The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show | Functional Medicine Unlocked

The Gut-Brain-Immune Axis: What Your Gut Is Really Telling You The gut is far more than a digestive system. It is a complex ecosystem that communicates constantly with the brain and immune system, influencing everything from inflammation and immunity to mood, energy, metabolism, and overall health.

In this episode of Functional Medicine Unlocked, Dr. Miiko Rowley sits down with gastroenterologist and functional medicine expert Dr. Vivian Asamoah to unpack the gut-brain-immune axis and what happens when this communication system becomes disrupted. Together, they explore the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), SIBO and SIFO, histamine intolerance, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), parasites, environmental exposures, and the impact of medications, stress, sleep, diet, and social connection on gut health.

Dr. Asamoah also explains why similar digestive symptoms can have completely different underlying causes, why blindly treating SIBO or doing gut cleanses may miss the bigger picture, and how a personalized, root-cause approach can help clinicians connect the dots

Rather than chasing symptoms or trying to diagnose yourself online, this conversation offers a deeper look at how the pieces of your health can be connected and why understanding the whole picture matters.

To learn more about Kale Functional Medicine

visit: https://kalemd.com/

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Vivan Asamoah, MD

https://www.houstongastroinstitute.com

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, Kale Functional Medicine

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is presented for entertainment and general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or individualized clinical guidance. Please consult with your qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions or concerns about your health.

If Alzheimer's runs in your family, you've probably asked yourself: Am I next? In this episode, Dr. Miiko Rowley sits down with Laurie Robertson FNP-BC, IFMCP, Nurse Practitioner at Kale Functional Medicine and IFM Certified Practitioner currently completing her training in Dr. Dale Bredesen's ReCODE Protocol, to unpack what family history really means for your brain health, and what you can actually do about it.

They break down the difference between genetic risk and genetic destiny, why ApoE4 is a warning light rather than a diagnosis, and the often overlooked drivers of cognitive decline: insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, mold exposure, sleep apnea, and gum disease.

Lori also explains the concept of "Type 3 diabetes," why standard lab ranges often miss early warning signs, and what a proactive brain health evaluation (a "cognoscopy") looks like before symptoms ever appear.

To learn more about Kale Functional Medicine visit:

https://kalemd.com/

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Laurie Robertson FNP-BC, IFMCP

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-robertsonfnp/

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, Kale Functional Medicine

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/ Shop

Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is presented for entertainment and general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or individualized clinical guidance. Please consult with your qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions or concerns about your health.

In this episode of Functional Medicine Unlocked, Dr. Miiko Rowley sits down with Dr. Lawrence Kosinski, a Gastroenterologist and Medical Director of Jona Health, to break down what the gut microbiome actually is and why it matters for nearly every system in your body.

With over 35 years of clinical GI experience and 25,000+ colonoscopies performed, Dr. Kosinski explains how trillions of microorganisms living in your colon influence digestion, immunity, brain function, and even long term disease risk.

We cover what prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics mean, how short chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate affect your gut lining, immune system, and even your own GLP1 production, and why symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and brain fog can trace back to an imbalanced microbiome even when standard tests come back normal.

Dr. Kosinski also shares how AI powered shotgun metagenomic testing is changing the way physicians assess and treat patients, and how tools like digital twins and personalized action plans are making this science usable in everyday clinical care.

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction: what is the gut microbiome

2:02 How the microbiome forms and why we need it

5:35 Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics explained

7:58 Short chain fatty acids and the gut barrier

10:28 How gut health connects to brain fog, mood, and immunity

15:43 Why gut health is different for everyone

17:32 Why symptoms alone don't give a clear diagnosis

21:07 Real patient case: IBS vs IBD

23:32 A sneak peek at ViavAc, a new sensor based breath test

25:10 Inside advanced microbiome testing and AI analysis

30:29 Has microbiome testing outpaced the science?

32:26 Where conventional and functional medicine are aligning

36:21 Why this testing became part of Dr. Rowley's practice

38:20 The digital twin and personalized action plans

41:15 Why general AI chatbots fall short for gut health

44:45 Final thoughts: listen to your gut

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To learn more about Jona Health

visit: https://jona.health

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Lawrence Kosinski, MD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-kosinski-17308910/

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, Kale Functional Medicine

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is presented for entertainment and general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or individualized clinical guidance. Please consult with your qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions or concerns about your health.

Fatigue that won't quit. Anxiety that comes out of nowhere. Brain fog despite "normal" labs. If you've turned to Dr. Google or AI to make sense of symptoms like these, you've probably run into one gene mutation more than any other: MTHFR.

In this episode of The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show, Functional Medicine Unlocked, sits down with Danielle Mitchell, Registered Dietitian, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Founder of The Cognizant Group, to break down what MTHFR actually means for your health, and why it's only one small piece of a much bigger picture.

Danielle explains the full methylation pathway (not just MTHFR), why some people "don't methylate" even without the MTHFR mutation, and what's really behind the "overmethylation" symptoms people report after starting B vitamins.

She also covers:

- What nutrigenomics is and how it differs from diagnostic genetic testing

- Why a gene variant is not a diagnosis, and how to interpret results without panic

- The four big reasons your body needs proper methylation (energy, neurotransmitters, cardiovascular health, and detoxification)

- How genetics apply to neurodivergent care, from toddlers to adults

- What to know about APOE4 and Alzheimer's risk, and how lifestyle changes the equation

- Simple explanations of SNPs and autophagy anyone can understand

Whether you've already done genetic testing or you're just starting to explore what your results might mean, this conversation offers a grounded, whole person framework for turning genetic information into confident, personalized decisions about your health.

Learn more about Danielle Mitchell and The Cognizant Group:

Website: www.thecognizantgroup.com

Instagram/Facebook: @thecognizantgroup

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, Kale Functional Medicine

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

Fatigue that won't quit. Anxiety that comes out of nowhere. Brain fog despite "normal" labs. If you've turned to Dr. Google or AI to make sense of symptoms like these, you've probably run into one gene mutation more than any other: MTHFR. In this episode of The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show, Functional Medicine Unlocked, sits down with Danielle Mitchell, Registered Dietitian, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Founder of The Cognizant Group, to break down what MTHFR actually means for your health, and why it's only one small piece of a much bigger picture.

Danielle explains the full methylation pathway (not just MTHFR), why some people "don't methylate" even without the MTHFR mutation, and what's really behind the "overmethylation" symptoms people report after starting B vitamins.

She also covers:

- What nutrigenomics is and how it differs from diagnostic genetic testing

- Why a gene variant is not a diagnosis, and how to interpret results without panic

- The four big reasons your body needs proper methylation (energy, neurotransmitters, cardiovascular health, and detoxification)

- How genetics apply to neurodivergent care, from toddlers to adults

- What to know about APOE4 and Alzheimer's risk, and how lifestyle changes the equation

- Simple explanations of SNPs and autophagy anyone can understand

Whether you've already done genetic testing or you're just starting to explore what your results might mean, this conversation offers a grounded, whole person framework for turning genetic information into confident, personalized decisions about your health.

Learn more about Danielle Mitchell and The Cognizant Group:

Website: www.thecognizantgroup.com

Instagram/Facebook: @thecognizantgroup

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, Kale Functional Medicine

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

- - -

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

Perimenopause can begin years before menopause, yet many women are told their symptoms are "normal" or that their lab results look fine.

So what's really happening?

In this video, Dr. Miiko Rowley, Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician and Founder of Kale Functional Medicine, explains what happens in the body during perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms often begin before menopause officially starts, and why hormone changes aren't always reflected in standard lab tests.

You'll gain a clearer understanding of the hormonal shifts behind common symptoms and learn why looking at the whole clinical picture can lead to more informed decisions about your health. Whether you're experiencing irregular periods, sleep disruptions, mood changes, brain fog, hot flashes, or simply don't feel like yourself, this conversation will help you better understand what's driving these changes.

Dr. Rowley also shares how functional medicine and conventional medicine approach perimenopause differently, and why that difference matters when it comes to testing, treatment, and long-term wellness.

In this video, you'll learn:

- The difference between perimenopause and menopause.

- Why hormone levels fluctuate before they decline.

- The most common symptoms of perimenopause and what they may indicate.

- Why "normal" lab results don't always tell the whole story.

- How to better understand your body during this transition.

- When it's time to seek additional support.

At Kale Functional Medicine, we believe women deserve clear, evidence-informed education about hormone health, metabolism, and healthy aging. Subscribe for more expert conversations that empower you to understand your body with confidence and make informed decisions about your health.

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, Kale Functional Medicine

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/ Shop

Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

Are your symptoms being dismissed as “normal”? In this episode of The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked, board-certified OBGYN Dr. Monique McKnight breaks down why so many women’s health concerns are minimized; and what that means for long-term health.

From painful periods and hormone imbalances to postpartum recovery and perimenopause, this conversation uncovers the patterns that leave women unheard, untreated, and often questioning their own bodies.

You’ll learn:

- Why “this is normal” can be a dangerous assumption

- The real impact of PCOS beyond fertility

- Early signs of perimenopause most women miss

- What pregnancy complications reveal about future health risks

- Why postpartum recovery is more than a 6-week check-up

- How to advocate for yourself in a system that often overlooks women

This episode is for any woman who has ever been told to “just deal with it”; and is ready for better answers.

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Monique McKnight, MD | Founder, HerWeb.Health

Website: https://www.herweb.health

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, KaleMD

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/ Shop

Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

Why do so many high-achieving people struggle with emotional eating even when they know exactly what to do?

In this episode, Dr. Miiko Rowley speaks with Dr. Aalia Barwani, a double board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, to explore the deeper connection between emotional eating, stress, shame, and nervous system regulation.

They break down why emotional eating is often not a willpower issue but a response to chronic stress, stored emotions, and subconscious patterns. Dr. Barwani explains how shame and self-criticism can reinforce a cycle that keeps people stuck and why real change requires understanding what is happening in the brain and body instead of only following more rules.

You will learn:

- Why emotional eating is usually an internal, not external, issue

- How stress and shame reinforce the cycle of cravings and overeating

- The role of the nervous system in emotional regulation and behavior

- Why high-performing individuals are especially prone to this pattern

- How awareness can be the first step toward breaking the cycle

If you have ever felt frustrated trying to fix your eating habits with discipline alone, this conversation offers a deeper, more compassionate explanation of what is really going on and how change actually happens.

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Aalia Barwani, MD | Medical Director, Albidaya Wellness

Website: https://albidayawellness.com

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaliaalbarwanimd/

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Medical Director, KaleMD

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show.

In this episode, Dr. Miiko Rowley sits down with Dr. Tiffany Ruder, Pharm.D. a Functional Medicine Pharmacist who specializes in supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. Tiffany helps unpack the often misunderstood world of hormone replacement therapy and explains why this topic has generated both curiosity and concern over the years.

Together, they explore the history of hormone replacement therapy, including its former black box warning, why it was originally placed there, and what led to it being lifted. Dr. Ruder breaks down the science behind hormones, explains what each one does, and shares a balanced look at the potential risks and benefits.

This thoughtful conversation gives women the information they need to understand their options, ask the right questions, and make empowered decisions about their hormonal health during the perimenopausal and menopausal transition.

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Dr. Tiffany Ruder, Pharm.D. | Functional Medicine Pharmacist

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

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Functional Medicine Physician

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/

Shop Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

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Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show. ​

In this episode Dr. Miiko Rowley Show chats with Nathalie Sessions, Registered Dietitian who supports women in perimenopause and menopause using nutrition to support hormone balance and healing. Together, they explore the confusion many women face in today’s online world where social media is filled with advice that often contradicts itself.

Nathalie explains what a registered dietitian really is, what kind of education and training it takes to earn that title, and how that background allows her to create personalized nutrition plans that fit each woman’s unique needs.

This episode focuses on using food as a tool for healing, not just maintenance, and understanding how the right meal structure can help women feel stronger, more balanced, and more in control of their health.

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Nathalie Sessions, RD | Registered Dietician

https://www.nutritionsessions.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-sessions/

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Miiko Rowley, MD | Functional Medicine Physician

Website: https://kalemd.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miiko-richardson-rowley-md-abfm-ifmcp-357278a/

The Menopause Mentor: https://kalemd.com/master-your-menopause-journey/ Shop

Supplements: https://shop.kalemd.com

Shop Labs: kale.wellproz.com/patient/home

- - -

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Dr. Miiko Rowley Show: Functional Medicine Unlocked is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Miiko Rowley and her guests and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatment decisions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed on this show. ​