In this episode of What Happens in Vagus, Dr. Stephanie Canestraro sits down with Farah Zipursky for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about chronic illness, healing, and the importance of taking a holistic approach to wellness. Farah shares how her health journey began while living in Australia, where a growing interest in nutrition and whole foods led her down the path of functional medicine. 

Struggling with Bell’s Palsy and later receiving a Lyme disease diagnosis, Farah was forced to look deeper into the root causes of her chronic symptoms. Her exploration into gut health, nervous system regulation, and detoxification became the foundation of her healing process. 

Together, Dr. Steph and Farah dive into the importance of lymphatic health, regular bowel movements, and the role of environmental toxins in chronic disease. They touch on the benefits and limitations of treatments like stem cell therapy and hyperthermia, and how integrating conventional and functional medicine can lead to more effective outcomes. 

This episode also highlights the often invisible struggles of chronic illness and the vital role patient empowerment plays in recovery. Farah emphasizes that healing is a slow, intentional process that requires patience, persistence, and support, and that understanding your body is one of the most powerful tools on the journey to wellness. 

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