Get to the Root of It

By Laurel BrennanHealth & Fitness

Get to the Root of It episodes

October 26Brain Fog, Cancer Scares, and the Question No One Asked: Breast Implant Illness with Wynne Sisk (Eps. 33)
Wynne Sisk did her homework. She asked her doctors. She asked the doctors in her family. She asked women who already had implants. She even cut one open and stomped on it to see whether it would leak. Then she got breast implants as a birthday present to herself.
Months later, part of her thyroid and 13 lymph nodes were gone. They were removed for a cancer that turned out not to be there. Then came the joint pain, the itching, the sleepless nights, and panic attacks, one after another. Her memory scared her most. At 40, with her grandmother’s early-onset Alzheimer’s in the back of her mind, she couldn’t remember whether her daughter had even had a birthday party. Then an elevated CA-125 sent her to the hospital for an ovarian cancer workup. The results came back normal, and nobody could explain why.
The breakthrough didn’t come from a specialist. It came from her husband, sitting next to her on the couch: “Let’s go backwards.”
In this episode, Wynne and I talk about:
Why “I did my research” wasn’t enough, and how the question you type into Google changes the answer you get
The cascade of symptoms that seemed unrelated: thyroid, gut, skin, sleep, memory, anxiety
Living through two cancer scares, and the not knowing
What it’s like to be treated as if you’re making it up
How a three-hour phone call with a stranger and a Facebook group changed everything
What to ask a surgeon before explant surgery, and what it cost her out of pocket
What healing has looked like since
What she does every day now: food, movement, and sleep
This is the timeline approach we use in functional medicine. You go back and look at what happened before the symptoms started, and you find the connections a 15-minute appointment never will.
So listen to your body’s whispers so you don’t have to hear it screaming.
Connect with Wynne:
Instagram: @greenmissionpossible
Facebook: Wynne Sisk
This episode shares one woman’s personal experience and is for education only. It is not medical advice. Breast implant illness is not a formal medical diagnosis, and research is ongoing. The FDA does require breast implant labeling to note that some patients report systemic symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, and confusion. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about implants or explant surgery.
54 min
July 06Misdiagnosed for Years: The Truth About Lyme Disease Testing, Co-Infections & Mold with Tricia Soderstrom (Eps. 32)
So many of you have asked me about Lyme disease and mold, and today I'm bringing you someone who has studied - and lived - them both.
Tricia Soderstrom spent two years chasing a diagnosis while her joint pain, fatigue, and cognitive fog got dismissed as "normal pregnancy stuff" and then "just getting older." When she finally tested positive for Lyme, her doctor gave her the real news: she'd likely had it a long time, probably had co-infections too, and this wasn't going to be quick.
In this episode, we get into:
Why standard Lyme tests miss the diagnosis roughly 70% of the time — and why a negative result doesn't mean you're in the clear
What co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia are, and why they change your treatment entirely
What happened when Tricia's kids started showing symptoms too, and how a single dose of "prophylactic" antibiotics can quietly sabotage future testing
Four and a half years on antibiotics with zero nutritional support — and what she wishes she'd known before starting that protocol
The mold connection neither of us expected: how it can make Lyme symptoms worse, and why "the inspector said it's fine" isn't always true (we've both heard that one)
Learning to live outside again without holding your breath every time you walk through the grass
If you've ever been told "your bloodwork is normal" while your body told you something else, this one's for you.
Find Tricia at aboundinginhopewithlyme.com, and follow her @aboundinginhopewithlyme on Instagram and Facebook.

You can find Laurel Brennan @rootcauseology and www.rootcauseology.com
48 min
June 22Mold, Brain Fog & Autoimmune: How to Test What's Making You Sick (Eps. 31)
Your bloodwork came back normal. Your doctor says you're fine. But the brain fog, the joint pain, the fatigue that won't lift — something is off, and no one can tell you what.
It might be in your house.
In this episode, functional medicine practitioner Laurel Brennan tells the story of her own mold exposure — what it did to her health and her family's, how long it went undetected, and the moment she finally connected the dots. She breaks down how mold drives inflammation behind autoimmune conditions, brain fog, and neurological symptoms, and why so many people live in water-damaged homes for years without knowing it.
You'll learn why standard air sampling can miss the problem, how dust-based testing like the ERMI gives you a clearer picture of what's actually in your environment, and the first steps to take if you suspect mold in your home.
Because when you don't know, you don't know. And once you do, you can't unknow it.

Takeaways
Mold can cause a wide range of symptoms, from neurological issues to joint pain.
Air samples may not be reliable; an ERMI, like The Dust Test, provides better insights.
Curiosity and instinct are important in detecting mold problems.
Water-damaged homes often harbor hidden mold that affects health.
Testing your environment can help prevent long-term health issues.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and Personal Journey
01:00Understanding Mold and Its Health Impacts
03:18Mold Inspection Experiences
06:03Symptoms and Family Health Issues
10:19Moving to a New Home and Initial Relief
12:08Emerging Symptoms and Concerns
15:46Learning About Mold Testing
19:50Deciding on Remediation or Moving
20:34Challenges in a New Apartment
22:49The Impact of Mold on Health
24:20Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

Resources
Dust Test
EnviroBiomics
Episode #9 with Brian Karr from WeInspect
30 min
June 15 Stress, Cortisol, and Heart Health in High-Performing Women (Eps. 30)
Summary
In this episode, Dr. Jen Belew shares her journey from traditional pharmacy to functional medicine, focusing on hormone health, stress management, and cardiovascular wellness for high-performing women. Discover practical insights on testing, hormone therapy, and lifestyle strategies to optimize health and prevent chronic disease.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Functional Medicine and Hormones
02:34 Personal Journey into Functional Medicine
05:24 Common Patterns in High-Performing Women
07:08 Understanding Cortisol and Its Effects
10:52 Testing for Cortisol Levels
12:46 The Connection Between Stress and Cardiovascular Health
18:16 Listening to Your Body's Signals
26:46 The Importance of Comprehensive Health Assessments
27:42 Unwinding the Past: Understanding Health Journeys
30:00 The Importance of Sleep and Gut Health
31:04 Hormones, Stress, and Brain Function
38:12 Exploring Hormone Replacement Therapy
46:08 Supplements: Tools for Wellness
50:05 Fueling the Body: Nutrition and Self-Care

Resources
Beyond the Dose - Dr. Jen Belew - https://www.beyondthedose.com

Functional Medicine Pharmacists Alliance - https://www.fmpa.org

Dutch Testing for Cortisol - https://dutchtest.com

RootCauseology -
https://rootcauseology.com/

54 min
June 08 When Something Has to Give (Eps. 29)
I'm back. And if you've ever hit your capacity and something had to give, you already understand why I was gone.
Season three of Get to the Root of It starts here, with a quick, honest explanation of where I've been, what the last year-plus taught me, and what's coming. Environmental illness, two moves, and a TED talk I almost couldn't deliver. That's the short version. We'll go deeper in a future episode.
But before we get into all of that, I'm sharing the two things that carried me through the hardest stretch of my life. Not supplements. Not protocols. Trust, and community.
This is the first of our new mini episodes, short enough for your lunch break, specific enough to actually matter. Solo episodes and guest interviews will alternate all season, designed to be helpful in a real, usable way.
So if you're new here, welcome. If you're back, thank you for waiting.
Get to the Root of It returns every Monday at 6am. Season three is just getting started.

P.S. As promised in the episode, here is the link to see the TEDx talk, "Transforming Brain Health Through Community."

11 min
October 09, 2024 The Lyme - Autoimmune Connection with Dr. Jaquel Patterson (Eps. 28)
SUMMARY
Dr. Jaquel Patterson, a naturopathic physician, discusses her journey into naturopathic medicine and her focus on Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions. She shares her personal experience with Lyme disease and the challenges of diagnosing and treating it. Dr. Patterson emphasizes the importance of prevention, early detection, and proper testing for Lyme disease and its co-infections. She also discusses the use of antibiotics, herbs, and lifestyle changes in the treatment of Lyme disease. Additionally, she highlights the significance of addressing environmental factors, such as mold, and finding a balance between enjoying nature and preventing tick bites. In this conversation, Dr. Jaquel Patterson discusses Lyme disease and its connection to autoimmune conditions. She provides recommendations for preventing tick bites, including using effective sprays and treating clothing and shoes. Dr. Patterson also emphasizes the importance of being mindful of pets as they can carry ticks into the home. She explains that Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis and discusses the challenges of determining if a person is cured. Dr. Patterson explores the relationship between Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions, including the role of molecular mimicry. She also shares information about Lyme literate doctors and alternative treatments for Lyme disease.
TAKEAWAYS
Dr. Jaquel Patterson's interest in naturopathic medicine was sparked by her mother's experience with autoimmune conditions.
Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions are the main focus areas of Dr. Patterson's practice.
Prevention, early detection, and proper testing are crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
Treatment for Lyme disease may involve antibiotics, herbs, and lifestyle changes.
Addressing environmental factors, such as mold, is important in the management of Lyme disease.
Finding a balance between enjoying nature and preventing tick bites is a challenge for individuals with Lyme disease. Preventing tick bites is crucial, and effective sprays and treating clothing and shoes can help.
Pets can carry ticks into the home, so it's important to be mindful of their presence.
Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis that considers both lab tests and clinical symptoms.
The connection between Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions is complex, with molecular mimicry playing a role.
Finding a Lyme literate doctor can be helpful in getting proper treatment.
Alternative treatments like hyperthermia, ozone therapy, and IV nutrient therapies may be beneficial for some individuals.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Background of Dr. Jaquel Patterson
02:32 The Journey into Naturopathic Medicine
05:54 The Focus on Lyme Disease and Autoimmune Conditions
10:19 Prevention, Early Detection, and Proper Testing for Lyme Disease
14:05 Treatment Approaches for Lyme Disease
17:53 Addressing Environmental Factors in Lyme Disease
20:52 Finding a Balance: Enjoying Nature and Preventing Tick Bites
30:24 Preventing Tick Bites and Protecting Pets
33:52 Lyme Disease: Clinical Diagnosis and Cure
37:08 The Connection Between Lyme Disease and Autoimmune Conditions
46:24 Finding Lyme Literate Doctors
50:31 Alternative Treatments for Lyme Disease
Find Jaquel Patterson, ND at https://www.fairfieldfamilyhealth.com/
on Instagram @naturopathic.physician
Laurel Brennan, MOTR/L, RYT Resources:
https://www.rootcauseology.com/⁠⁠ for information on Brain Health Services, Yoga, and⁠ ⁠Brain Health Retreats⁠
Instagram @rootcauseology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
TikTok @rootcauseology⁠⁠
⁠⁠Facebook @rootcauseology⁠⁠
Private⁠ ⁠Facebook Group, Brain Wellness & Dementia Prevention
Schedule a Free Consultation
59 min
July 17, 2024 Gut Health Unveiled: From IBS to IBD and Beyond with Dr. Mark Davis (Eps. 27)
Summary
Dr. Mark Davis discusses the difference between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specifically ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. He explains that IBS is a functional disease with no detectable organic changes, while IBD is an autoimmune disease with detectable changes in the tissues. Dr. Davis also explores the impact of the gut on the rest of the body, particularly the brain, through the nervous system and the blood. He highlights the role of the vagus nerve in gut-brain communication and the influence of the gut microbiome on cognitive function. Additionally, he discusses fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a treatment for C. diff colitis and its potential benefits for IBD and neurodegenerative conditions. In this conversation, Dr. Mark Davis discusses the screening process for stool donors and the importance of selecting healthy individuals. He also addresses the connection between gut health and mental health, specifically in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Davis shares various treatment approaches for anxiety and depression, including herbal medicine and therapeutic massage. The conversation also explores the potential link between IBD and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the role of diet in reducing inflammation and increasing microbial diversity in the gut. Dr. Davis concludes by discussing the potential benefits of combining helminthic therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01:30 Introduction and Background
13:06 Exploring the Gut-Brain Connection
17:17 The Potential of FMT
33:54 Gut-Brain Connection in IBD
40:09 IBD and Alzheimer's Disease
44:53 Diet and Gut Health
48:56 Combining Helminthic Therapy and FMT for MS
Dr. Mark Davis
Dr. Davis received his doctorate of naturopathic medicine with honors in research from National University of Natural Medicine, and he is a fellow of the American
Board of Naturopathic Gastroenterology. He is faculty at Sonoran University of Health Sciences (where he teaches the naturopathic gastroenterology course), and former ranked faculty at Maryland University of Integrative Health, a founder and board member of the Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and on the editorial board of the Natural Medicine Journal.
Dr. Davis is licensed in California, Maryland, Oregon, and the District of Columbia.
You can find him at https://www.markdavisnd.net/

Click any link below to connect with Laurel Brennan, MOTR/L, RYT, CHC, ReCODE 2.0
Brain Health Quiz: What is Your Risk for Cognitive Decline?
⁠⁠https://www.rootcauseology.com/⁠⁠ for information on Brain Health Services, Yoga, and⁠ ⁠Brain Health Retreats⁠
Instagram @rootcauseology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
TikTok @rootcauseology⁠⁠
⁠⁠Facebook @rootcauseology⁠⁠
YouTube RootCauseologywithLaurelBrennan
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-brennan-38931945/
Private⁠ ⁠Facebook Group, Brain Wellness & Dementia Prevention
Schedule a Free Consultation

58 min
July 03, 2024Beyond Fight or Flight: Neurofeedback's Promise with Dr. Marly Jones (Eps. 26)
Summary
Marly Jones, a doctor of naturopathy, shares her personal journey of overcoming chronic illness and focusing on brain and nervous system health. She emphasizes the importance of calming the central nervous system and getting out of the cell danger response to promote healing. Marly discusses the benefits of Neuroptimal brain training systems, which help regulate the brain and promote relaxation. She highlights the transformative power of Neuroptimal in her own life and encourages others to try it as a tool for optimizing brain health.
Takeaways
Calming the central nervous system is crucial for promoting healing and optimal health.

Neuroptimal brain training systems can help regulate the brain and promote relaxation.

Neuroptimal is a transformative tool that can be used to optimize brain health.

Getting out of the cell danger response and into the parasympathetic nervous system is essential for healing and well-being. Neuroptimal is a neurofeedback system that optimizes brain function by detecting cortical activity.

It is a simple and easy-to-use system that consists of five sensors, ear clips, and a grounding wire.

Neuroptimal helps individuals achieve stress resilience, flexibility to change, and improved mental state.

It can be used by anyone, from those with brain injuries to peak performance athletes.
Chapters
02:00 Introduction and Personal Journey
13:11 The Importance of Calming the Central Nervous System
25:00 Promoting Healing through the Parasympathetic Nervous System
27:05 Introduction to Neuroptimal
33:20 Using Neuroptimal at Home
35:41 Building Stress Resilience and Flexibility to Change
38:00 Addressing Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxins
41:34 Calming the Stress Response and Healing the Nervous System
47:04 Reducing the Need for Chemical Alterations
50:23 Getting Good at Stress and Flooding the Body with Happy Chemicals

Get in touch with Marly Jones, ND at
https://harmonyneurofeedback.com/
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
⁠https://linktr.ee/marlyjones⁠
Click any link below to connect with Laurel Brennan, MOTR/L, RYT, CHC, ReCODE 2.0
Detox Guide for Brain Health
⁠⁠https://www.rootcauseology.com/⁠⁠ for information on Brain Health Services, Yoga, and⁠ ⁠Brain Health Retreats⁠
Instagram @rootcauseology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
TikTok @rootcauseology⁠⁠
⁠⁠Facebook @rootcauseology⁠⁠
YouTube RootCauseologywithLaurelBrennan
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-brennan-38931945/
Private⁠ ⁠Facebook Group, Brain Wellness & Dementia Prevention
Schedule a Free Consultation
53 min
June 12, 2024 Beat Cognitive Decline: Dr. Heather Sandison's Best Advice! (Eps. 25)
Over 212 million Americans say their biggest fear about growing older is developing Alzheimer’s. Part of why we’re so afraid is that we believe it’s untreatable. But what if we could not only prevent cognitive decline, but actually reverse it?
In REVERSING ALZHEIMER’S: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain
Health (HarperCollins, June 11, 2024), Dr. Heather Sandison, a leading expert in dementia care, proves that reversal is possible, and is already occurring in patients at Solcere, her brain-optimization clinic, and Marama, her memory care facility, in San Diego, California.

You can learn more about her book and other offerings here: /https://www.drheathersandison.com/

SUMMARY
Dr. Sandison discusses cognitive decline, dementia stages, and importance of lifestyle changes. Modifiable risk factors like hearing loss, hypertension, and social isolation increase dementia risk. Sleep apnea contributes to cognitive decline. A complex approach addressing toxicity, nutrients, and other root causes is needed for Alzheimer's. Brain-nourishing environments are crucial.

TAKEAWAYS
- Personalized lifestyle interventions can help cognitive decline.
- Addressing modifiable risks and maintaining cognitive reserve is key.
- Sleep apnea treatment is essential to prevent further decline.
- Toxicity reduction and creating nourishing environments improve cognition.
- Sandison's book provides toolkit for better brain health.
02:00 Introduction and Background
04:43 Understanding Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's
11:34 Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia
16:42 The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Decline
26:10 The Role of Toxicity in Cognitive Decline
32:55 Creating Brain Nourishing Environments
38:55 A Comprehensive Toolkit for Improving Cognition

Click any link below to connect with Laurel Brennan, MOTR/L, RYT, CHC, ReCODE 2.0
Detox Guide for Brain Health
⁠⁠https://www.rootcauseology.com/⁠⁠ for information on Brain Health Services, Yoga, and⁠ ⁠Brain Health Retreats⁠
Instagram @rootcauseology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
TikTok @rootcauseology⁠⁠
⁠⁠Facebook @rootcauseology⁠⁠
YouTube RootCauseologywithLaurelBrennan
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-brennan-38931945/
Private⁠ ⁠Facebook Group, Brain Wellness & Dementia Prevention
Schedule a Free Consultation

48 min
May 01, 2024Navigating the Brain-Exercise Connection: The Path to Cognitive Vitality wtih Ryan Glatt (Eps 24)
Summary
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt shares his insights on the importance of collaboration between rehabilitation clinicians and the use of motivational interviewing in promoting meaningful and purposeful exercise routines for brain health. He recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of varied exercise per week, emphasizing that the total amount of exercise is more important than the type. Glatt also discusses the benefits of dual-task learning, racket sports, gamification, virtual reality, and activities that incorporate visual spatial navigation for cognitive improvement. He highlights a systematic review that found significant improvements in processing speed and executive function in older adults who engaged in exercise for 52 hours over 6 to 12 months. Glatt also mentions the Brain Health Trainer course he created in collaboration with ACE and his plans for the future.
Takeaways
Collaboration between rehabilitation clinicians is essential for delivering better care to individuals.

Motivational interviewing and understanding individual preferences are crucial for sustainable behavior change.

Meaningful and purposeful activity should be incorporated into exercise routines.

Exercise recommendations for brain health include a minimum of 150 minutes per week, a variety of exercise types, and a mix of low, moderate, and high intensity. Engaging in exercise for 52 hours over 6 to 12 months can lead to significant improvements in processing speed and executive function in older adults.

The type of exercise doesn't matter as much as the total amount of exercise.

Dual task learning, which involves engaging in activities that require simultaneous cognitive and physical load, can improve cognition and prevent falls.

Racket sports, although lacking in research, are believed to be beneficial for brain health due to their requirement of hand-eye coordination, processing speed, and visuospatial skills.

Gamification and virtual reality can enhance cognitive training by providing a goal, challenge, competition, reward, and novelty.

Activities that incorporate visual spatial navigation, such as orienteering, can improve memory and working memory.
Chapters
02:10 Introduction and Background
02:51 Ryan's Journey and Interest in Brain Health
09:22 Collaboration with Other Rehabilitation Clinicians
10:42 Motivational Interviewing and Communication Strategies
11:55 Finding Meaningful and Purposeful Activity
15:07 Exercise Recommendations for Brain Health
24:31 Exercise Goals for Brain Health
28:42 Addressing Sarcopenia and Muscle Loss
29:57 Exercise and Cognitive Improvement
32:10 Dual Task Learning
39:31 Racket Sports and Cognitive Benefits
42:52 Gamification and Brain Health
47:34 Visual Spatial Navigation and Brain Health
50:49 Brain Health Trainer Course
51:10 Motivating Couch Potatoes
52:35 Future Plans
53:13 Where to Find Ryan Glatt
Click any link below to connect with Laurel Brennan, MOTR/L, RYT, CHC, ReCODE 2.0
Detox Guide for Brain Health
⁠⁠https://www.rootcauseology.com/⁠⁠ for information on Brain Health Services, Yoga, and⁠ ⁠Brain Health Retreats⁠
Instagram @rootcauseology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠
TikTok @rootcauseology⁠⁠
⁠⁠Facebook @rootcauseology⁠⁠
YouTube RootCauseologywithLaurelBrennan
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-brennan-38931945/
Private⁠ ⁠Facebook Group, Brain Wellness & Dementia Prevention
Schedule a Free Consultation

Click any link below to connect with Ryan Glatt
Pacific Neuroscience Institute
LinkedIn
54 min

About Get to the Root of It

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Get to the Root of It is a podcast for the curious health-seekers hoping to figure out the root causes of symptoms in order to live a happier & healthier life. We look through the lens of…

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Get to the Root of It episodes

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