As more patients present with digestive sensitivity and increasingly restricted diets, restoring gut resilience has become a central clinical challenge. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, about emerging microbiome science and practical strategies for supporting microbial balance, dietary tolerance, and metabolic health.

The discussion explores next-generation probiotic strains, fiber diversity, IBS patterns, and real-world approaches clinicians can use to help patients rebuild microbiome resilience and expand diet diversity in practice.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, is CEO and Co-Founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, where she focuses on advancing microbiome science and metabolic health through next-generation probiotic research. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University and brings more than 25 years of experience across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and academic research.

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Email: [email protected]

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Using next-generation probiotics like live Akkermansia, Pendulum is designed to go beyond gut health to support metabolism. Visit http://PendulumLife.com/Kara20 and use code KARA20 for 20% off your first membership order.

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In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Robert Lustig about the new USDA dietary guidelines and the broader forces shaping nutrition and metabolic health. Dr. Lustig brings a characteristically direct and nuanced perspective on sugar, ultra-processed foods, and food policy—raising important questions about what drives real change. It’s a thoughtful conversation that challenges assumptions and invites deeper reflection.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSL, is Emeritus Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at UCSF and a neuroendocrinologist with expertise in obesity, metabolism, and nutrition. Known for his influential work on sugar and ultra-processed foods, Dr. Lustig focuses on improving metabolic health through food system reform, research, and advocacy. He is the author of Fat Chance, The Hacking of the American Mind, and Metabolical, and a leader with Eat REAL, Biolumen, SnapRecall, and Perfact.

Website: https://robertlustig.com/

Email: [email protected]

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Bone loss doesn’t start when fractures happen — it begins years earlier.

In this episode, we explore how bone aging accelerates during menopause and the emerging role of the gut microbiome as a driver of skeletal decline. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with research scientists from Sōlaria biō, the company behind Bōndia, about their work studying plant-derived microbes, microbial synergies, and the connections between gut health, inflammation, and bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women.

We also review findings from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial examining a microbiome-based intervention for bone health — and discuss why bone loss may need to be addressed earlier, systemically, and beyond hormones alone.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Alicia Ballok, Ph.D. is Director of Discovery at Sōlaria biō, leading research on plant-derived synbiotics for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Trained in Microbiology and Immunology at Dartmouth, with postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, her work focuses on translating host–microbe science into therapeutic innovation.

Mark Charbonneau, Ph.D. is Vice President of R&D at Sōlaria biō. He earned his Ph.D. in Computational and Systems Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, studying infant microbiome development and undernutrition. His work spans microbiome research, bioinformatics, and live biotherapeutic innovation.

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Looking for a clinically proven way to target bone loss? Bōndia by Sōlaria biō is a groundbreaking blend of plant-derived prebiotics and probiotics shown in a clinical trial to improve bone density outcomes by 85%. Try it for yourself at Sōlaria biō and use code Kara20 for 20% off your order.

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The continued release of the Epstein files has sparked difficult but necessary conversations across the medical, longevity, and wellness communities.

In this candid and deeply reflective episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Dr. Sara Szal and Dr. Brad Jacobs to explore what this moment calls forward from clinicians — ethically, professionally, and personally.

Together, they discuss:

• Medical accountability and the responsibility that comes with influence

• The ethical obligations of physicians and mandated reporters

• How the medical system has failed vulnerable adolescents — especially young women

• Power dynamics, patriarchy, and the culture of silence

• Trauma, ACE scores, and measurable impacts on long-term health

• What practitioners can do differently starting now

This is a thoughtful, clinician-focused conversation about integrity, trauma-informed care, and the role healthcare providers play in protecting and supporting patients.

If you care about the future of ethical, patient-centered medicine, this is an important listen.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Sara Szal is a best-selling author, board-certified gynecologist, and women’s health expert focused on helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause with strength and clarity. Her work integrates evidence-based medicine, advanced lab testing, and targeted lifestyle protocols to support body composition, metabolic health, sleep, mood, and cognitive vitality.

Website: https://saraszalmd.com/

Dr. Bradly Jacobs is a Stanford-trained physician and outcomes researcher specializing in men’s health, longevity, and behavior change. His work blends precision medicine, psycho-emotional development, and performance optimization to help men build vitality, resilience, and sustainable healthspan.

Website: https://drbradjacobs.com/

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What if obesity and metabolic dysfunction start in the muscle, not the fat tissue we usually measure? In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon unpack this emerging science, from intramuscular adipose tissue to protein needs, anabolic resistance, fatty liver disease, and the role of muscle in healthy aging. A compelling episode with immediate takeaways for clinical practice.

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is the physician behind Muscle-Centric Medicine®, a groundbreaking approach that reframes muscle as the key driver of metabolic health, aging, and resilience. She is the bestselling author of FOREVER STRONG and the forthcoming Forever Strong Playbook, which translates her science-backed principles into practical strategies for building lifelong strength and capacity.

Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon

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Exosomes are becoming one of the most talked-about tools in regenerative medicine, but not all exosomes are created equal. In this episode of New Frontiers, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald talks with Alisa Lask, CEO of Plated Skin, about the science behind platelet-derived exosomes and why their signaling pathways matter for repair, renewal, and changes in skin appearance.

We explore how discoveries in cardiology led to this technology, what early clinical studies are showing, and why source and preparation are critical when evaluating any exosome-based approach. A clear, grounded look at a fast-moving field for clinicians who want to understand what’s real, what’s emerging, and what deserves attention next.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Alisa Lask is the CEO of Rion Aesthetics, where she is driving innovation in regenerative aesthetics with platelet-derived exosomes and leading research in areas like hair restoration and skin appearance. She also oversees (plated)™ Skin Science, a medical-grade exosome skincare line distributed through aesthetic providers.

Alisa previously held senior roles at Galderma, Allergan, Zimmer-Biomet, and Eli Lilly, and she serves on the Board of Directors for CollPlant. She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and is also a nationally competitive show-jumping equestrian involved in dog rescue initiatives.

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(plated)™ Skin Science: http://platedskinscience.com/

Plated Skin Science translates the discovery of Dr. Atta Behfar, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Mayo Clinic’s Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program into the first shelf-stable skincare line using regenerative, platelet-derived exosomes. These aren’t generic exosomes; they’re a specific class shown in peer-reviewed trials to regenerate skin's appearance by improving the look of wrinkles, pigmentation, luminosity, and overall skin quality. It’s an elegant approach to visible signs of skin aging, recognized by Time as a Best Invention of 2024 and now used in more than 2,000 medical practices. Learn more at http://platedskinscience.com/

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Functional dentistry is emerging as a powerful missing link in systems-based care. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Staci Whitman, DMD, IFMCP, a leading voice in functional pediatric dentistry and co-founder of the upcoming Institute for Functional Dentistry. Together, they explore how the oral microbiome, airway health, saliva, hormones, nutrition, and stress physiology shape systemic inflammation, chronic disease risk, and long-term health outcomes.

You’ll learn how to recognize oral contributors to gut issues, autoimmunity, cardiometabolic disease, cognitive decline, sleep disorders, and more—plus practical tools you can use right away in a medical setting, including a simple five-question airway and breathing screener. If you’re looking to expand your longevity and whole-body health framework, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Staci Whitman is a board-certified pediatric and functional dentist and co-founder of the Institute for Functional Dentistry (IFD). She integrates the oral microbiome, airway and sleep health, nutrition, hormones, and early childhood development into modern dental care. She also founded Bloom Kids Dentistry and has an upcoming book on the oral microbiome.

Website: http://doctorstaci.com

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Beta-glucans might be one of the most overlooked levers in immune resilience, and that has major implications for longevity. Talking with my long-time friends and colleagues Drs. Bob Rountree and Chris D’Adamo reminded me just how powerful this molecule truly is. The clinical reach here is stunning, from immune aging and cancer support to vaccine response, gut–brain effects, and overall resilience.

What struck me most is how beta-glucans help the innate immune system respond more effectively over time, from overtraining and chronic infections to vaccine responsiveness. Clinicians really need this on their radar. I think you’re going to find this conversation eye-opening. ~DrKF

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS

Bob Rountree, MD, is a leading figure in integrative and functional medicine with more than 40 years of clinical experience. Medical Director of Boulder Wellcare and long-time IFM faculty, he is widely published and a respected educator in personalized medicine, botanical therapies, and immune health.

Chris D’Adamo, PhD, is a research scientist and epidemiologist focused on how nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental factors influence health. An Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he has led numerous clinical studies, published widely, and is a trusted advisor and educator in integrative and lifestyle medicine.

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BetterWay Health (Consumers) BWHLabs (Practitioners)

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In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with hormone and women’s health expert Dr. Carrie Jones to explore the powerful connection between mitochondrial health and women’s hormones. Together, they unpack how mitochondrial function influences hormone balance, metabolism, energy, mood, and resilience, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Jones shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support mitochondrial health for optimal hormonal balance, improved sleep, and emotional well-being.

Listeners will gain actionable insights into functional medicine approaches to women’s hormone health, including how mitochondrial vitality can help ease hormonal transitions and enhance longevity.

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH, MSCP is an internationally recognized expert in women’s health and hormones. Known as the “Queen of Hormones,” she’s a naturopathic physician, educator, and Chief Medical Officer at NuEthix Formulations. With over 20 years in the field, Dr. Jones has shaped hormone education through her work with major functional labs and her hit podcast, Hello Hormones.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.drcarriejones.com/

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Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Dr. Brooke Stubbs, an internal and lifestyle medicine physician who transitioned from hospital medicine to a concierge model focused on prevention and personalization. Together, they discuss how to design a practice that supports both patients and practitioners, from efficient systems and appropriate pricing to functional lab integration.

Dr. Stubbs explains how Vibrant Wellness helps streamline diagnostics and ensure consistent, high-quality care, offering real-world insights for clinicians ready to evolve their model.

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Brooke Stubbs is a double board-certified physician in Internal and Lifestyle Medicine with a master’s in nutrition from Columbia University. As founder of Rooted Femme, a concierge practice in Austin, she helps women achieve better health through lifestyle-based care. She’s a national speaker, retreat creator, and advocate for integrating science, art, and compassion into modern medicine.

Website: https://www.rootedfemme.com/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookestubbsmd/

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SPONSOR: Vibrant Wellness

http://vibrant-wellness.com/drfitzgerald

Vibrant Wellness’ innovative testing panels identify key imbalances in areas like nutrition, hormones, toxins, and the gut microbiome—so you can take targeted steps toward optimal wellness. Discover the possibilities and become a provider or connect with one near you at http://vibrant-wellness.com/drfitzgerald

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