In this episode, The First Lady of Nutrition welcomes Dr. Noel Baker, a respected functional medicine practitioner and one of the foremost protégés of Dr. Theodore Baroody, author of the groundbreaking book, The Hiatal Hernia Syndrome: The Mother of All Illnesses. Together, they explore a little-understood health issue—a hiatal hernia, which is essentially a misalignment of the stomach that can trigger a ripple effect of symptoms throughout the body. Ann Louise speaks from experience, having personally worked with Dr. Baker and experienced the healing process firsthand.

A hiatal hernia is more than just a mechanical issue or a cause of common indigestion. It can be the hidden source behind a wide array of symptoms that many people—and their doctors—struggle to explain. This can include alarming symptoms that mimic heart attacks, a hijacked fight-or-flight response, disrupted vagus nerve function, trouble taking a deep breath and swallowing, plus a domino effect of stress-related imbalances throughout the body including anxiety.

Listeners will also gain insight into the importance of the “alpha state,” the role of neurofeedback in restoring calm and nervous system balance, and how holistic practices like grounding, yoga, stretching—and even an unconventional method known as the “stomach egg”—can play a powerful role in the healing process. To connect with Dr. Noel Baker and his team, visit PureFunctionalMedicine.com.

The post Hiatal Hernia: The Mother of All Illnesses – Episode 200: Dr. Noel Baker first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

The First Lady of Nutrition spotlights environmental toxins expert Lara Adler. Adler is a globally recognized Environmental Health Educator who has trained thousands of practitioners to identify and address hidden toxic exposures impacting chronic health. Together, Ann Louise and Lara explore the unexpected ways chemicals in our everyday environment are sabotaging our health—and our waistlines. From hidden toxins in cookware, food packaging, and personal care products to unexpected offenders like candles, perfumes, and even your mattress, no topic is off-limits.

You’ll learn why the kitchen is frequently a chemical hotspot in the home, how “obesogens” may be fueling weight gain without you even consuming extra calories, and what to watch for in your bedroom, bathroom, and beyond. They even dive into the potential risks of candles, incense, tattoos, and whether essential oils are truly safe. Most importantly, Lara shares practical, doable swaps to reduce your toxic load without turning your life upside down.  Visit laraadler.com to learn more.

The post How Common Household Chemicals are Disrupting Hormones, Weight & Wellbeing – Episode 199: Lara Adler first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Join integrative oncologist Dr. Michael Karlfeldt, ND as he sits down with The First Lady of Nutrition to explore what is really driving today’s exploding cancer epidemic. Dr. Karlfeldt shares how cancer behaves like a wildfire and why stopping it requires more than just one strategy. Ann Louise and Dr. Karlfeldt dive into a discussion that ranges from diagnostic tests like thermography, live blood analysis, and the Nagalase and Gallery Tests to integrative treatments like IV therapies, anti-cancer diets, herbal protocols, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Karlfeldt lays out a comprehensive approach that both supports and challenges conventional care. 

Learn how to choose the best treatment for you, bolster conventional therapies, and understand why the tumor isn’t the disease, it’s just the symptom. Most importantly, discover the common characteristics of those who thrive after a cancer diagnosis—and why letting go of the fear of death might be the surprising first step to truly living. Check out Dr. Karlfeldt’s new book A Better Way to Treat Cancer and visit The Karlfeldt Center for more resources.

The post Rethinking Cancer: The Latest Tools, Tests & Treatments – Episode 198: Dr. Michael Karlfeldt, ND first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Since 1999, Doug Kaufmann’s TV show Know the Cause has warned millions about the fungus factor most doctors overlook. Hot on the heels of Ann Louise’s viral Facebook post—where she told her followers about her personal battle with mold—the two leading edge pioneers dive straight into the latest evidence about how fungi and their poisons, mycotoxins, may be fueling everything from rising PSA scores to stubborn skin flare-ups and even those stubborn coughs. Kaufmann walks listeners through a 2022 pan-cancer study that found fungal DNA in every one of 35 tumor types, explains why corn tops the mycotoxin list, and shows how our antifungal defenses weaken with age.

Kaufmann outlines a no-nonsense plan: slash the sugars and refined carbs mold lives on, fortify with binders like psyllium plus immune staples such as vitamin D-3 and zinc, and confirm the problem with smart testing. His first choice is an IgM antibody screen—a quick blood draw that flags an active fungal fight—followed by a RealTime Labs urine panel and targeted cultures to pinpoint the load before treatment.

If aches, brain fog, or “mystery” lab numbers refuse to budge, this conversation offers a new lens—and an action plan—to clear mold from the shadows and reclaim your health. Catch the episode, grab the steps that resonate, and learn more at KnowTheCause.com.

The post The New Truth About Mold: The Silent Saboteur Behind Many Common Health Problems – Episode 197: Doug Kaufmann first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Dr. Sam Berne is a super star holistic optometrist celebrated for his innovative approaches to eye health and wellness. He is the author of Vital Vision. Join The First Lady of Nutrition for an eye-opening conversation that goes far beyond glasses and eye drops.  Together, Ann Louise and Dr. Berne explore the groundbreaking idea that vision is not just about the eyes—but a dynamic connection between the brain, body, and soul. With stories of reversing cataracts, improving macular degeneration, and dissolving floaters naturally, Dr. Berne shares why you don’t have to live out your doctor’s diagnosis.

From post-COVID vision issues to the rise in nearsightedness from screen time, this episode covers practical steps to protect and restore your eyesight—including what to do for glaucoma, night blindness, dry eyes, and more. Learn why the liver and gallbladder are critical to eye health, why early morning sunlight matters, and how simple therapies like “palming” can make a big difference. Plus, the truth about blue light, vitamin A, brain injuries, and why your glasses may be doing more harm than good. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to see life more clearly—naturally.  Learn more about Dr. Berne at https://www.drsamberne.com/.

The post Casting Your New Vision – Episode 196: Dr. Sam Berne first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

The First Lady of Nutrition sits down with Angela Ardolino, a certified holistic pet health coach and founder of Your Natural Dog. With decades of experience working with animals of all kinds, Angela shares how she helps pet parents support and even reverse chronic illness in their furry companions—without pharmaceuticals. Her secret? Strengthening the endocannabinoid system, which she calls the “master system” of the body—regulating everything from immunity to inflammation in both animals and humans.

Ann Louise and Angela dive into the incredible power of plants and medicinal mushrooms, the dangers of common pet foods, and why real, organic food is just as essential for pets as it is for us. She also reveals the five foods animals should never eat, how full-spectrum hemp (yes, including THC!) works with the body to prevent disease, and why every senior—human or animal—should be on a pure hemp extract to help protect against cognitive decline.

Plus, learn which foods interact with the 12 pathways of cancer and how Angela’s real food recipes have transformed the health of old, sick animals—giving them vibrant, happy lives again. Learn more at angelaardolino.com and check out her podcast at  yournaturaldog.com.

The post Calling All Pet Parents! What You and Your Pet Need to Thrive – Episode 195: Angela Ardolino first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

With 93% of Americans now considered metabolically unhealthy, this episode is a wake-up call. The First Lady of Nutrition welcomes Ben Azadi—biohacker and author of the newly released book, Metabolic Freedom: A 30-Day Guide to Restore Your Metabolism, Heal Hormones & Burn Fat. It also explores the top hidden contributor to metabolic dysfunction—heavy metal toxicity—and why the most powerful biohack of all may be your thoughts.

In this inspiring conversation, Ben shares how he transformed his body and mind using ketosis—and why most people are doing keto all wrong. Ann Louise and Ben dive into the real keys to metabolic freedom, including how to test for ketosis (and why one method stands above the rest), the vital role of liver support, and what “metabolic flex days” can do to reset your system.

Ben also opens up about his childhood struggles with obesity and how his health journey lifted him out of depression and into clarity and confidence. According to Ben, we get thousands of chances a day to shift our body toward balance and healing. If you’re looking to boost energy, burn fat, and truly feel good again, this podcast could be your roadmap to metabolic freedom.

Special Offer for our listeners: When you order Metabolic Freedom, you’ll get access to a free bonus course—12 exclusive lessons on metabolism, including behind-the-scenes interviews. Visit metabolicfreedombook.com to learn more.

The post Doing Keto Right: True Metabolic Freedom – Episode 194: Ben Azadi first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Join The First Lady of Nutrition as she engages in a fascinating conversation with Elwin Robinson, the visionary founder of Genetic Insights—a next-level DNA analysis company that’s lightyears ahead of the rest. If you’ve ever felt caught in a cycle of symptoms without real solutions, this eye-opening interview will shift your entire perspective on health and healing. Elwin reveals how his team of scientists and AI engineers analyzes over 200 million genetic variations, delivering 500+ in-depth reports covering everything from hormone health and food intolerances to nutrient deficiencies and lab markers in one of the most comprehensive, inexpensive DNA tests on the market today. After interviewing Elwin, Ann Louise took the test herself—and what impressed her most was its ability to pinpoint which nutrients an individual is genetically most deficient in. That is how she knew to take orthomolecular doses of lysine and glycine—and how she was introduced to time-released T3 to support her low thyroid. You’ll discover how small, targeted changes based on your unique DNA can lead to big breakthroughs in your health. Elwin shares compelling real-life success stories that show just how powerful it can be to address even the most basic nutritional gaps. This is the future of personalized wellness—don’t miss it! As a special gift to our listeners, get 25% off Elwin’s DNA testing with code FLN25 at checkout: https://geneticinsights.co/geneticinsightslimitless/gscpage.html

The post The Most Comprehensive DNA Analysis You’ll Ever Uncover – Episode 193: Elwin Robinson first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Join The First Lady of Nutrition as she sits down with Leo Tonkin, one of the nation’s leading voices on the science and benefits of salt therapy—also known as halotherapy. From its origins in the healing salt mines of Eastern Europe to its modern-day use in thousands of wellness centers across the U.S., this ancient remedy is making a powerful comeback. Ann Louise and Leo get right to the heart of the matter, exploring how dry salt therapy—more absorbent and potent than ocean air or nebulizers—can help improve respiratory health, skin conditions, and immunity. Safe for daily use (even for infants), it has become a go-to for athletes looking to boost lung function and for anyone dealing with asthma, COPD, eczema, acne, or allergies. Tune in to learn the truth about Himalayan salt lamps, what kind of salt is really therapeutic, and how you can create your own pop-up salt booth at home. As Leo explains, breathing clean air isn’t just refreshing, it could be the single most important marker of longevity and quality of life. To find a salt therapy location near you, visit www.salttherapyassociation.org/ and check out Leo’s innovations at https://salttherapyhome.com/.

The post Could Salt Be The Secret to Better Breathing? – Episode 192: Leo Tonkin first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Fibromyalgia is more than just chronic pain—it’s a complex condition that can leave sufferers feeling trapped in a cycle of exhaustion, brain fog, and sleepless nights. In this enlightening episode, The First Lady of Nutrition sits down with Dr. Michael Lenz, an integrative medical doctor specializing in fibromyalgia, to break down the science behind this often-misunderstood condition. Dr. Lenz explains why fibromyalgia is different in how the brain processes pain, often leading to hypersensitivity and “plastic pain.” He dives into how fibro is diagnosed, including the Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity Score, and reveals the lifestyle and dietary protocols that can help manage symptoms. Ann Louise and Dr. Lenz also talk about the fascinating connections between fibromyalgia, colic, restless leg syndrome, ADHD, and more. If you or a loved one struggle with fibromyalgia, this episode is a must-listen—offering real solutions and a deeper understanding of what’s really going on in the body. Learn more about Dr. Lenz at https://www.conqueringyourfibromyalgia.com/.

The post Unraveling Fibromyalgia: Diagnosing and Treating Chronic Pain – Episode 191: Dr. Michael Lenz first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.