You'll often hear host Jamie Belz say that the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) program changed her life. In this follow-up roundtable episode of the Body Wisdom Podcast, Jamie welcomes back three current NTP students, Michlind Wierman, Alyson Voltz, and Katie Lyche, for an honest, encouraging, and insightful conversation about what has changed since they last joined her on the show.

When these women first appeared on the podcast, they were only a few months into their studies with the Nutritional Therapy Association's May 2025 cohort, sharing what they were learning and how the Foundations of Health were already beginning to shift their perspectives. Now, nearly a year later and just weeks away from graduation, they're back to reflect on how the NTP program has deepened their confidence, transformed their personal health, and equipped them to help others pursue true wellness.

From blood sugar regulation and nutrient-dense eating to sleep, hydration, digestion, stress, movement, and bio-individuality, this conversation is full of simple but powerful reminders that health does not have to be complicated. In fact, some of the biggest changes came from the smallest, most practical shifts.

Hear how these soon-to-be practitioners have experienced real-life transformation through foundational nutrition and lifestyle support:

• Michlind shares how eating breakfast, balancing blood sugar, prioritizing protein, and improving sleep gave her more stable energy and renewed confidence in helping others reclaim their health.

• Katie reflects on how the NTP program helped her better understand digestion, Crohn's disease, sleep struggles, nervous system regulation, and the simple habits that have made a meaningful impact in daily life.

• Alyson talks about applying nutritional therapy principles to marathon training, hydration, electrolyte balance, blood sugar stability, and her future work in radiation therapy.

Together, they discuss:

• What surprised them most as they moved through the program and began working with practice clients.

• How blood sugar regulation affects everyone, not just those with a diabetes diagnosis.

• Why sleep is one of the most underrated foundations of health and how better sleep starts first thing in the morning.

• The real-life power of simple habits like post-meal walks, grounding, balanced meals, hydration, minerals, and eating enough protein.

• How the live classroom environment, instructors, discussion forums, and student community make the NTP experience so unique.

• Why bio-individuality matters so much and how what works for one person may not work the same way for another.

• The importance of making small, sustainable changes instead of chasing all-or-nothing health goals.

This episode is packed with practical wellness takeaways, personal stories, and encouraging insight for anyone who wants to feel better but doesn't know where to start. If you've ever wondered whether small changes really matter, this conversation is your reminder that they do. Often, the most powerful shifts in health come from simple daily choices practiced with consistency and intention.

Tune in for an inspiring look at what happens when people learn to honor bio-individuality, build on the Foundations of Health, and take ownership of their wellness one step at a time.

Watch their original episode! ⁠S1E59 New Student Roundtable⁠

Digestion Episodes Mentioned: ⁠S1E80 Digestive Hell⁠ & ⁠S1E79 Optimal Digestion⁠

INTERESTED IN THE NTP PROGRAM? Click ⁠HERE⁠ to schedule a call with an Academic Advisor and learn more about becoming a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.

Please be sure to click SUBSCRIBE and give us a five-star review. Connect with us in the comments on Spotify!

As health practitioners, consumers, and advocates, our collective fight can radically change the future of health freedom. While most people don't realize how exposed we are to global regulations that threaten our access to safe, effective supplements and foods, the National Health Federation relentlessly defends YOUR right to choose health solutions.

Guest Katherine Carroll, a passionate advocate and one of the original Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (certified in 2004 by the Nutritional Therapy Association), has dedicated her life to exposing these threats and fighting for health rights. Katherine is the Chief Financial Officer for the National Health Federation (NHF) and Executive Director for its sister-organization, the Foundation for Health Research (FHR). Katherine is also Secretary/Treasurer for the NHF Board of Governors. In addition to her work for NHF and FHR, she holds a board-member position on the NHF-Canada Board of Governors.

Certified as a Natural Healer in 1995, Katherine brings her experience as an FNTP to her research, writing, and optometry practice, Medical Vision Center in Morton, Washington that she runs with Dr. Donald A. Carroll, her husband of 29 years. They are devoted to true healing with nutrition, supplementation, and education.

Her insights come from decades of experience, countless international meetings, and a deep passion for health freedom. Tune in if you want to understand the real battles over your food, supplements, and future health autonomy. The fight for your freedom starts now, and every voice matters.

Learn more about the National Health Federation: ⁠https://thenhf.com/⁠ ⁠https://thenhf.com/hfn-magazine/⁠

Related Episode: Season 1 Episode 43: Lab-Grown Meat Drugs and Bugs - The FDA Approved "Science" You Just Ate

Connect with Jamie: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jamiebelzfntp/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebelz/⁠

Follow the NTA Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ntatraining/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/nutritional-therapy-association-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠

Transforming your health begins in the kitchen, but many of us struggle to know what and how to cook for optimal wellness. Even when we are educated to know which foods we should be eating and the best preparation methods to ensure the highest level of nutrition and health benefits, the pace of the world makes it hard to find the time to meal plan and prep. This is an area where AI can change everything!

In this episode, host Jamie Belz and fellow Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), Rebecca Stewart, share how they leverage AI tools like Grok and ChatGPT in easy and practical ways to find and revise recipes to align with the teachings of the Nutritional Therapy Association and other trusted authorities on nutrition truth.

In a world filled with highly processed, hyper-palatable, nutrient-void foods, empowering yourself with AI offers a path to make informed, nourishing choices to help save time, reduce stress, and foster healthier lifestyles. Whether you're a busy parent, a jet-setting executive, or a broke college student, this episode provides actionable tips and tricks to integrate AI into your wellness routine and take control as your personal health advocate.

Use Jamie's Approved Resources, "JAR" to train your AI tool of choice to generate catered recipes based on a holistic health framework.

Copy/paste this into a ChatGPT or Grok thread to get started:

Store this in memory: JAR = Jamie's Approved Resources When I ask for anything "from my JAR," you must only use principles, ingredients, and preparation methods aligned with the following sources: - Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) - Weston A. Price Foundation - Price-Pottenger Foundation - Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell - National Health Federation (NHF) Guidelines to follow: - Prioritize nutrient-dense, whole, properly prepared foods - Avoid industrial seed oils (canola, soybean, corn, etc.) - Avoid ultra-processed ingredients and refined sugars when possible - Favor traditional preparation methods (soaking, fermenting, slow cooking, etc.) - Include high-quality animal proteins and healthy fats - Honor bio-individuality when relevant When I say "use my JAR" or "from my JAR" apply these rules automatically.

Related Episodes: Season 1 Episode 83: How to EAT REAL FOOD Season 1 Episode 81: Rapid Replays - Wellness 101Season 1 Episode 30: Generational Health

The Nutritional Therapy Association

⁠https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/⁠

The Weston A. Price Foundation

⁠https://www.westonaprice.org/?gad_campaignid=415527510#gsc.tab=0⁠

Price-Potter Ancestral Nutrition Foundation

⁠https://theancestralnutritionfoundation.org/⁠

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735⁠

National Health Federation

⁠https://thenhf.com/⁠

Perfect for anyone frustrated by balancing a hectic schedule with the desire for nutritious, delicious food. SUBSCRIBE to The Body Wisdom Podcast to discover more every week.

Subscribe to the podcasts email newsletter!

⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6yb5coNfNILx-_J4IndebymdFRAsOL6GI9g8oE6EV4IfoXQ/viewform⁠

Connect with Jamie:

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

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

Follow the NTA

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

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/nutritional-therapy-association-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠

Unlock the secret to lasting health without fad diets or confusing and conflicting food rules. What if the key to feeling better - really better - has been inside you all along?

In this first episode of Season 2, Jamie Belz, a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, reveals timeless truths about wellness taught by the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) since 1997.

Join her as she uncovers the foundational principles that can transform your health, including the powerful concept of bio-individuality, which pushes back against one-size-fits-all approaches and embraces the idea that your body's composition and therefore needs are uniquely yours. Discover why what has worked well for someone else doesn't work for you, and how to tailor diet and lifestyle to feel how good being truly healthy feels.

You'll learn actionable strategies covering the essential Foundations of Health: how to fine-tune your body with nutrient-dense foods, optimize digestion, balance blood sugar, stay properly hydrated, reduce stress, and incorporate joyful movement.

Jamie teaches about the subtle cues, often showing up as symptoms, that are your body's way of communicating what it needs. She shares three simple yet profound steps to start improving your health today - no pills, no gimmicks - just real, practical advice grounded in science and common sense. This is about positioning you as your personal health advocate, empowered by understanding the Foundations of Health and decoding the intricate language your body speaks.

If you're tired of quick fixes and ready for real "How To" conversations about wellness that honor your unique bio-individuality, then SUBSCRIBE to The Body Wisdom Podcast and come back for more each week.

Your body is speaking - are you ready to listen?

Connect with Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiebelzfntp/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebelz/

Follow the NTA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ntatraining/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/nutritional-therapy-association-inc-/posts/?feedView=all

NTA Health - Take the "Root Cause Assessment" and work with an FNTP through the NTA: https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/nta-health

NTA Practitioner Directory - Find a practitioner in your area: https://practitionerdirectory.nutritionaltherapy.com/entity/grid?EntityTypeId=e6b1de3a-72c3-4b0a-97[…]1*1w4qfp3*_gcl_au=MTA3MTA1Mjk3NS4xNzcwNjc1ODYz

Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) Program - Join the next webinar!: https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/webinars?hsCtaAttrib=191820287622

Foundations of Healing 6-week, self-paced course: https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/foundations

Additional Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 6 - Learn about Dr. Francis M Pottenger Jr.'s famous cat study that showed us the degeneration that happens when we consume processed foods and the generational impact that follows: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Y0EQZoQDe4yW9eXCPPNPR?si=526a15f78a3d4342

Episode 74 - Dehydration Nation: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6orSnLqB8s8OerV61fYnpm?si=195b7567397a4615

Episode 82 - Total Load Theory with author Patricia Lemer: https://open.spotify.com/episode/54vZadmwIpdYMgcbkTgROu?si=4644b668f3b94e46

Episode 85 - Sugar, Sugar: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WQvVuzwcZg3dA760lGGpB?si=81c91de8406d4cd0

Let's have an honest conversation about sugar. Not the dramatic "never touch it again" version. Not the fluffy "everything in moderation" script that keeps you stuck year after year. Just truth.

In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, breaks down what's really happening when you say, "I just need something sweet at night." A sweet tooth is not a personality trait. It is a neurological and metabolic pattern. And that is good news, because patterns can be retrained.

Jamie walks you through:

• The 0 to 90 minute biochemical timeline of a sugar hit

• How dopamine spikes create urgency, not satisfaction

• Why crashes feel like irritability, anxiety, fogginess, and more cravings

• How insulin resistance, poor sleep, stress, and nutrient deficiencies intensify the cycle

• How modern candy is engineered to override your nervous system

• How childhood reward wiring shapes adult cravings

• Why artificial sweeteners and "zero sugar" swaps keep the addiction loop alive

• What taste bud rehabilitation actually looks like

• The NTA-inspired "avoid, okay, better, best" framework for treats

• Practical nutrient-dense dessert ideas that nourish rather than hijack your brain

This is about empowerment to break free from the vicious "blood sugar rollercoaster." Sugar lights up the same reward pathways as addictive substances. That is neuroscience, not exaggeration. But your body is adaptable. When you lower your sweetness threshold, fruit tastes sweeter, dark chocolate becomes satisfying, and ultra-processed candy starts to feel like too much.

If you are ready to reshape your relationship with sugar instead of white-knuckling it, this episode is for you.

____________________

Additional Resources:

⁠Episode 28⁠ – Blood Sugar 101

Episode 29 - Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Regulation

Episode 62 - Quick Tips From Your Blood Sugar Bestie

Find a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP): ⁠NTA Practitioner Directory⁠

Work with a practitioner directly through the NTA. Book a consultation: NTA HEALTH

__________________

Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on22 Spotify comments!

In this special episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, steps into the lead host seat for a powerful, practical conversation with executive coach and high-performance strategist Michael Vasquez, while show host Jamie takes a supportive back seat. Michael shares his real-world journey from alcohol, smoking, and prescription-drug usage to a life built on purpose, discipline, and "thrilling vision," and explains how that transformation led him into coaching, including training through Jay Shetty Coaching (accredited by the Association for Coaching) and deeper work in ontological coaching through the Meta Performance Institute.

Together, Mike, Michael, and Jamie unpack why more information is rarely the missing piece in health, habits, and personal growth, and why implementation breaks down even when people "know what to do." You'll learn how a great coach helps reveal blind spots, disrupt limiting beliefs, and build integrity through commitments, especially "broken commitments," which become valuable data for identifying patterns and closing the gap between current reality and future goals. The conversation covers the ontological framework of be–do–have (instead of do–be–have), the role of language in performance (including insights from The Three Laws of Performance), and how identity, shame, and old stories quietly cap what you believe is possible.

You'll also hear a timely discussion on modern numbing mechanisms, including alcohol and doom-scrolling, and why true restoration often requires silence, solitude, and intentional inputs. Mike, Michael, and Jamie connect these coaching principles back to whole-person health, relationships, boundaries, and the long game of rewiring habits (with nods to concepts popularized in Atomic Habits). Michael closes by describing who he coaches best, how breakthrough work actually happens over time, and how listeners can connect with him for a vision-driven coaching conversation.

If you're an entrepreneur, leader, high performer, or anyone stuck in repetitive cycles, this episode offers a clear roadmap for mindset shifts, behavior change, and sustainable growth, without shame, without perfectionism, and without the illusion that more content will finally fix it.

Connect with Michael: https://www.mvlifecoach.com/

Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar!

Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

The newest dietary guidelines have officially been released, and for the first time in a long time, the language is shifting toward what is real and truly health-promoting — what the Nutritional Therapy Association has been teaching since 1997.

In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, Jamie Belz breaks down what it means to "eat real food" and shares the NTA's longstanding, scientifically backed, ancestrally aligned, tried-and-true nutrition teachings.

Jamie walks through how nutrition messaging became complicated, commercialized, and disconnected from human physiology, and how ultra-processed, hyper-palatable, food-like substances and industrial chemicals found in today's Standard American Diet have been engineered for profit, shelf stability, and addiction rather than nourishment.

This episode brings clarity to what "eat real food" actually means in real life.

You'll learn:

• What the new dietary guidelines say and what they still don't define clearly

• Why "permitted" or "regulated" does not mean safe or health-promoting

• How the GRAS system allows industrial chemicals into the food supply

• Why calories are fuel, while nutrients are information

• The NTA's clear definition of whole foods and nutrient-dense eating

• How bio-individuality explains why one diet never works for everyone

• The difference between macronutrients and micronutrients

• Why traditional fats support health and industrial seed oils undermine it

• How digestion, hydration, stress, and food preparation determine nourishment

• Why alcohol is never neutral when healing is the goal

• How to read ingredient labels without fear or obsession

Jamie also connects the dots between modern food processing, chronic disease, metabolic dysfunction, mental health struggles, and the rising dependence on medications, while offering a grounded, hopeful path forward rooted in education and foundational health principles.

This episode isn't about chasing trends or waiting for policy to catch up.

It's about understanding nutrition TRUTH.

If you're overwhelmed by nutrition advice, confused by labels, or tired of swinging between trends, this episode will help you simplify and reset.

Listen now and return to the foundations that have supported real healing long before the guidelines caught up.

Topics Covered:

New dietary guidelines explained

Whole foods vs ultra-processed foods

Nutrient-dense eating

Bio-individual nutrition

Macronutrients and micronutrients

Traditional fats and seed oils

Food additives and GRAS

Digestion and nutrient absorption

Hydration and mineral balance

Alcohol and metabolic health

Foundations of Health

Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• "Dehydration Nation" episode

• Ep 82 - Total Load Theory

• Ep 81 - Wellness 101

• Ep 80 - Digestive Hell

• Ep 79 - Optimal Digestion

• Ep 70 - Getting Started with Meal Planning and Eating Healthier Overall

• Ep 69 - Who Was Dr. Weston A Price?

• Ep 17 - Big Food Buzzwords

• BOOK: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell (MANY AVAILABLE NOW!)

SUPERFOODS EXAMPLES

Foods rich in vitamins: liver (beef or chicken), sweet potatoes, salmon, avocados, cooked spinach.

Foods rich in minerals: nuts and seeds, shellfish, legumes, dark leafy greens, whole grains, mineral-rich spring water.

Foods rich in polyphenols: herbs and spices (cloves are especially high), cocoa powder, black olives, blueberries, hazelnuts.

Probiotic foods: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso.

Omega-3 sources: cod liver oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines.

_______________

Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar!

Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us in Spotify comments!

In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz sits down with Patricia ("Patty") Lemer for a wide-ranging, hope-filled conversation on Total Load Theory, introducing and unpacking many of the topics covered in Patty's recently released book, Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health.

Patty Lemer is a pioneer and internationally recognized authority on identifying root causes and applying a holistic, systems-based model of care to autism, ADHD, learning differences (LD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), and mental health. She was among the first to apply the term "Total Load Theory" to mental health disorders, an engineering concept describing how the body accumulates an overload of stressors that eventually leads to dysfunction. Patty co-founded one of the first online non-profit organizations offering accessible information to families, helped establish a center for young adults in Kuwait (2012–2014), and has recorded over 100 episodes of her bi-monthly podcast, The Autism Detectives. Her work bridges decades of clinical observation with practical strategies, grounded in the fundamentals taught at the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA): nutrient-dense diet, digestion, blood sugar regulation, sleep, stress, and movement.

These "Foundations of Health" apply to all, not only those with difficult diagnoses. When viewed through a bio-individual lens, each of us can begin to see symptoms of dysfunction dissipate as balance is restored to the body.

Together, Jamie and Patty unpack how compounding stressors - from poor sleep and blood sugar swings to environmental toxins, mold exposure, nervous system dysregulation, EMFs, trauma, screen overload, and chronic inflammation - can accumulate until the body reaches a breaking point and symptoms become the dash lights we can't ignore.

This episode also explores why sleep may trump nutrition, how a dysregulated nervous system can block healing (even with the "right protocol"), the role of polyvagal theory and vagus nerve regulation, and why detoxification must be gentle, foundational, and consistent - not trendy or extreme.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Total Load Theory is and how "compounding stressors" lead to chronic symptoms

• Why symptoms often show up when the body hits a breaking point

• How stress includes far more than emotions: sleep debt, toxins, trauma, inflammation, screens, EMFs, and more

• Patty's perspective on sensory and vision therapies

• Why sleep hygiene can determine whether the body can heal, especially in kids and teens

• How nervous system dysregulation (fight/flight) can block progress in nutrition, detox, and therapy

• Practical starting points: reduce exposure, support elimination, prioritize sleep, and begin one step at a time

• Why healthy fats matter for brain and nervous system function (myelin, seizures, metabolic psychiatry)

• How to think like a "health detective" and trace symptoms back to root causes

• How to access Patty's new AI companion that searches her intellectual property and points listeners to relevant chapters and podcast episodes

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Patricialemer.com

• Multi-Media Content

• Podcast: Patricia Lemer: The Autism Detective

• Patty's AI companion: ai.patricialemer.com

• Patty's books: Outsmarting Autism and Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health

• Book Mentioned: The Sensitive Patient's Healing Guide by Dr. Neil Nathan

• Documenting Hope

• Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast - Wellness 101 (Help getting started with the Foundations of Health)

• Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast on Circumcision

Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar!

Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

This episode marks the conclusion of our recent Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, carefully curated as a launchpad for anyone wanting to level up in wellness.

In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast (originally Episode 46), host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, and CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, break down the Foundations of Wellness into common-sense action steps for anyone looking to level up.

If you've been nodding along with the wellness movement but still aren't sure how to take your first real step - or you want to double-check what you're doing to ensure you're not missing anything - this episode is your warm welcome in.

People everywhere are waking up to a simple truth: real health doesn't come from pills, shakes, or short-term programs. Most of us have tried them - spent the money, followed the plans - only to end up frustrated or right back where we started. The missing piece? A strong foundation. And the good news is, it's not complicated - just a few practical, common-sense shifts can spark real, lasting change.

This episode is packed with real talk, science-backed wisdom, and practical tips to help you pick your own adventure in a doable way. No more "all or nothing" attempts. Start over for the last time with one or a few of the easy but effective action steps you can incorporate today.

If you're ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and finally start your wellness journey, this episode breaks it down into six simple, sustainable categories - what we call the Foundations of Wellness. You'll learn how to:

• Eat a nutrient-dense diet rooted in real, whole foods (not calorie math), following Weston A. Price principles and honoring your bio-individual needs.

• Optimize digestion, the root of all health, by chewing thoroughly, practicing mindful eating, and supporting stomach acid and enzyme function.

• Balance blood sugar with small, daily habits like walking after meals and pairing carbs with protein and fat.

• Improve sleep through calming evening routines, avoiding stimulants before bed, and aligning with your circadian rhythm.

• Reduce stress with tools like the 4-7-8 breath, gratitude practices, and brain dumping.

• Incorporate movement you actually enjoy - walking, dancing, or strength training—while supporting lymph flow, bone density, and energy.

Podcast Episodes Mentioned (Besides the Rapid Replay Episodes):

⁠⁠Episode 28⁠⁠ – Blood Sugar 101

⁠Episode 29⁠ - Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Regulation

⁠Episode 62⁠ - Quick Tips From Your Blood Sugar Bestie

⁠Episode 74 - ⁠Dehydration Nation

Find a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP):

⁠⁠NTA Practitioner Directory⁠⁠

Work with a practitioner directly through the NTA. Book a consultation:

⁠NTA HEALTH⁠

Jamie's Rapid Replay Series BONUS Episodes (These are the episodes people tell us they skipped because they "didn't want to hear it."):

⁠Mystery Episode One⁠

⁠Mystery Episode Two⁠

⁠Mystery Episode Three⁠

⁠Mystery Episode Four⁠

Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star Review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?"

While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up.

We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites.

In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, brings back a historical lecture given by the founder of The Nutritional Therapy Association, Gray Graham. Gray discusses the optimal function of digestion in a way you've never heard it explained. Listen to this, then come back tomorrow to catch the next episode as Gray explains digestive dysfunction.

Optimal digestion is crucial for vitality. It ensures that the body efficiently breaks down food into nutrients, which are then absorbed and utilized for energy, growth, and cellular repair. Proper digestion supports a strong immune system, maintains a healthy gut microbiome, and helps prevent gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, it plays a significant role in mental health, as the gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to its impact on mood and cognitive function. Therefore, maintaining optimal digestion is vital for promoting physical and mental health, enhancing quality of life, and preventing chronic diseases.

The follow-up to yesterday's explanation of how digestion works when functioning optimally, today's episode continues along the journey of digestion, explaining that if someone is not properly digesting their food, they will not be able to absorb and assimilate the nutrients from the foods they are eating, regardless of how healthful those foods are. Gray walks you through "Digestive Hell" – the myriad of diseases, conditions, and other unpleasantries that arise from a suboptimal digestive system.

Every cell in an organism's tissues, organs, and systems relies on the ability to absorb nutrients from food properly. Factors such as stress, poor eating habits, gallbladder removal, and reduced stomach acid (HCl) levels can hinder digestion. Given the critical role of nutrition in maintaining healthy cells, any disruption in digestion can be harmful in various ways. A dysfunctional digestive system catalyzes a domino effect, impacting the functioning of other bodily systems.

Topics Discussed:

– Recap of optimal digestion

– Start of digestive dysfunction

– "Where's 'Digestive Hell'?"

– Distraction, stress, sympathetic state

– Pancreatic amylase

– Dysbiosis, yeast, pathogens

– It's all about acid/pH levels

– Macronutrient degradation

– Inputs for the production of HCl

– Things that cause hypochlorhydria (stress, too much protein, zinc, other nutrient deficiencies, allergies…)

– Dr. Jonathan Wright, Heidelberg Test, hypochlorhydria, pH for proper hormone function, and enzymatic action

– Pasteur vs. Bechamp / Microorganisms vs. Terraine (Which is to blame?)

– H. pylori

– Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD, ulcers

– Homework/experiment

– Incomplete digestion, whole food particles in the small intestine

– Gallbladder, bile, fats, cholecystokinin, liver, fat-free or low-fat diet as the cause of gallstones and gallbladder dysfunction, cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)

– Burping up fish oil and delayed-release fish oil

– Undigested proteins, microvilli, leaky gut/gut permeability, immune dysfunction

– Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, healing her autistic child, GAPS Diet

– Large intestine/colon, ileocecal valve, dysbiosis, inflammation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel, Crohn's disease, celiac disease/gluten reactivity, hormones/endocrine system, enzymes, heart health, allergies, butyric acid, and foul-smelling feces

________________________________________

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