#307 Raul Pastrana is a degree-qualified naturopath specializing in fertility and reproductive health, with a particular focus on male fertility—an area that's often overlooked in the fertility conversation. He works closely with individuals and couples through preconception care, IVF preparation, and natural conception, creating tailored treatment plans based on semen analysis, blood pathology, and each person's unique circumstances.

Raul is the author of The Male Factor: Fertility is a Shared Responsibility, where he explores how men can actively influence fertility outcomes and provides practical strategies to improve sperm health. Drawing on his background as both a naturopath and personal trainer, Raul has a gift for translating complex health information into actionable changes that people can actually integrate into their daily lives. He is passionate about shifting the narrative around fertility from being solely a "women's issue" to recognising it as a shared responsibility that requires equal investigation and treatment for both partners.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why male factors contribute to at least 50% of infertility cases, yet women carry the burden of investigation and treatment
• How sperm health impacts not just conception, but pregnancy loss, complications, and long-term child health
• The 72-74 day sperm production cycle and why this gives men unique leverage to improve outcomes quickly
• What's actually being measured in a semen analysis—and why "normal" reference ranges are based on the 5th percentile
• DNA fragmentation: the critical test that's often overlooked and what it reveals about fertility potential
• The main factors that influence sperm health: medications (SSRIs, finasteride, ibuprofen), alcohol, antibiotics, and lesser-known culprits
• The seminal microbiome: what healthy versus dysbiotic looks like and how gut health influences reproductive health
• Real case studies of dramatic sperm improvements after addressing underlying factors
• Why proper testing and preconception care matter even when pursuing IVF

If you or someone you know is navigating fertility challenges—or simply wants to optimize reproductive health—this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights that could change outcomes.

Pre-order The Male Factor: https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/bookstore

Rauls website https://www.rhreproductivehealth.com/our-team , Rauls instagram https://www.instagram.com/raulpastrana_hormonalhealth/?hl=en

WORK WITH ME: Book a 1:1

• Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an-appointment/
• Shop BetterMe Tea: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/
• Website: https://lyndagriparic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynda_griparic_naturopath/

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

#306 Guy and I sit down (while the kids are upstairs!) on his podcast "Let It In with Guy Lawrence" to reflect on our 2025—the messy, the profound, and everything in between.

We talk about:

• How we navigate showing up for clients when we're facing our own challenges—Guy facilitating consciousness retreats during intense spiritual experiences, me supporting gut health clients while dealing with rosacea
• The reality of being practitioners who are also deeply human
• What it actually looks like to integrate spiritual experiences while parenting two young kids
• How we support each other through the unfolding (and when we can't fully relate)
• The balance between doing all the things and actually letting go
• What we're welcoming into 2026

A real conversation about the paradox of holding space for others while navigating our own transformations. No polish, just honest.

WORK WITH ME: Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an-appointment/ Shop BetterMe Tea: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ Website: https://lyndagriparic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynda_griparic_naturopath/

Find Guy

Let it in podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/let-it-in-with-guy-lawrence/id1350278772

Liveinflow retreats https://www.liveinflow.co/

#305 Stuck on a restrictive diet and scared to eat more foods? This conversation will change everything. Erin Harner and I discuss how to rebuild microbiome resilience, overcome food fear, and safely transition from elimination diets to diverse, gut-friendly eating.

In this episode, you'll discover: - Why restrictive diets can weaken your microbiome (and how to reverse it) - The truth about fiber diversity for sensitive guts - Practical strategies to overcome food fear and intolerances - How polyphenols support gut healing without triggering symptoms - The Gut Balance Method for transitioning to food diversity

FEATURED GUEST: Erin Harner

Erin Harner is an integrative registered dietician, functional nutritionist, and health coach with over 15 years of experience and a background in biomedical engineering. She specializes in using food as medicine to restore microbiome balance and help clients transition from restrictive eating patterns to diverse, gut-friendly nutrition.

Erin's website: https://www.erinharner.com/ Erin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinharnercoaching

WORK WITH ME: Book a 1:1 Consultation: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/book-an-appointment/ Shop BetterMe Tea: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/shop/ Website: https://lyndagriparic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynda_griparic_naturopath/

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

#304 Join us for an enlightening conversation on the Love and Guts Podcast with Dr. Sharon Erdrich as we delve into the intricate link between fibromyalgia and gut health. Dr. Sharon, a nurse, naturopath, herbalist, and nutritionist, discusses her extensive research involving the digestive functions and microbiome of women living with fibromyalgia. Discover why diet, oral health, and gut microbiome alterations are pivotal in understanding and managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Learn practical insights for health practitioners on integrating digestive investigations into fibromyalgia workups and the potential of dietary and lifestyle changes in alleviating chronic pain. Whether you're a practitioner or someone eager to explore health connections, this episode is packed with valuable content you don't want to miss!

Host:

Lynda Griparic: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lynda_gripa...

Guest:

Dr. Sharon Erdrich: https://www.instagram.com/lynda_gripa...

#303 Acne isn't supposed to exist — at least, not in humans. So why is it so common today? In this episode, I sit down with dermatology expert Dr. Julie Greenberg to uncover the real reason behind acne and the surprising gut–skin connection most people have never heard about. We dive into how your gut microbiome, diet, and even bacteria like H. pylori can impact your skin — and what you can do to finally restore balance from the inside out. Let's get into it

Today I'm joined once again by Dr. Julie Greenberg, ND, a naturopathic doctor who has dedicated her career to researching and educating on the natural treatment of chronic skin disease. She's deeply passionate about the role of evidence-based, natural therapies in skin health, and she believes many of the chronic conditions we face today can be improved—or even healed—through a root-cause approach.

Julie's journey into naturopathic medicine began with her own health challenges. After being diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism while thriving in a successful career in finance, she discovered firsthand the limitations of conventional care. That curiosity led her to question, research, and ultimately retrain—earning her doctorate from Bastyr University, one of the world's leading naturopathic medical schools.

She's also an expertly trained herbalist, has studied with dermatology experts at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington Medical School, and has published peer-reviewed work on dermatology in LearnSkin.com. Today, through her clinic, the Center for Integrative & Naturopathic Dermatology, Julie brings together functional medicine, herbalism, and dermatology to provide innovative, science-based treatments for chronic skin conditions.

Guest : https://rootcausedermatology.com/about/

Host: https://www.lyndagriparic.com/

#302 Welcome back to Love and Guts! In this episode, Dan Sipple returns for a deep dive into the intertwined worlds of gut health and hormonal balance. Dan, a naturopath, nutritionist, and herbalist, brings over his expertise to discuss the impact of hormonal changes during perimenopause and andropause on gut motility, permeability, and microbial diversity. This conversation highlights the importance of cortisol, microbial composition, neurotransmitter modulation, and lifestyle interventions like diet and strength training. Dan also touches on innovative therapies such as bio-identical hormones, peptides, and the essential role of bile acids. Don't miss this extensive and insightful discussion that's packed with valuable tips for managing midlife hormonal shifts and gut health.

Connect:

Guest: https://thefunctionalnaturopath.com/about

Host: lynda_griparic_naturopath

#301 Dr Brad Leech is a PhD Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist, renowned for his expertise in addressing chronic autoimmune conditions and complex gastrointestinal disorders. He provides complete and personalised care to his patients using functional nutrition, integrative medicine and holistic wellness.

After entering the profession in 2008, Brad has contributed significantly to academia, shaping curricula at universities and delving into research areas such as intestinal permeability, autoimmune disease management, and the therapeutic potential of food-based probiotics. Brad is currently an Adjunct Fellow at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, where he continues to advance natural health sciences. In addition to patient care, Brad is passionate about empowering practitioners with the knowledge to enhance their clinical practice. Over the years, he has mentored thousands of practitioners, providing them with the tools to navigate the complexities of gut health and autoimmunity. He offers two programs, Brad's Brainiacs: Microbiome Mentoring and Brad's Brainiacs: Autoimmune Mentoring.

In this episode, we cover:

🌾 Why has grain avoidance become so popular—and what myths need busting? 🌾 Is gluten always a trigger for intestinal permeability? 🌾 How does the type and processing of grains change their impact on health? 🌾 What does the science say about long-term grain-free diets and the microbiome? 🌾 How to safely and slowly reintroduce grains (yes, there's a method!) 🌾 And why emotional healing matters just as much as dietary shifts.

If you or your clients have ever feared grains—or you're unsure where they fit in a gut-healing diet—this one's for you.

#300 Today's guest is Dr. Andrea McBeth, a trailblazer in the world of microbiome therapeutics and the founder and CEO of Thaena — a company pioneering human-derived postbiotic solutions to support gut and whole-body health.

Andrea holds a Bachelor's in Biochemistry with a focus on molecular biology from the University of San Diego, and earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine. Her early clinical work focused on functional GI disorders and autoimmunity, and she went on to launch one of the first stool banks for fecal microbiota transplantation to treat Clostridioides difficile infections.

She's served as President of GastroANP and as adjunct faculty at NUNM, where she developed and taught graduate courses on the microbiome's role in nutrition. Passionate about bridging science and real-world healing, Andrea invented ThaenaBiotic, the first human-derived postbiotic supplement — and now leads the charge at Thaena to bring safe, scalable microbiome-based treatments to the world.

In this episode, we explore:

• What regenerative health means in the context of human biology

• Why the microbiome is central to regeneration — and what a truly resilient gut ecosystem looks like

• How the microbiome supports repair and renewal throughout the body — from gut lining to immunity and even mood

• Which microbial species and metabolites stand out for their regenerative potential

• Daily habits and exposures that best nourish the microbiome and enhance its regenerative power

• Common lifestyle and environmental disruptors that undermine microbial diversity and function

• Whether the traditional health model focuses too heavily on eradicating pathogens (e.g., antibiotics, cleanses) instead of cultivating regeneration

• How Thaena is flipping the script through their unique product philosophy

You'll also hear from Dr. McBeth about the innovative postbiotics she's developed — including how Thaena sources and processes human-derived microbiome metabolites, what makes them safe, and how they differ from prebiotics, probiotics, and even FMT "crapsules."

And so much more.

#299 Dr. Eric Osansky is a functional medicine practitioner with over 15 years of experience in chiropractic care, nutrition, and natural approaches to thyroid health. After overcoming Graves' disease and achieving remission in 2009, he committed his career to helping others heal from thyroid and autoimmune conditions through holistic, evidence-based strategies.

He is the author of Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease, Hashimoto's Triggers, and The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet. As host of the Save My Thyroid podcast, Dr. Osansky shares practical tools and expert insights to guide listeners on their healing journey.

Dr. Osansky holds a Master's degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine and is board-certified as a Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). He is also trained in herbal therapy and stays current in the field through ongoing education, conferences, and advanced coursework.

In this episode, we cover:

• What inspired Dr. Eric's focus on thyroid health? Were there personal or professional turning points?

• How does gut-thyroid communication present in clinical practice? What early signs suggest thyroid issues originate from the gut?

• How do intestinal permeability and dysbiosis affect autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's? Are there common microbial triggers?

• SIBO and hypothyroidism often co-occur. Does one drive the other? How does Dr. Eric prioritise treatment?

• What functional tests does he use to evaluate the gut-thyroid connection?

• How do nutrient deficiencies caused by poor gut absorption (selenium, zinc, iron) impact thyroid hormone production and conversion?

• What interventions have been most effective in improving thyroid patient outcomes, including Dr. Eric's own experience?

...and much more.

I'm beyond excited to have Splash Blanket as our Love & Guts sponsor! If you've followed me for a while, you'll know I use mine for everything — intimacy, tummy time, toilet training... the list goes on.

Sick of spills, stains, and wet patches? Splash Blanket is your soft, stylish, waterproof solution. Originally made for intimacy, it's now a go-to for:

• Birthing & postpartum

• Free bleeding & incontinence

• Nappy-free time & toilet training

• Protecting mattresses at home or away

Why settle for a towel when you can have a plush, snuggle-worthy, mess-proof blanket?

Use code GUT15 for 15% off at splashblanket.com — and say goodbye to mess stress for good!

298 Dr Jason Hawrelak is a research scientist, educator, naturopath and Western herbalist with more than 18 years of clinical experience. Jason practices at Goulds Natural Medicine, a 136-year-old natural medicine apothecary and clinic located in central Hobart. He did his Honours and PhD degrees examining the causes of dysbiosis and the capacity of probiotics, prebiotics and herbal medicines to modify the gut microbiome and has written extensively in the medical literature on these topics – including 16 textbook chapters.

He is on the Medical Nutrition Council of the American Society for Nutrition and was recently awarded a Fellowship from the American College of Nutrition for his significant contributions to the teaching and practice of nutrition in Australia and North America. Jason is also a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia. He is Chief Research Officer at ProbioticAdvisor.com, which offers a searchable database that enables easy, evidence-based prescribing of probiotic products and online resources for clinicians, and health-conscious members of the public, to learn more about the human microbiome and how they can positively influence these ecosystems.

• What the faecal microbiome is made up of
• What faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is
• The history of FMT. Its use dates back to the 4th century in China and the 1950s
• Why it shows promise in inflammatory bowel disease
• Its impact on Parkinson's' disease and Alzheimer's
• The protocol/experience for patients and donors
• Jason's clinical experience with FMT and diet post-FMT
• The Healthy Gut Practitioner course (Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Approaches for GI Disorders Course). A course I am extremely excited to begin. See show notes for a special offer for the Love & Guts practitioner audience

• If you enrol in The Healthy Gut Practitioner course (Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Approaches for GI Disorders Course) using the following link https://tinyurl.com/yfy6kykp you will receive a free 1-year annual subscription to the Probiotic Advisor database and free access to one of Jason's other course Depression, Anxiety and the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota. Limited time offer only as there are only a few spaces available.

• To access the free course, please email Helene ([email protected]) after you enrol in The Healthy Gut Practitioner course (Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Approaches for GI Disorders Course). Helene will provide access to the Depression course and probiotics database as a bonus.

• FMT Shop in the Netherlands discussed in the podcast