The Elevated Health Podcast

Heart disease is the leading cause of death—but much of it is preventable.

In this episode, Amanda sits down with family physician Dr. David Bruce Clarke to discuss cardiovascular health through a modern, prevention-focused lens. With additional training through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), Dr. Clarke blends traditional primary care with deeper metabolic evaluation to identify risk earlier.

They explain why basic cholesterol numbers don’t tell the full story and how inflammation, endothelial damage, insulin resistance, and chronic stress drive plaque formation long before symptoms appear. You’ll learn why LDL and HDL are only part of the picture and how metabolic dysfunction quietly increases long-term heart risk.

The conversation explores advanced cardiovascular testing beyond a routine lipid panel, including ApoB, Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], NMR lipids, hs-CRP, fasting insulin, A1C, coronary calcium scoring, and carotid imaging.

They also discuss practical prevention strategies—nutrition changes, reducing processed carbohydrates, resistance training, sleep optimization, stress reduction, and when medications like statins or low-dose aspirin are appropriate.

The takeaway: heart disease develops over decades, but so does prevention. Earlier, broader evaluation combined with sustainable lifestyle changes can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.

Why are you eating healthy, counting calories, exercising, and still not losing weight?

In this episode, we explain the physiology behind weight loss resistance — including insulin resistance, cortisol, thyroid adaptation, perimenopause, and metabolic slowdown from chronic dieting.

You’ll learn:

• How elevated insulin blocks fat burning

• What Set Point Theory means for weight regain

• Adaptive thermogenesis and reduced metabolic rate

• Why skeletal muscle improves insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal

• How stress and poor sleep increase hunger hormones

• A practical framework using approximately 100 grams of carbohydrates and 100 grams of protein to support metabolic health

• When medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1), metformin, and pioglitazone may help improve insulin sensitivity

This episode is especially relevant for women navigating perimenopause, insulin resistance, weight gain, and hormonal changes.

If you feel stuck despite “doing everything right,” this episode will help you understand why — and what you can control to improve fat loss and metabolic flexibility.

Your metabolism is adaptive. When you change the inputs, the physiology can change.

Fatty liver disease has a new name — actually, two.

In this episode, we explain the shift from NAFLD to MASLD and MASH, what these updated terms mean, and why the change reflects a deeper understanding of metabolic dysfunction.

You’ll learn:

• Why NAFLD was renamed MASLD

Fatty liver is not just a liver condition. It is a metabolic condition.

If you have elevated liver enzymes, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or central weight gain, this episode will help you understand what is happening beneath the surface and what you can do about it.

How is ADHD treated in adults — and what actually helps?

In Part 2 of our ADHD series, Amanda Jones and Shelly Moss discuss practical strategies for managing ADHD, including medications, sleep optimization, and nervous system regulation.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between stimulant and non-stimulant medications

ADHD management is not one-size-fits-all. Effective treatment often combines medication, structure, sleep, and emotional support.

If you resonated with Part 1 and want to understand what real-world ADHD support looks like, this episode provides practical, evidence-informed guidance.

ADHD in adults is often misunderstood — especially in women.

In this episode, Amanda Jones sits down with licensed clinical social worker Shelly Moss, LCSW, to explore adult ADHD, executive dysfunction, and how symptoms often overlap with anxiety and depression.

You’ll learn:

• What ADHD looks like in adults

ADHD is not a character flaw. It is a neurobiological pattern that affects attention, organization, and emotional regulation.

If you struggle with focus, overwhelm, procrastination, or feeling chronically behind, this episode provides clarity and validation.

Part 1 lays the foundation for understanding ADHD before diving into treatment strategies in Part 2.

Feeling constantly run down, exhausted, or stuck in a cycle of stress and illness?

In this episode, we break down what true recovery requires — from immune resilience to nervous system regulation and metabolic repair.

You’ll learn:

• Why chronic stress depletes energy

Recovery is not just rest. It is a coordinated biological process involving the nervous system, immune system, hormones, and metabolism.

If you feel like you never fully bounce back from stress, sickness, or busy seasons, this episode offers a clear framework for resetting your energy.

Your gut and brain are in constant two-way communication.

In this episode, we explore the gut-brain axis and how gut health influences anxiety, depression, brain fog, focus, and stress tolerance. Inflammation, microbial imbalance, and poor detox pathways can alter neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.

You’ll learn:

• How the vagus nerve connects the gut and brain

Mental health is not isolated to the brain. It is deeply influenced by metabolism, inflammation, and digestive function.

If you struggle with anxiety, low mood, poor concentration, or brain fog, this episode explains why addressing gut health may be an essential part of the solution.

Do detox teas actually remove toxins?

In this episode, we break down the science of detoxification — how the liver, gut, kidneys, and lymphatic system work together to eliminate waste — and why most detox teas fail to deliver what they promise.

You’ll learn:

• How phase I and phase II liver detox pathways function

Detox is not a 7-day cleanse. It is a continuous biological process.

If you’ve been told you need a special tea, powder, or cleanse to “reset” your body, this episode explains what actually matters — and how to support your natural detox systems through nutrition, sleep, hydration, and metabolic health.

This foundational nutrition episode is worth revisiting.

Understanding macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) is essential for metabolism, blood sugar stability, hormone balance, and sustainable weight management.

In this episode, we break down:

• What macronutrients are and how they differ from micronutrients

Macros are not just numbers. They influence energy, cravings, body composition, and long-term health.

If you’re confused about how to build balanced meals or optimize nutrition without extreme dieting, this episode provides a clear and practical framework.

How does alcohol actually affect your metabolism?

In this episode, we break down how alcohol impacts blood sugar, liver function, hormones, sleep, and weight gain — and how to approach drinking in a way that protects your long-term health.

You’ll learn:

• How alcohol affects insulin and blood sugar control

Alcohol is not neutral in the body. It directly influences liver function, inflammation, and hormone balance.

If you enjoy social drinking but want to better understand how it impacts weight, energy, and metabolic health, this episode gives you a clear and balanced framework.