This Healthy Life

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Chelsea Azarcon, NMD, helps women uncover the hidden reasons behind chronic illness. After years as a patient searching for answers at top institutions like Mayo Clinic and UCLA Health, she became the doctor she needed, turning to integrative medicine when conventional care fell short. Today she helps women identify overlooked drivers of chronic symptoms, from Lyme disease and mold toxicity to MCAS, autoimmune conditions, and nervous system dysregulation. A Cornell-trained biologist with a doctorate from Bastyr University, she also explores the link between trauma and physical healing in her book, Losing You, Finding Me. She's the founder of Restore Naturopathic Medicine.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Integrative medicine as a bridge between conventional and natural treatment approaches
• Personal history with chronic illness shaping a root-cause approach to primary care
• Intake process built around a patient's full symptom history rather than a snapshot
• Tick-borne illness rates in California despite common assumptions about endemic regions
• Tick bite detection challenges, including painless bites and missed rash presentation
• Common co-infections seen alongside Lyme, including Bartonella, Babesia, and strep
• SOT / RNA-based therapy as an alternative to long-term antibiotic protocols
• Silencing RNA therapy targeting infection replication without triggering a kill response
• Addressing biofilm and dormant infection forms as part of treatment preparation
• Candidacy considerations and limitations for SOT / RNA-based infection therapy
• Typical treatment timelines and strain-specific dosing for tick-borne infections
• Lab testing approaches, from antibody panels to intracellular PCR and T-cell testing
• Cancer viewed through the lens of chronic illness and immune dysregulation
• The tumor microenvironment and its role in cancer cell development
• Circulating tumor cell testing as an early detection tool ahead of imaging
• Using circulating tumor cell response to guide chemotherapy and natural treatment choices
• Mast cell activation syndrome and its connection to immune dysregulation
• Mast cell stabilization strategies, from supplements to antihistamines to cellular support
• Mold exposure as an underrecognized trigger for mast cell activation
• COVID and long COVID's impact on the immune, neurological, and vascular systems
• Mitochondrial health's role in resolving chronic mast cell activation
• Advances in chronic illness treatment and diagnosis over the past decade

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Molekule

Air purification support for mold and airborne triggers common in chronic illness environments.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/molekule

BodyBio

Cellular membrane support for better nutrient absorption and detox. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH and save 15%.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BodyBio

Somavedic

Supports a calmer environment for immune and nervous system balance. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH and save 10%.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/somavedic

Vital Choice Seafood

Wild-caught seafood offering clean protein and anti-inflammatory support. Save 5% on your first order with code 1VCAF5.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/VitalChoiceSeafood

Bonafide Provisions

Bone broth supporting gut healing, a root cause often addressed in chronic illness recovery. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH15 and save 15%.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BonafideProvisions

ImmunoLytics

At-home mold testing with lab analysis, identifying the environmental triggers behind chronic illness.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Immunolytics

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

https://www.chelseaazarcon.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/naturallydrchelsea

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@naturallydrchelsea

KEYWORDS

chronic illness, Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, mast cell activation syndrome, MCAS, mold toxicity, integrative medicine, co-infections, autoimmune conditions, long COVID, cancer support, RNA therapy

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Adeel Khan is a physician-scientist, regenerative medicine pioneer, and CEO & Co-founder of Eterna Health, where he's advancing the future of longevity and cell-based therapies. His work has helped shape the field of regenerative medicine, and he has treated everyone from elite athletes and business leaders to complex chronic illness patients. Passionate about challenging conventional medicine, Dr. Khan is dedicated to developing innovative therapies that help people heal, perform better, and live longer.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

- Dr. Adeel Khan is a sports medicine doctor who became focused on regenerative medicine through PRP and stem-cell research.

- His goal is to help restore the body to a healthier, more youthful state.

- Mesenchymal “stem cells” are better described as medicinal signaling cells.

- These cells can reduce inflammation and support healing.

- Muse cells are a rare type of mesenchymal cell, making up about 1–2% of the population.

- Muse cells may offer pluripotent-like regenerative potential without the same tumor concerns associated with iPSCs.

- They may help repair damaged tissue and develop into different cell types.

- Muse cells are less widely used because they are rare and harder to isolate.

- Business interests, patents, and manufacturing costs may also affect which therapies clinics offer.

- Muse cells can come from bone marrow or fat tissue.

- Fat-derived Muse cells may have stronger immune-regulating effects.

- Bone-marrow Muse cells currently have more established clinical research.

- Fat-derived Muse cells are easier and less costly to produce because they do not require the same expansion process.

- Excessive cell expansion may increase DNA damage, making cell quality and processing important.

- For autoimmune conditions, Muse cells may help reset the immune system and potentially produce long-term remission.

- For degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and aging, repeat treatments may be needed as degeneration continues.

- Dr. Khan says the effects of treatment may decline after approximately 6–12 months.

- Younger people may benefit more from using their own cells, while donor cells avoid the need for harvesting.

- Banking cells while young could preserve youthful cellular characteristics for future treatments.

- Successful regenerative therapy also depends on optimizing sleep, exercise, nutrition, hormones, inflammation, metabolism, gut health, genomics, and proteomics.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Healthgevity Peptides

Peptide therapy designed to support cellular repair, recovery, and healthy aging.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Healthgevity

StemRegen

A daily supplement designed to support your body's natural stem cell activity.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/StemRegen

Genopalate

DNA-based nutrition test that personalizes your diet based on your genetics. Save $10 with code TRAILTOHEALTH.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/genopalate

Therasage

Support recovery and relaxation with targeted light therapy. Save 10% with code TRAILTOHEALTH.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/therasage

Oura Ring

A smart ring that tracks sleep, recovery, and readiness to optimize your body's healing potential.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/OuraRing

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

http://eterna.health

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr.akhan

https://www.instagram.com/eterna.health

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dr.akhanofficial

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@theregendoc

LinkedIn:

https://ae.linkedin.com/in/dradeelkhan-md

KEYWORDS

Muse cells, stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, mesenchymal stem cells, PRP, stem cell banking, anti-aging, Parkinson's treatment, autoimmune healing, longevity

MEET THE GUEST

Deanna Latson is a professional speaker who has spoken at over 800 universities, appeared on live TV, and worked with countless corporate audiences. She built her career making complicated topics simple, engaging, and unforgettable from health and leadership to business and personal growth. She later brought that same skill into the corporate world, becoming a global product and marketing executive and helping scale companies in health, wellness, skincare, supplements, and direct selling.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Most women get “the talk” about periods at 12, but no one explains perimenopause or menopause.
• About 6,000 women enter menopause every day, and many go through it in silence.
• Only five other species go through menopause, all of them whales, including killer whales, belugas and narwhals.
• Symptoms go far beyond hot flashes: brain fog, poor sleep, bloating, thinning hair and skin, joint pain and irritability.
• Falling estrogen also affects the heart and raises the risk of bladder infections that can spread to the kidneys.
• The “3 a.m. club”: hormone-driven sleep disruption that worsens mood, digestion and weight gain.
• Perimenopause can start in your 30s, and doctors often miss early changes in digestion, sleep, skin and energy.
• Get your hormones tested, then retest a few months later, since levels fluctuate.
• This year’s World Menopause Day theme is midlife pain, because lower estrogen changes how we feel pain in our joints and bones.
• Deanna works in the field and still didn’t connect her sudden finger pain to her hormones.
• Anxiety and loss of confidence are common, fueled by a culture that equates menopause with getting old.
• Her advice to her 35-year-old self: learn the symptoms early and be proactive, not reactive.
• Beyond Team HRT and Team Natural, she champions “Team Informed Choice.”
• Interview your OB-GYN. Many aren’t trained in menopause, and it’s okay to switch doctors.
• Black cohosh and red clover started as folk remedies and now have clinical research behind them.
• She+ is a vegan jelly stick designed to be a treat, so it gets taken instead of joining the “supplement morgue.”
• In Immunotec’s consumer trial, over 90% were satisfied and about 78% reported better sleep and mood.
• Standardized herbal extracts cost more but deliver the same level of active compounds every time, and so more consistent results.
• In killer whale pods, females past menopause become the leaders, a reminder that this stage brings wisdom and power.

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Immunotec

The makers of She+, a plant-based jelly stick that supports women through perimenopause and menopause.

https://www.immunotec.com/

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

https://www.immunotec.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/immunotec

https://www.instagram.com/deannalatson/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Immunotec

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/immunotec

KEYWORDS

menopause, perimenopause, menopause symptoms, World Menopause Day, hot flashes, brain fog, menopause sleep, hormone health, estrogen, HRT, black cohosh, red clover, natural menopause relief, She+, Immunotec, women’s health, midlife, joint pain, supplements

MEET THE GUEST

Andrew Salisbury, founder and CEO of Purity Coffee, believes healthier coffee is key to wellness, performance, and longevity. Drawing on his experience, he created a meticulous process to make the healthiest coffee. Purity Coffee bridges the gap between coffee's benefits and public perception, advocating for its role in reducing health risks and promoting longevity.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Andrew Salisbury's shift from software and call centers in Latin America to coffee, sparked by his wife's health struggles and disagreements over whether coffee helped or hurt her.
• A dinner with two Vanderbilt Institute of Coffee Studies professors that surfaced coffee's health benefits, including antioxidants and links to lower rates of fatty liver, cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
• 164 million Americans drink coffee daily, largely unaware of its potential health upside.
• Coffee's dual nature: beneficial compounds to maximize, harmful contaminants to avoid.
• Heavy pesticide use in farming, including glyphosate and disulfin, absorbed directly into the cherry and seed.
• Antioxidant levels fluctuate significantly by harvest, region, and farming practice.
• Commodity pricing pays farmers by volume, removing incentive to grow for health benefits.
• Mycotoxin contamination leaves beans looking normal, detectable only through lab testing.
• Only very dark roasts destroy mycotoxins, but darkness also strips out antioxidants.
• Contamination testing costs a few hundred dollars per container, yet almost no company does it.
• Industrial mass-picking mixes ripe and spoiled cherries; mold spreads through a batch like one moldy strawberry infecting a container.
• Some processors spray coffee with water to add weight before shipping, pushing moisture toward legal limits and encouraging mold.
• Only an estimated 20-30% of global coffee is hand-picked to reduce contamination risk.
• Jitters, acid reflux, and nausea often stem from contaminants in low-quality coffee, not caffeine itself.
• Europe enforces stricter mycotoxin limits than the U.S., so substandard lots get redirected to American buyers.
• An ancient Incan biochar method, paired with microlending to farmers, raises chlorogenic acid levels through soil regeneration.
• High-altitude, shade-grown Arabica outperforms lowland Robusta in antioxidants as the plant works harder for sunlight.
• Roast curve chemistry balances acrylamide risk in light roasts against PAH risk in dark roasts while preserving antioxidants.
• Lab partnerships in Portugal and Brazil map roast curves to retain chlorogenic acids without harmful byproducts.
• An estimated 1-2% of coffee industry-wide is tested for mycotoxins, pesticides, and heavy metals.
• The myth that coffee is inherently unhealthy traces to mid-century studies that failed to separate coffee drinking from smoking and heavy drinking.

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Purity Coffee

Organic, hand picked coffee lab tested for mold, mycotoxins, and heavy metals. Antioxidant focused roasting. Save 20% first order, code TRAILTOHEALTH.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/PurityCoffee

Portland Syrup

Small batch syrup made with simple, clean ingredients. A natural way to sweeten coffee.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/portlandsyrups

Breville

Brewing equipment for home baristas who care about precision as much as bean quality.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Breville

Almond Cow

Make plant milk at home without additives or fillers. A clean pairing for coffee drinkers. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH to save 10%.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/AlmondCow

Aquasana

Clean filtered water for brewing, free of contaminants that affect taste and quality.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquasana

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

http://puritycoffee.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/purity_coffee

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mypuritycoffee

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@puritycoffee

KEYWORDS

coffee, mold, mycotoxins, antioxidants, chlorogenic acid, clean coffee

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Beth Westie is a Functional Medicine Practitioner, chiropractor, and best-selling author dedicated to women's hormone health. After her own struggle with ovarian cysts led her beyond birth control to nutrition-based healing, she created the Eat for Your Cycle™ Method. Author of The Female Fat Solution and The Female Menopause Solution, and host of The Female Health Solution Podcast, she's helped thousands of women balance their hormones naturally through her Hormone Foundations Program and speaking engagements.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

- Dr. Beth Westie's background: grew up on a Minnesota goat farm, former athlete, licensed in acupuncture/Chinese medicine

- Her personal health story: recurring ovarian cysts after her third child, dismissed by conventional medicine, resolved through hormone regulation via Eastern medicine

- Core topic: the "3 AM wake up" and what drives it

- Cortisol's role: normal daily rhythm vs. chronic stress raising nighttime cortisol and triggering alertness

- Blood sugar dips around 2-3 AM causing adrenaline surges that jolt people awake

- Cortisol awakening response and the risk of it spiking too high, then crashing later in the day

- Estrogen/progesterone balance and how luteal-phase (weeks 3-4) progesterone drops affect GABA receptors and sleep depth

- Personal example of strength fluctuating across her cycle due to hormonal shifts

- Using wearables to track sleep and heart rate patterns tied to cycle phases

- The Dutch test (dried urine hormone panel) for assessing hormones, cortisol, neurotransmitters, and nutrients

- Blood testing for glucose, insulin, and A1C, plus continuous glucose monitors

- Thyroid function (TSH, T4, T3, antibodies) and its link to metabolism, detox, and sleep

- Chinese medicine organ clock, with 1-3 AM linked to liver detoxification of hormones

- Chronic stress accumulation ("rocks in a backpack" analogy) and women's tendency to self-neglect

- Resting heart rate benchmarks (under 70 bpm) and how it varies by cycle phase

- Comparing biometric data month-to-month (same cycle day) rather than day-to-day

- Gut health's impact on sleep: poor digestive motility causing overnight bloating and discomfort

- Histamine's connection to hormones: overproduction/poor clearance driving estrogen up in a feedback loop

- Iron/ferritin deficiency as a common nutrient gap affecting overall function

- Personalized, test-based treatment approach rather than one-size-fits-all protocols

- Melatonin and other sleep aids often being the wrong fix when melatonin levels are already sufficient

EPISODE RESOURCES

Oura RingTracks sleep, heart rate, and HRV overnight to show how your cycle affects your rest.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/OuraRing

Function Health

Get lab-tested insight into your thyroid, hormones, blood sugar, and nutrient levels.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/FunctionHealth

Swanwick

Block blue light in the evening to support your natural melatonin and wind down easier. 15% off with code TRAILTOHEALTH.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/swanwick

Thorne

Clinical-grade iron and magnesium to help fill common nutrient gaps that impact energy, hormones, and sleep.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Thorne

BiOptimizers

Support digestion and gut motility to ease overnight bloating. Save 10% with code TRAILTOHEALTH.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/biooptimizer

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

http://drbethwestie.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/drbethwestie

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/drbethwestie

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@drbethwestie

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@drbethwestie.com

KEYWORDS

3am wake up, insomnia, cortisol, blood sugar, hormones, progesterone, estrogen dominance, perimenopause sleep, thyroid, liver detox, histamine, gut health, Dutch test, sleep hormones, women's health

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Jill Carnahan, Your Functional Medicine Expert®, is dually board-certified and founder of Flatiron Functional Medicine. A survivor of breast cancer, Crohn's, and toxic mold illness, she uncovers root causes through advanced testing and personalized care. Her bestselling memoir Unexpected and documentary Doctor/Patient share her journey. A sought-after speaker, she inspires audiences with science-backed insight, authenticity, and humor.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Bring dust sample kits (ERMI-style, e.g. Immunolytics) on every showing to test surfaces before making an offer.
• Learn visual red flags: warped floorboards, stained ceilings/corners, bathroom tile growth, and stucco type/installation quality.
• Keep a trusted mold inspector on call to do informal walkthroughs before an offer is made.
• Ask sellers pointed questions (dishwasher leaks, shower leaks, etc.); most were surprisingly honest.
• She toured 40+ homes; about 80% had significant mold, even in Colorado's dry climate and in expensive, newer homes.
• Her real question wasn't "is there mold" but "where is it, how fixable, and what will it cost."
• One stucco issue quoted at $250,000+ was a dealbreaker; minor sink/window-well leaks were manageable and budgeted in.
• She went under contract five times, backing out four times after formal inspections revealed major issues.
• Deal-breakers: foundational problems, roof/siding/stucco-wide water intrusion, and oddities like an indoor jacuzzi, versus minor, containable issues like a single leaky sink.
• Sellers sometimes pushed back hard on repair-cost requests, so having a knowledgeable realtor was essential.
• New homes aren't automatically safer: poor drywall/tile installation and off-gassing (formaldehyde, granite) are common, while very old homes carry decades of leak history.
• Her "sweet spot": homes roughly 8 to 15 years old.
• Crawl spaces and long-term single-owners with strong maintenance records are strong positive signals.
• Filing a legitimate mold claim on a past condo made it harder to get new homeowners insurance.
• Testing approach: dust (ERMI-style) plus air samples plus bulk/swab samples on visible growth; toilets and wax seals are common failure points worth replacing preemptively.
• In Colorado, buyers can exit contracts via "inspection objection" without disclosing mold specifically; she chose whether to share findings with sellers as a courtesy.
• Basements/window wells need proper stone (not mulch) and drainage to prevent water intrusion.
• Post-purchase upgrades: whole-home water filtration, Moen Flo smart shutoff with leak sensors at every fixture, and multiple air filtration units.
• Her advice: budget and stage fixes over time (water/roof/siding first) rather than trying to remediate everything at once.

EPISODE RESOURCES 

AirDoctor

Hospital-grade purifier that traps mold spores, allergens & VOCs for cleaner, healthier indoor air.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/AirDoctor

Immunolytics

Order at-home testing for mold in your home.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Immunolytics

Aquasana

Whole-home water filtration that removes contaminants for cleaner, safer water straight from every tap.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquasana

Branch Basics

Non-toxic cleaning products, perfect for a mold-safe move-in deep clean. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% off.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BranchBasics

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/drjillcarnahan

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/FlatironFunctionalMedicine

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@DrJillCarnahan

KEYWORDS

mold-free home, house hunting mold, ERMI dust test, mold inspection, water damage, home buying tips, air purifier, water filtration

MEET THE GUEST

Jamie Goldman, MS, CN, NBC-HWC is a Health Coach at Viome and a member of the company's Precision Nutrition Science team. Jamie combines expertise in functional medicine, nutrition science, and health coaching to help people translate complex health data into practical, sustainable lifestyle changes.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Viome's at-home test kit: collect a sample, send to the lab, get a readout on gut and body-system function.
• Why Viome analyzes RNA, not DNA or blood biomarkers: RNA reflects active gene expression, not static genetic code.
• Stool RNA analysis reveals which gut microbes are present and what they're doing (e.g., methane gas production).
• Food recommendations target specific microbial activities: reducing trigger foods, adding foods that counter them.
• Why retesting every 4 to 6 months is recommended, giving enough time to see real change without overshooting.
• Supplements beyond food: vitamins, minerals, a 300+ ingredient plant extract library, probiotics, and prebiotic fibers.
• Why "gut-healthy" foods like yogurt and kombucha aren't universal (methane production, FODMAP sensitivity, sugar content).
• Viome users range from biohackers optimizing longevity to people with chronic, unexplained gut symptoms.
• The gut-brain axis: brain fog, low mood, fatigue, and poor cognitive clarity as signs of gut dysbiosis.
• Why generic probiotics are a gamble, versus matching strains to an individual's actual gut profile.
• A "healthy" microbiome means richness and diversity, like an old-growth forest versus an overgrown clear-cut.
• How antibiotics wipe out microbial diversity, and how to protect gut health during and after a course.
• Everyday gut disruptors: alcohol, sedentary behavior, chronic stress, and environmental toxins.
• Allergies (immune-driven, usually permanent), sensitivities (often from leaky gut, can resolve), and intolerances (genetic) differ.
• Emerging research: the estrobolome and estrogen metabolism, and the microbiome's link to bone density.
• Debunking carnivore: may ease GI symptoms short term but removing fiber isn't sustainable long term.
• Debunking juice cleanses: they strip fiber and effectively starve gut microbes.
• Best fiber sources: nuts, seeds, legumes, mushrooms, oats, hardier vegetables, and fruit.
• Prebiotic fiber types (FOS, PHGG) and why food-based fiber should come first, not just supplements.
• Starting advice: read ingredient labels, cut processed additives, and diversify diet with varied produce.

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Viome

Personalized gut health testing that analyzes your microbiome's RNA, with tailored food and supplement guidance.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/viome

Bulletproof

Innerfuel plant-based prebiotic fiber powder that feeds good gut bacteria. Save 20% with code TRAILTOHEALTH20.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/bulletproof

Breadsrsly

Naturally fermented, gluten-free sourdough breads and crackers. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH and save 15%.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BreadSRSLY

Thrive Market

Shop curated low-FODMAP and specialty diet groceries, making gut-friendly eating easier to find and afford.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/ThriveMarket

Four Sigmatic

Mushroom-powered coffees, elixirs, and supplements packed with beta-glucan fiber for gut support. 20% off with code ERIKA83918.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/foursigmatic

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

http://www.viome.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/viome/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/viome

KEYWORDS

Gut health, microbiome, RNA testing, prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, dysbiosis

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Emily Kostelnik is a Clinical Health Psychologist specializing in vestibular disorders who brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to her work. She is the founder of two organizations: Rooted Behavioral Education offers virtual behavioral health courses and coaching for those with chronic dizziness and The Vestibular Psychologist is private practice providing individual therapy and professional consultation to help clients reclaim a full and meaningful life.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Definition of the vestibular system, the inner ear's balance mechanism, working with vision and proprioception.
• Common inner-ear causes: BPPV (loose ear crystals) and Meniere's disease.
• Central/neurological causes: vestibular migraine and persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD).
• Vestibular migraine is the most common cause of dizziness in women under 60, often without head pain.
• Motion sickness in childhood as a possible early marker of vestibular migraine.
• Why diagnosis is hard: it falls between ENT and neurology specialties.
• Right specialists to see: otologist/neurotologist, balance-focused neurologist, headache specialist, or vestibular physical therapist.
• Ruling out other causes first (anemia, cardiac issues) before a vestibular diagnosis.
• Symptoms often appear "suddenly" but are usually building for a long time (the "final straw" concept).
• Root causes: nervous system dysregulation, toxic load, gut dysfunction, liver/bile issues.
• Overlap with MCAS, POTS, hypermobility, and neurodivergence (ADHD/autism).
• Mold exposure and mycotoxins as a major contributor to inflammation and vestibular symptoms.
• Nutrient deficiencies commonly seen (iron, vitamin D, B vitamins) in patients.
• Infections like Lyme disease, H. pylori, and candida as possible triggers.
• Histamine and mast cell activation's role in vestibular symptoms, and use of antihistamines/low-histamine diets.
• Ongoing research into hypermobility, connective tissue disorders, and genetic pathway variants in vestibular migraine.
• Prevalence: vestibular migraine affects about 1 to 2% of the population; BPPV affects about 7%. It's more common in women, with a research funding gap.
• Treatment options ranging from simple (repositioning maneuvers for BPPV) to complex (preventive medications, supplements, physical therapy, psychotherapy, root-cause approaches).
• Advice for listeners: start with a primary care doctor or vestibular physical therapist; hope lies in CGRP medications and inflammation-focused research.

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Viome

Uncover the gut-histamine connection behind your dizziness with an at-home test.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/viome

Thorne

Supplements including Quercetin Phytosome, a highly absorbable antioxidant that helps regulate histamine release.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Thorne

Pulsetto

A wearable vagus nerve stimulator that calms your nervous system in minutes.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Pulsetto

Earthing

Grounding products that calm nervous system dysregulation and reduce inflammation.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/earthing

Tick Tock Repellent

Natural tick protection to help prevent Lyme disease and its related complications.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/ticktocknaturals

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

https://www.rootedbehavioraleducation.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dremilykostelnik

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dremilykostelnik

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=%40dremilykostelnik&t=1785699859015

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@rootedbehavioraleducation

KEYWORDS

vestibular disorder, vertigo causes, chronic dizziness, vestibular migraine, BPPV treatment, MCAS symptoms, histamine intolerance, mold toxicity, nervous system dysregulation, Lyme disease dizziness

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Torrie Thompson is a functional wellness practitioner, educator, and founder of Meraki Wellness Center. Known for her root-cause approach, she helps clients uncover hidden factors that may be impacting their health, including mold exposure, environmental toxins, heavy metals, gut dysfunction, and other overlooked stressors. After overcoming her own decade-long health journey as a young adult, Dr. Torrie made it her mission to help others find answers when conventional approaches have fallen short. Through advanced testing, she has helped thousands of clients pinpoint potential root causes of their health challenges so they can finally take control of their health.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• Meraki Wellness Center's specialties: mold, Lyme, parasites, autoimmune disease, environmental toxins
• "Test, don't guess" approach to root-cause diagnosis
• Standard lab panel: organic acids, mycotoxins, environmental toxins, heavy metals, stool testing
• Treatment sequencing: mold/mycotoxins, then gut, then heavy metals/environmental toxins
• Urine vs. blood testing for mycotoxins
• Provocation methods before mycotoxin testing (exercise, sauna, lymphatic massage)
• Old or past mold exposure as a hidden, ongoing source of illness
• Food-based mycotoxins in peanuts, grains, and coffee
• Rising environmental toxin loads seen in testing, including in children
• Why a "clean" current lifestyle doesn't clear past toxic exposure
• Detox tools: binders, sauna, lymphatic support, hydration, inflammation reduction
• Prevalence of parasites in chronic illness, including in the US
• Drainage pathways: lymphatic system, liver, kidneys, gut
• Bowel movements and sweating as prerequisites for detox
• Long COVID's overlap with tick-borne illness and reactivated viruses (EBV, CMV)
• Rising rates of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
• Advanced testing: organic acids (OATs), neural zoomers, stealth infection panels
• Growing mainstream awareness of mold and toxin-related illness via social media
• Advice for starting a health journey: choosing a practitioner, using AI as a supplement, retesting to track progress

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Higher Dose

Infrared sauna blankets, PEMF mats & red light tools to support detox, circulation, and everyday recovery.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/HigherDose

AquaTru

Countertop reverse osmosis water filters that remove lead, PFAS, and chlorine.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquatru

AirDoctor

HEPA air purifiers designed to capture mold spores, VOCs, and ultrafine particles.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquatru

DesBio

Homeopathic drainage remedies to support the liver, lymphatic system, and detox pathways. Use this link for 5% off.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/DesBio

Quicksilver

Liposomal binders and liver-support formulas built to support detox and drainage pathways. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% off.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/QuicksilverScientific

ImmunoLytics

At-home mold testing kits with certified lab analysis, helping identify hidden indoor mold exposure.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Immunolytics

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

https://www.drtorriethompson.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/drtorriethompson

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=%40drtorriethompson&t=1785697467862

KEYWORDS

mold toxicity symptoms, mycotoxin testing, Lyme disease treatment, chronic illness root cause, environmental toxin detox, mast cell activation syndrome, parasite cleanse, liver detox support, lymphatic drainage, functional medicine practitioner, heavy metal detox, long COVID recovery

MEET THE GUEST

Jordan Glenn is the Head of Science at SuppCo, the app that personalizes and optimizes supplement routines. He holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology with a focus on nutrition, aging, and behavioral health, and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. As a scientist and researcher specializing in nutrition, supplements, and human health, Jordan is dedicated to translating complex science into practical, evidence-based guidance. His mission is to empower individuals with the clarity and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their supplement routines.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• How the supplement industry has evolved from single ingredients to niche, hyper-specific products
• SuppCo's mission to help consumers navigate supplement choices
• SuppCo's "Trust Score", rating brands on 30+ manufacturing attributes
• Third-party lab testing results on popular supplements bought online
• Creatine gummies found to be severely underdosed or missing active ingredient
• Lack of consistent regulatory testing after a product's initial approval sample
• How Amazon's "golden sample" testing loophole allows inconsistent product quality
• Why gummies struggle with heat- and moisture-sensitive ingredients like probiotics
• Dosing limitations of gummies (e.g., needing many gummies for a full creatine or omega-3 dose
• Buying from official brand storefronts vs. third-party Amazon sellers
• How absorption varies by form factor (capsules, powders, liquids, soft gels)
• Why probiotics need enteric-coated capsules to survive stomach acid
• Why fat-soluble nutrients (vitamin D, omega-3) are best delivered in fat-based formats
• Why creatine powder is considered the most stable, effective format
• Risks of stacking too many supplements without understanding interactions
• Downsides of proprietary multivitamin blends with hidden ingredient amounts
• Recommended "non-negotiable" starter stack: creatine, vitamin D3/K2, and magnesium
• The importance of knowing your specific reason for taking any supplement
• Which supplements can be taken indefinitely vs. those that should be cycled (e.g., berberine)
• Common supplement myths debunked (creatine as a gym-only supplement, price equals quality, more supplements equals better health, electrolyte necessity)
• The role of the placebo effect in perceived supplement benefits
• Where supplement regulation is headed and the growing role of consumer awareness

EPISODE RESOURCES 

SuppCo

Scan your supplements in the app, get a trust score for every product, and finally know what you are actually taking.

https://supp.co/

Thorne

Third-party tested creatine, magnesium and D3/K2, the trusted non-negotiable for your daily supplement stack.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Thorne

Function Health

Get lab tested and know exactly which nutrients you are actually deficient in before building a supplement stack.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/FunctionHealth

BiOptimizers

Magnesium Breakthrough covers the full spectrum most people are lacking. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 10% off.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/biooptimizer

Promix

Pure, lab tested creatine powder in the stable, effective format, easy to mix into water or coffee daily. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 10% off.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/PromixNutrition

Rho Nutrition

Clean, third party tested creatine to support energy, muscle and long term brain health. Get 15% off your first order with code TRAILTOHEALTH.

https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/RhoNutrition

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:

http://supp.co/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/joinsuppco

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@joinsuppco

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEB9zpr6dWBOOjQ868Y6yJQ

KEYWORDS

supplement quality testing, best creatine powder, creatine vs gummies, magnesium glycinate benefits, vitamin D3 K2 supplement, third party tested supplements, SUPCO trust score, supplement myths, how to choose supplements, probiotic absorption, best supplement stack, clean label supplements