Today's Nutrition

Today, I want to walk you through what SSRI’s are, how they work, what the science says and how functional nutrition looks at it.

Now, you may not know them by that technical name, but I bet you’ve heard their brand names: Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Prevacid. These are the purple pills and little capsules that so many people take for acid reflux, indigestion, ulcers, or heartburn. Some of them are available by prescription, and many are available over the counter.

They are powerful. They are effective. They can be life-saving in certain situations. But here’s the nasty rub: we now have decades of research that tells us that long-term use of these drugs may come with some very real risks. And yet, millions of Americans take them day in and day out, often for years, sometimes even decades, with no reevaluation.

When September hits, I always say it’s like a second “New Year.” Schedules tighten, routines reset, and — let’s be honest — the germs start flying. It is cootie season! packed classrooms, sports getting kids run down while exposure is increased. Between classrooms, sports teams, offices, and the changing seasons, our immune systems can be suddenly challenged. And this year, I want your family armed and ready — not with fear, but with resilience.

I am going to talk about the basics, the foundations of immune health: the basics I wrote about in my book, get out of hormone hell.  sleep, nutrition, hydration, and those sneaky daily habits that can either help or hurt. Because before you even think about supplements or fancy immune tonics, the truth is, like with any illness or complaint: if the basics aren’t in place, your defenses are only half-built.

So grab a notebook, maybe even your kids, and let’s dive in.

Today I’m tackling a common medication that some of us have in our purse, our glove compartment, and our nightstand—Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen. It’s considered so “safe” that hospitals hand it out like candy, pediatricians recommend it for teething babies, and it’s included in hundreds of over-the-counter products—cold remedies, sleep aids, sinus medicine, and pain relievers.

But here’s the truth: just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Yes—you heard me right. The most trusted household painkiller is also one of the most dangerous when misused.

Today, I want to break this down into six major problems: liver toxicity, gut and kidney problems, narrow safety margin, blood pressure and heart disease, Autism and ADHD, and masking problems, not curing them.

I’ll unpack and give you important alternatives that work.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken you on a journey with me to a little fishing village on the southern coast of Italy—Acciaroli. It’s one of my most fascinating places in the world because a remarkable percentage of the population lives past the age of 100, and not just living—but thriving. No cataracts, low heart disease (in fact they have a cardiovascular profile of a 20 year old) and no broken bones. These centenarians walk daily, tend their gardens, share meals with family, and even show remarkably low rates of dementia and diabetes.

Yes, you heard that right. That’s not just one or two lucky outliers—that’s entire generations of people thriving well into their centenarian years. And here’s the kicker: they’re not just alive, they    are    vibrant. They walk, they garden, they socialize, they work and they enjoy life and oh boy, they have a sparkle in their eyes, if you know what I mean. What is their secret? We know it’s not just genetics. Their genes are no different than ours. It is epigenetics.  How our environment, lifestyle, and daily choices actually switch genes on and off.

I recently visited Acciaroli, Italy, a tiny fishing village turned vacation hot spot on the Cilento coast, just south of the Amalfi coastline- so far south that no one spoke English!  But where an astonishing percentage of people live past 100 — and not just living, but living well. Sharp minds, active bodies, smiles on their faces, and a sparkle in their eyes. No cataracts, heart disease or broken bones- all those things we think are expected with aging.  We have to go back in time to see why they have such robust health.

Today we’re talking about one of the body’s most powerful secret weapons for weight loss, blood sugar balance, cravings, and even inflammation. It’s not a pill. It’s not a fad. It’s a now famous hormone your body makes naturally — and its name is GLP-1.

If that sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve heard about drugs like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, or Mounjaro® — all of which are GLP-1 agonists. These drugs mimic GLP-1 in the body to help people feel full longer, eat less, and lose weight. And yes, they work. But they come with a price — financially and physically — and they’re not always a long-term solution.

Here’s the good news: your body already makes GLP-1 on its own.
And with the right diet, lifestyle, and a little knowledge, we can help you naturally enhance your own production — safely and sustainably.

So today, , we’re going to cover the top 10 natural GLP-1 boosters that you can start using right away — no prescription needed.

And today, we’re diving into something I see frequently — the impact of stress, sleep disruption, and poor nutrition on teen hormones.

Teens are struggling. Anxiety, depression, acne, PCOS, attention issues, weight gain — it’s all on the rise. And the truth is, it’s not just about growing pains or raging hormones. It’s about the world they’re growing up in. The stress is higher. The sleep is worse. The food is more processed. The screens are everywhere. And their young, sensitive bodies are paying the price.

But here’s the good news — there’s a lot we can do. So today we’re going to pull back the curtain on the teen hormone storm, look at what’s driving it, and give you some simple, natural strategies to help your teens thrive.

It’s back-to-school season! And while some parents might be counting the days (can I get an “amen”?), let’s be honest: this time of year can be stressful, especially for our kids.

New routines, new teachers, social challenges, academic pressure, sports schedules, and of course—screens everywhere. It’s a lot for a developing brain and nervous system. Today, I want to talk about the real challenges our kids are facing, what’s happening under the surface, and what you can do right now to help your kids feel calm, focused, and emotionally resilient.

I’ll even tease a fantastic natural option from Terry Naturally called Calm Kids, which I’ll dive into fully in next week’s episode.