmologist and neuro-ophthalmologist facing migraine headaches to a patient of functional medicine.

5:56 Key changes that Rani saw in her migraine and macular degeneration patients once she implemented functional medicine in her ophthalmology practice.

9:35 Indicators of over 200 overall body health conditions can be identified in an eye exam including diabetic retinopathy for diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.

12:19 Changes in the retina can indicate warning signs for serious health concerns.

14:02 30 nutrients that are needed for optimal eye health can be broken into 3 main categories of antioxidants, nutrients that support mitochondrial function and energy production, and anti-inflammatory nutrients.

18:04 Recommendations for safe and effective eye drops to address dry eye symptoms.

19:15 Rani's vitamin recommendations for optimal eye health include optimized forms of Vitamin A and natural antioxidants from macular carotenoids.

25:10 An ophthalmologist's warning against looking directly into the sun and a reasonable alternative to setting your circadian rhythm.

27:12 Measuring carotenoid concentrations in the retina with Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD).

29:50 Natural food and supplement recommendations to maintain healthy levels of lutein and zeaxanthin.

34:00 The negative effect of screen time on eye health needs to be counterbalanced by macular carotenoids and blue light-blocking glasses.

39:30 Research, food, and supplement recommendations for popular antioxidants and bioflavonoids that support eye health.

45:12 Rani's recommendation for 5 cups of plant foods every day can easily be met with her green smoothie recipe.

46:52 Findings from age-related eye disease studies (AREDS) and key missing links to supporting eye health.

53:43 Rani's top three personal supplements, prioritized health practices, and individualized journey advice that she has changed her mind about over the years.