Your pancreas is both a digestive enzyme factory and a blood sugar control center.

In episode 7 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy break down the pancreas, insulin, blood sugar, digestive enzymes, insulin resistance, prediabetes, reactive hypoglycemia, GLP-1s, fasting insulin, strength training, food order, sleep, and metabolic health.

One in three Americans has prediabetes, and most do not know it. The scary part is that insulin resistance can build for years before fasting glucose or A1C clearly shows the problem.

This episode explains the pancreas as two factories in one building. One side produces enzymes that help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The other side regulates blood sugar like a thermostat. When cells stop listening to insulin, the pancreas has to overproduce it. Over time, that compensation can lead to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, gallstone risk, fatigue, cravings, and broader metabolic dysfunction.

Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy also discuss one simple test many people are not getting: fasting insulin. It is inexpensive, often overlooked, and may reveal early signs of hyperinsulinemia before blood sugar becomes obviously abnormal.

In this episode, we cover:

The pancreas as two factories in one organ
Digestive enzymes: protease, lipase, and amylase
Insulin and the blood sugar thermostat
Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes risk
Fasting glucose, A1C, and fasting insulin
Why “normal” insulin may not be optimal
Reactive hypoglycemia and the sugar rollercoaster
Why food order matters
Eating vegetables and protein before carbohydrates
Post-meal walks and glucose control
Sleep quality and insulin sensitivity
Processed carbs and added sugars
Strength training and glucose uptake
Muscle as a metabolic organ
Protein intake and preserving lean mass
Continuous glucose monitors
Berberine, chromium, cinnamon, and curcumin
Time-restricted eating
GLP-1s, weight loss, and muscle loss risk
Red flags that may point to pancreatic or metabolic issues

Key takeaway:
Blood sugar control is not just about eating fewer carbs. It is about improving insulin sensitivity, building muscle, sleeping well, moving after meals, eating protein, reducing processed foods, and catching metabolic dysfunction early.

The pancreas is the thermostat.
Muscle is the glucose sink.
And the earlier you listen to the signals, the better chance you have of preventing long-term metabolic damage.

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Your liver is not just a detox organ, and your gallbladder is not just an organ you remove when it causes pain.

In episode 6 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy break down the liver, gallbladder, bile flow, detox pathways, fatty liver, gallstones, fat digestion, Tylenol, alcohol, sugar, insulin resistance, and why these organs are central to metabolism, digestion, hormone balance, and long-term health.

The liver performs over 500 metabolic functions and filters roughly 1.5 liters of blood per minute. But liver and gallbladder dysfunction can build quietly for years, sometimes without obvious symptoms or early lab findings.

This episode explains the liver and gallbladder as the body’s “water treatment plant.” Everything absorbed from the gut moves through the liver to be processed, filtered, neutralized, and eliminated. When that system becomes overwhelmed, toxins can recycle, bile can become sluggish, fats may not digest properly, and metabolic health can suffer.

Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy also explain the three phases of detoxification, why glutathione matters, how methylation fits into detox, why regular bowel movements matter for liver health, and how bile helps digest fat and carry waste out of the body.

In this episode, we cover:

The liver and gallbladder as the body’s water treatment plant
Why liver dysfunction can be silent for years
Fatty liver in children and adults
Soda, processed foods, sugar, and high fructose intake
The three phases of liver detoxification
Glutathione, methylation, and antioxidant support
Bile, stool, kidneys, and toxin elimination
Why constipation can affect detoxification
How bile helps digest fats
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
Gallstones and sluggish bile flow
Gallbladder removal and digestion changes
Tylenol, alcohol, and liver stress
Fatty liver, insulin resistance, and sedentary living
Post-meal walks and glucose control
Cruciferous vegetables and sulforaphane
Digestive bitters and GLP-1 signaling
NAC, milk thistle, taurine, and ox bile
Choline and fatty liver support
Red flags: jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, right upper quadrant pain

Key takeaway:
Detox is not a cleanse. Detox is a 24/7 biological process that depends on nutrient status, bile flow, antioxidant systems, methylation, kidney function, bowel movements, and metabolic health.

Bile is the unsung hero of digestion. It helps digest fats, absorb fat-soluble vitamins, and carry toxins out of the body. When bile flow suffers, digestion and detoxification suffer too.

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Your colon is not just a waste pipe.

In episode 5 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy explore the colon, fiber, short-chain fatty acids, butyrate, microbiome diversity, constipation, diarrhea, stool transit time, resistant starch, prebiotic foods, and the role your colon plays in immune function and whole-body health.

The colon contains roughly 38 trillion bacteria, close to the number of human cells in the body. That means your microbiome is a major part of your biology — and what you feed it matters.

This episode breaks down how the colon ferments fiber into short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, propionate, and acetate. Butyrate is the star of the episode because it acts as a major fuel source for colon cells and plays a role in immune signaling, gut barrier health, and communication with the brain.

Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy also discuss why most Americans are under-consuming fiber, why diversity matters, how the 30-plant rule can support microbiome health, how hydration impacts stool movement, why squatting mechanics matter, and how transit time can reveal whether things are moving too quickly or too slowly.

They also cover red meat, processed meat, carnivore diets, colon cancer risk, fecal microbiota transplant, stool testing, and when colon symptoms should be evaluated by a provider.

In this episode, we cover:

The colon as a fermentation chamber
The 38 trillion bacteria living in the colon
Fiber and microbiome diversity
Short-chain fatty acids: butyrate, propionate, and acetate
Why butyrate matters for colon health
Soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, resistant starch, and prebiotics
The 30-plant rule
Cooked and cooled rice, potatoes, legumes, and green bananas
Hydration and fiber intake
Constipation, diarrhea, and transit time
The beet or sesame seed transit test
Squatting mechanics and pelvic floor function
Why suppressing the urge can create problems
Psyllium husk and stool consistency
Dysbiosis and stool testing
Fecal microbiota transplant
C. diff, ulcerative colitis, and microbiome restoration
Processed meat vs. unprocessed red meat
Carnivore diets and microbiome diversity
Colon cancer screening and red flags

Key takeaway:
The colon is where fiber becomes fuel.

A healthy colon depends on rhythm, hydration, movement, plant diversity, resistant starch, prebiotic foods, and a microbiome that is fed well enough to produce beneficial compounds like butyrate.

The goal is not just better bowel movements. The goal is better microbiome function, better immune signaling, better gut barrier support, and better long-term colon health.

Follow The Functional Code:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCode
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlf
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

our small intestine does far more than digest food.

In episode 4 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy explore the small intestine, leaky gut, SIBO, absorption, intestinal permeability, the gut-brain axis, serotonin production, microbiome signaling, and how gut health can influence inflammation, mood, energy, and nutrient status.

The small intestine is the body’s main absorption site. It helps absorb amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins A, D, E, and K, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and more. But when the gut lining becomes compromised, larger particles, inflammatory compounds, and bacterial byproducts may pass through the intestinal barrier and contribute to systemic symptoms.

This episode breaks down the small intestine as a “border” system. When the fence breaks, we may see leaky gut. When the bacteria overgrow, we may see SIBO. When the gut-brain signal gets noisy, we may see symptoms that extend beyond digestion — including anxiety, depression, mood swings, fatigue, and inflammation.

Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy also discuss practical strategies to support the small intestine, including removing processed foods and excess sugar, using bone broth and collagen, adding fermented foods gradually, improving sleep, managing stress, supporting nasal breathing, using L-glutamine, digestive enzymes, zinc carnosine, and working with the right provider for testing when symptoms become more serious.

In this episode, we cover:

The small intestine as the body’s main absorption organ
Why absorption matters for nutrient status
Leaky gut and intestinal permeability
Tight junctions and the gut barrier
Glyphosate, pesticides, gluten, and gut lining irritation
Food sensitivities and “allergic to everything” patterns
SIBO and bacterial overgrowth
The gut-brain axis
The vagus nerve and gut-to-brain communication
Serotonin production in the gut
Mood, anxiety, depression, and microbiome signaling
Processed food, excess sugar, and dysbiosis
Bone broth, collagen, and gut lining support
Fermented foods and microbiome diversity
Kimchi, microplastics, and future gut research
Sleep and intestinal repair
Stress and intestinal permeability
L-glutamine for gut barrier support
Digestive enzymes for meal support
Zinc carnosine and mucosal repair
Targeted probiotics and microbiome mapping
SIBO breath testing and stool analysis
Red flags that require medical evaluation

Key takeaway:
You can eat healthy and still be malnourished if your small intestine is not absorbing properly.

The goal is not just to eat better. The goal is to absorb better, protect the gut barrier, reduce inflammatory triggers, support the microbiome, and improve the gut-brain communication system.

Follow The Functional Code:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalcode
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCode
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlf
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Your stomach is one of the most powerful chemical factories in the body.

In episode 3 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy break down the stomach: how stomach acid works, why acid is essential, how food gets broken down, why H. pylori matters, how ulcers form, and what happens when the stomach lining becomes inflamed.

The doctors explain why stomach acid is not something to fear. It helps break down protein, activate pepsin, support B12, iron, calcium, and mineral absorption, kill pathogens, and signal the pancreas and gallbladder that food is coming.

They also cover what happens when the stomach gets disrupted by H. pylori, low stomach acid, chronic NSAID use, long-term acid suppression, excessive alcohol, chronic stress, gastritis, ulcers, and poor digestive timing.

This episode also explores practical tools and support strategies, including meal spacing, the migrating motor complex, intermittent fasting, herbal tea before meals, digestive bitters, stress reduction before eating, breathwork, zinc carnosine, mastic gum, DGL, fermented foods, betaine HCl, and when symptoms need medical evaluation.

In this episode, we cover:

Stomach acid and why it mattersThe stomach as a chemical factoryProtein digestion and pepsin activationB12, iron, calcium, and mineral absorptionThe pyloric valve and chyme productionH. pylori and stomach ulcersPPIs and long-term acid suppressionNSAIDs, gastritis, and stomach lining damageLow stomach acid and hypochlorhydriaWhen reflux may be misdiagnosed as an acid issueGastric ulcers vs. duodenal ulcersMeal spacing and the migrating motor complexIntermittent fasting and stomach recoveryDigestive bitters and GLP-1 signalingStress management and parasympathetic activationZinc carnosine and mucosal healingMastic gum and H. pylori researchDGL and stomach lining supportFermented foods and digestive healthBetaine HCl and low-acid theoryRed flags that require medical evaluation

Key takeaway:Your stomach acid is not the enemy. It is one of the most important tools your body uses to digest food, absorb nutrients, kill pathogens, and protect the rest of the digestive tract.

The goal is not simply to suppress acid. The goal is to understand why the stomach factory is irritated, inflamed, underproducing, overloaded, or disrupted in the first place.

Follow The Functional Code:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalcodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCodeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlfApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Why does reflux happen?

In episode 2 of our Organ Series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy break down the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter, GERD, reflux, heartburn, PPIs, antacids, hiatal hernias, and the deeper mechanics of digestion.

This episode explains the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, as the “bouncer” at the bottom of the esophagus. Food should move down into the stomach, and the LES should close behind it. But when the LES opens too often, loses tone, or becomes overwhelmed by pressure, acid can move back up into the esophagus and create burning, irritation, and discomfort.

The major reframe in this episode: GERD is not always just an acid problem. It is often a pressure problem.

Dr. Jace and Dr. Addie discuss how obesity, central belly pressure, late meals, large portions, hiatal hernias, weak vagal tone, poor breathing patterns, and poor gastric mechanics can all contribute to reflux.

They also cover practical tools that may help support reflux and digestion, including the 3-hour rule before bed, left-side sleeping, chewing more thoroughly, walking after meals, hydration timing, belly breathing, digestive bitters, apple cider vinegar, DGL, slippery elm, marshmallow root, nasal breathing, breathwork, and stress reduction.

In this episode, we cover:

The esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter
The LES as the “bouncer” of the stomach
GERD, reflux, heartburn, and acid exposure
Why PPIs were not designed as a forever fix
How the diaphragm supports the LES
Hiatal hernias and reflux mechanics
Why reflux is often a pressure problem
Central adiposity and belly pressure
How weight loss can improve reflux symptoms
Meal timing and the 3-hour rule
Left-side sleeping for nighttime reflux
Chewing, bloating, and swallowed air
Walking after meals and gastric emptying
Hydration timing around meals
Belly breathing and vagal tone
Digestive bitters and GLP-1 signaling
Apple cider vinegar and low-acid theory
DGL, slippery elm, and marshmallow root
Breathwork, nasal breathing, and stress regulation
When reflux symptoms need medical evaluation

Key takeaway:The goal is not just to reduce acid. The goal is to improve the mechanics that keep acid where it belongs.

If reflux is driven by pressure, timing, stress, weak LES tone, or poor digestion mechanics, then the solution has to go deeper than simply suppressing stomach acid.

Follow The Functional Code:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalcodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCodeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlfApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Your mouth is more than teeth, gums, and breath.

In this episode of The Functional Code, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy begin a new 12-part organ series by exploring the mouth and tongue as the first “front door” of the body.

They break down how the mouth functions as the beginning of digestion, an immune barrier, a microbiome, and a major indicator of whole-body health.

This conversation covers the connection between poor oral hygiene and systemic inflammation, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, kidney disease, bleeding gums, dental infections, bad breath, and oral dysbiosis.

The doctors also explore practical tools and trends, including tongue scraping, mouthwash, hydroxyapatite toothpaste, xylitol, oil pulling, oral probiotics, nasal breathing, mouth taping, hydration, saliva, nitrate-rich foods, and nicotine pouches.

In this episode, we cover:

The mouth as the first door of the body
The oral microbiome and bacterial balance
How poor oral hygiene may influence systemic health
Bleeding gums and pathogen entry
Bad breath and volatile sulfur compounds
Mouthwash and its potential effect on nitrate-reducing bacteria
Tongue scraping and tongue coating
What tongue color may reveal
Brushing, flossing, and longevity markers
Nasal breathing, mouth taping, and dry mouth
Saliva, hydration, and oral pH
Nitrate-rich foods and nitric oxide production
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste and enamel support
Xylitol and cavity prevention
Oil pulling and plaque reduction
Oral probiotics and future microbiome testing
Nicotine pouches, Zyns, and oral health concerns
When to see a dentist or periodontist

Key takeaway:
Your mouth is not separate from the rest of your body. It is connected to your immune system, cardiovascular system, metabolism, digestion, inflammation, and microbiome.

The goal is not just fresh breath or white teeth. The goal is a healthy oral ecosystem.

Follow The Functional Code:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalcode
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCode
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlf
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

What if aging could be reset?

In the final episode of this cellular aging series, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addie explore one of the most fascinating and disruptive areas in longevity science: Yamanaka factors, cellular reprogramming, gene therapy, and longevity escape velocity.

This conversation starts with the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Yamanaka factors — OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC — and how these biological tools may help reprogram cells back toward a younger state.

From studies reversing blindness in mice and primates to early human clinical trials, this episode breaks down how close we may be to changing the way humans age.

But this episode is not just about science. It also asks the bigger questions:

What happens if humans begin living 150, 200, or even 300 years?
What happens to retirement, careers, birth rates, wealth, family structure, and purpose?
Will longer life create more meaning — or remove the urgency that gives life meaning?
Will AI, robotics, Neuralink, and automation reshape what it means to work, contribute, and survive?
And will society become more adaptable — or more fragile?

In this episode, we cover:

-Yamanaka factors and cellular reprogramming-The future of gene therapy and aging research-Longevity escape velocity-David Sinclair, Life Biosciences, Altos Labs, Retro Biosciences, NewLimit, and Rejuvenate Bio-The 109% lifespan mouse study-Stem cells, pluripotency, and cancer risk-The economic value of slowing aging
-How longer lifespans could affect wealth and power-The future of jobs, retirement, and universal income
-AI, Neuralink, cyborgs, and automation
-Population growth, quality of life, and purpose
-Why adaptability may be the most important skill of the future

Key takeaway:The goal is not just to live longer. The goal is to be physically, mentally, and socially prepared for the future that longevity science may create.

The best investment you can make right now is still yourself: your body, your mind, your relationships, your skills, your adaptability, and your purpose.

Follow The Functional Code:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalcodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCodeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlfApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

What’s actually breaking down inside your body as you age?

In this episode of The Functional Code, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addie explore the biology of aging from the inside out — DNA damage, epigenetics, mitochondrial function, autophagy, senolytics, NAD+, stem cells, peptides, air quality, and the lifestyle factors that shape how your body repairs itself over time.

Every cell in your body experiences thousands of DNA lesions per day, and your body repairs almost all of them. But the problem may not be the damage itself — it may be the cost of constantly repairing that damage.

The doctors break down aging through powerful metaphors, including the “repair crew” analogy and the orchestra analogy, where your DNA is the sheet music and your epigenome is the conductor. As the conductor loses precision, the same genetic code can start producing different outcomes: wrinkles, arrhythmias, immune dysfunction, cognitive decline, and other signs of aging.

They also explore the future of longevity science and ask a deeper question:

If we can slow or reverse aging, should we?

This episode covers:

DNA damage and cellular repair
Epigenetics and gene expression
Why aging may be the cost of repair
UV radiation, stress, alcohol, tobacco, and processed foods
Mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular decline
Autophagy, fasting, and exercise
NAD+, sirtuins, senolytics, and peptides
Stem cells and regenerative medicine
Air quality and environmental aging
AI, culture, mental health, and the future of human health
Why exercise, sleep, and nutrition still sit at the top of the longevity pyramid

Key takeaway:
The future of anti-aging medicine may be powerful, but the highest-value tools are still the fundamentals: exercise, sleep, nutrition, clean air, stress regulation, and doing hard things consistently.

Follow The Functional Code:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

What if aging isn’t just a countdown — but a communication problem?

In this episode of The Functional Code, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy explore the code inside your body: DNA, epigenetics, cellular signaling, exosomes, stem cells, probiotics, microbiome communication, and the future of longevity medicine.

They discuss how your cells communicate, why signal naturally declines with age, how emerging therapies may influence cellular behavior, and why the basics — sleep, movement, nutrition, strength training, and cardio — still remain the foundation for long-term health.

This episode also touches on David Sinclair’s work, Yamanaka factors, gene therapy, exosome research, stem cell delivery, first-pass effect, and the difference between anti-aging hype and the direction medical research is actually moving.

Episode: 119

🧠 KEY TAKEAWAY

Your body is constantly reading, rewriting, and running biological code. The goal is not just to chase the newest therapy — it’s to build a body that can maintain better signal, better repair, and better adaptability over time.

🔗 FOLLOW THE FUNCTIONAL CODE

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🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFunctionalCode

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📣 SHARE THIS EPISODE

Send this to someone interested in longevity, genetics, anti-aging, peptides, stem cells, exosomes, or the future of health.

👉 Because most people are chasing the wrong solution — when the real question is how your body communicates, adapts, and repairs.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.