In Part 2 of my conversation with neuro-developmental experts Drs. Rob Melillo and Peter Scire we delve into how brain asymmetries develop and how they can create not only kids on the "spectrum" but adults with tendencies to anxiety, depression and OCD.

We discuss Interoception and the Insular Cortex and its role in controlling immune over activation, autonomic responses and highlight how all of the Vagal activation therapies common to Func Med are really using the Vagal system to access the Insular Cortex.

Stay tuned for a 3rd episode where we go deep into Immunoception and how important it is for Func Med practitioners to understand the brain balance of clients with autoimmune and neuro-endocrine-immune dysfunctions.

LINKS
Get the Disconnected Kids book on Amazon
Dr. Melillo on the web: https://www.drrobertmelillo.com/
Dr. Scire on the web: http://drscire.com/
Dr. Noseworthy on the Web.
Join our updates list. https://www.drnoseworthy.com/launch

The last few decades have seen an explosion in the rates of ADD, ADHD and Autism that has left families and individuals devastated and hopeless. Join me as I interview author, researcher and clinician Dr. Rob Melillo about the 3rd edition of his best selling book Disconnected Kids.

Through Disconnected kids, Dr. Melillo has encouraged parents around the world with a message of hope, and basic tools for self-help. And through his postgraduate courses (The Melillo Method), he is equipping clinicians to meet this neurobehavioral crisis head on.

Joining us is Dr. Peter Scire, a gifted clinician and teacher in his own right, Dr. Scire has owned and operated three Brain Balance Centers, currently practices in GA, and is a lead instructor in the Melillo Method courses.

LINKS
Get the Disconnected Kids book on Amazon:
Dr. Melillo on the web: https://www.drrobertmelillo.com/
Dr. Scire on the web: http://drscire.com/
Dr. Noseworthy on the Web.

Join our updates list.

In this episode of Func Med Nation, Dr. Steven Noseworthy, DC, interviews Dahlia, Founder and CEO of Panacea. With a BS in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Miami and extensive experience in genetic laboratories and healthcare technology, Dahlia shares her mission to make preventative genetic testing accessible to more patients and practitioners.

Dahlia discusses the major barriers preventing widespread adoption of valuable genetic testing — including lack of insurance coverage and physician hesitancy — and how Panacea is working to overcome these obstacles. The conversation explores practical ways functional medicine practitioners can integrate genetic insights into clinical care, improve preventative strategies, and navigate the evolving landscape of precision health.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the current state of genetic testing, strategies to increase testing adoption, and how personalized genomics can enhance patient outcomes in functional medicine practice.

Key Topics:

• Barriers to preventive genetic testing in clinical practice
• Building solutions in healthcare technology for precision and preventative medicine
• Practical applications of genetic testing in functional medicine
• Dahlia’s journey from laboratory science to founding Panacea

This episode offers actionable perspectives for clinicians seeking to leverage genetic data to deliver more proactive, personalized care.

Tune in for an enlightening discussion on bridging the gap between genetic science and accessible clinical care. Available now on your favorite podcast platform.

LINKS

• Panacea on the Web
• Dr. Noseworthy on the Web.

In part two of this two-part interview, Dr. Steven Noseworthy, DC, continues the conversation with Dr. Peter Scire, DC, AFMC, exploring the clinical applications of Immunoception. Peter and I discuss the clinical presentation of Immunoceptive Dysregulation and the therapeutic value of harnessing the Vagal system, Cerebellum, and Frontal Lobes to restore neuroimmune balance.

Dr. Scire provides practical insights into identifying patterns of dysregulated brain-immune communication in clinical practice, along with targeted neurological approaches to modulate immune responses. The discussion emphasizes functional neurology strategies, including vagal nerve stimulation techniques, cerebellar activation protocols, and frontal lobe integration methods drawn from the Melillo Method and neuroimmunology research. Listeners will gain actionable clinical tools for managing complex cases involving chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and related neuroimmune disorders.

Key Topics:

• Clinical presentation and identification of Immunoceptive Dysregulation
• Therapeutic applications of the Vagal system in neuroimmune regulation
• Role of the Cerebellum and Frontal Lobes in immune modulation
• Integrated functional neurology protocols for patient care

This episode bridges advanced neuroscience with practical functional medicine, offering clinicians effective strategies to address the brain-immune axis more comprehensively.

Tune in for this insightful continuation that equips practitioners with neurological tools to optimize patient outcomes in immune and inflammatory conditions.

Links:

• Dr. Scire's Linktree
• Dr. Melillo's Neurodevelopmental Courses
• Links to Immunoception papers: https://www.nature.com...
• Dr. Noseworthy on the Web.

In this compelling episode of Func Med Nation, Dr. Steven Noseworthy, DC, interviews Dr. Peter Scire, DC, AFMC, a clinician, researcher, and lecturer specializing in neuroimmunology and the Melillo Method. Together, they explore the emerging concept of Immunoception — the brain’s bidirectional monitoring and modulation of the immune system.

Dr. Scire delves into how the brain continuously senses immune activity (similar to interoception) and actively regulates immune responses to maintain physiological balance. The discussion covers the neural pathways involved, the role of the insular cortex, implications for chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and functional medicine approaches to neuroimmune optimization.

Listeners will gain actionable insights into the critical brain-immune axis, practical clinical applications for complex patients, and strategies to address neuroinflammation through targeted interventions. Whether you are a practitioner or someone navigating immune-related health challenges, this conversation highlights the brain as the essential missing link in immune health and overall wellness.

Key Topics:

• Defining Immunoception and its relationship to interoception and proprioception
• Brain-immune communication pathways and regulatory mechanisms
• Clinical relevance for functional neurology, autoimmunity, and chronic disease
• Practical applications from the Melillo Method and neuroimmunology research

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges neuroscience and immunology, offering new perspectives on holistic patient care. Available now on your favorite podcast platform.

LINKS

Peter on the Web

Check out Dr. Noseworthy on the Web.

In this episode, Steven sits down with Dennis Schoen, the visionary CEO and Founder of Researched Nutritionals, one of the most respected practitioner‑only nutraceutical companies in functional and integrative medicine.

Dennis shares the origin story behind Researched Nutritionals — how a single insight about clinical efficacy and practitioner trust sparked a company now known for its rigorously studied formulas, multi‑center clinical trials, and unwavering commitment to evidence‑based innovation.

Together, we explore:

• The research-first philosophy that sets RN apart in a crowded supplement landscape
• How Dennis built a company culture where science, transparency, and clinical outcomes drive every decision
• The surprising challenges of formulating products that actually move the needle in complex chronic illness
• What practitioners should know about immune modulation, mitochondrial support, and multi‑system resilience
• The future of nutraceuticals — and where Dennis believes the industry is heading next

This is a rare behind‑the‑scenes conversation with the founder of a company that has shaped clinical practice for thousands of providers worldwide. If you’re a clinician, researcher, or health‑focused entrepreneur, this episode will sharpen your thinking and expand your toolkit.

LINKS

Researched Nutritionals

Dennis on LinkedIn

Dr. Steven Noseworthy welcomes Dr. Peter Kan to Func Med Nation for a clinically rich discussion on one of the most stubborn issues in functional medicine — Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

SIBO is a complex, multi-system condition that frequently resists the standard “4R” gut healing protocol. It is often under-diagnosed or poorly managed, leading to frustrating recurrences. In this episode, Dr. Kan shares a more comprehensive “North to South” approach to SIBO and explains how poor brain health can be a hidden driving factor in its persistence.

Dr. Kan discusses how to properly assess the brain-gut axis, identify upstream neurological contributors, and build more effective, individualized treatment strategies that address root causes rather than just symptoms.

This conversation is essential listening for any practitioner who regularly sees patients with refractory SIBO, IBS, or chronic digestive issues that don’t respond to typical interventions.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Peter Kan is Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Chiropractic Neurology. He specializes in complex chronic conditions with a particular focus on the brain-gut axis and neurological influences on systemic health.

LINKS

Peter on the Web

Dr. Steven Noseworthy welcomes Dr. Kim Bruno from Vibrant Wellness to Func Med Nation.

While many new lab companies appear and disappear, Vibrant Wellness has emerged as a true game-changer in the functional medicine diagnostics space. In this episode, Dr. Bruno shares the story of Vibrant’s origins in Silicon Valley and how they have disrupted traditional lab testing by bringing cutting-edge microchip technology to biological sciences.

This conversation explores how Vibrant is redefining what’s possible in advanced testing — offering greater accuracy, efficiency, and depth of insight for complex chronic conditions. Dr. Bruno discusses the technology behind their platforms, key tests that are changing clinical practice, and what the future holds for precision diagnostics in functional and integrative medicine.

Whether you’re already using Vibrant or looking to better understand the evolving lab landscape, this episode delivers valuable insight into one of the most innovative companies in our field.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Kim Bruno is a clinical educator and representative for Vibrant Wellness, a pioneering laboratory that has disrupted the functional medicine diagnostics space by integrating Silicon Valley microchip technology with advanced biological testing.

LINKS
Vibrant Wellness

Dr. Steven Noseworthy welcomes Maria Emmerich, international bestselling author, nutritionist, and keto/carnivore expert, to Func Med Nation.

Maria is a prolific author with well over a dozen best-selling books, including multiple keto and carnivore cookbooks. With a background in exercise physiology and nutrition, she has built a thriving global online community and is widely respected for her practical, results-driven approach to metabolic health.

In this conversation, Maria discusses her journey, the science and application of the Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF) — which she describes as a strategic subset of the ketogenic diet — and how to use targeted ketogenic strategies for sustainable fat loss, inflammation reduction, and long-term metabolic health.

Whether you're working with patients who need aggressive fat loss, metabolic reset, or simply want to refine your own keto approach, this episode delivers practical, clinically relevant insights from one of the most experienced voices in the low-carb world.

Guest Bio:
Maria Emmerich is an international bestselling author with well over a dozen titles to her name, including several popular keto and carnivore cookbooks. She is a nutritionist with a background in exercise physiology and the founder of a thriving online keto community. She is the creator of the Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF), which she describes as a specialized subset of the ketogenic diet.

LINKS

Maria on the Web

Dr. Steven Noseworthy welcomes Dr. Julia Malkowski from Doctor’s Data to Func Med Nation for a clinically valuable discussion on managing gut infections.

Bacterial and fungal overgrowths are extremely common findings on functional stool testing. While many practitioners have their favorite herbal antimicrobials — such as berberine, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, and others — how confident are we that we’re choosing the most effective agents for each individual patient?

In this episode, Dr. Malkowski reviews Doctor’s Data Antibiogram testing, which provides sensitivity and resistance data for both pharmaceutical and natural antimicrobials. She shares how to interpret these results, how to use them to build more targeted and effective gut protocols, and important clinical considerations when addressing dysbiosis, SIBO, and fungal overgrowth.

This conversation will help practitioners move beyond “favorite herbs” to more precise, data-driven antimicrobial selection as part of a comprehensive gut healing strategy.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Julia Malkowski is a clinician and educator with Doctor’s Data Laboratory. She specializes in advanced gastrointestinal testing interpretation and helps practitioners apply functional testing data, including Antibiogram sensitivity testing, to create more effective treatment protocols for complex gut infections.

LINKS

Doctor's Data

Antibiogram (2025)