WholisticMatters Podcast powered by Standard Process

HOST: Betsy Miller, MS, CNS, RH(AHG), DCN-c

GUEST: Weston Bussler, PhD

Host Betsy Miller, MS, CNS, RH(AHG), DCN-c talks with Weston Bussler, PhD about the intersection of agricultural science and nutrition science, and how farming practices influence nutrient density in crops. They discuss the differences between conventionally, organically, and regeneratively grown food. Weston highlights the micronutrient shortfall in current US food supply, and how practitioners can help patients fill these nutrient gaps with diet and whole food supplementation.

Weston Bussler, Ph.D., is a product development manager at Standard Process Inc., where he works within the Nutrition Innovation Center (NIC). The NIC is Standard Process's clinical research facility, designed to advance nutrition science specific to the whole-food health advantage.

Weston is passionate about helping physicians and patients support health and wellness by maximizing the nutritional density of whole foods. In his work, he is focused on conducting and adopting the latest scientific research and technologies into whole-food nutritional products and translating science into evidence-backed insights for healthcare practitioners.

Show Summary

1:50 The influence of farming practices on nutrient density: intersection of agricultural science and nutrition science

3:11 Crop choice, strain selection, environmental influences, soil quality and other factors that affect the nutrient content of crops

5:36 Nutrient density of plants grown conventionally versus organically and regeneratively

7:34 The importance of phytonutrient density and diversity of colorful plant compounds in fruits and vegetables

11:25 Stressors applied to plants during the growing process can influence the density of phytochemicals and nutrients produced in the plant

14:02 Discussion of studies that looked at yield-focused intensive agriculture and it's affect on nutrient density in foods – decline in crop varieties' nutrient uptake ability as compared to ancient varieties, and how we can remedy this decline

20:29 Sourcing ancient varieties for optimal nutrient content

25:16 Differentiation between genetic plant breeding versus genetically modified crops

28:17 Micronutrient shortfall in current US food supply: how practitioners can help patients fill these nutrient gaps

31:33 Whole food supplements as a bioavailable option to fill nutrient gaps

35:35 The importance of a healthy diet along with targeted whole food supplementation for optimal health

Host: Betsy Miller, MS, CNS, RH(AHG), DCN-c

Guest: Nathan Rose, BHSc (Naturopathy)

Nathan Rose is the Head of Education at Integria Healthcare, leading practitioner education across MediHerb, Eagle and Eagle Clinical in ANZ, the US, UK and South Africa. With over 20 years of industry experience in clinical practice and leading teams in education, innovation, and research and development, Nathan brings a broad skill set and passion to deliver cutting-edge, engaging and clinically relevant information. Combining his background in naturopathy with his innate curiosity, Nathan has a relentless drive to uncover and broadcast new solutions to common clinical presentations. As a recognized international speaker and industry-thought leader, Nathan's presentations are novel and insightful, and at times question the status quo, all in attempt to continue to progress the power and efficacy of natural healthcare.

Nathan Rose and Betsy Miller sit down for a conversation about the influence bitter herbs have on digestion, appetite regulation, and weight loss. They discuss weight loss, GLP-1 medications, neuroinflammation, and the vagus nerve. Betsy asks Nathan about the importance of whole food nutrition, especially fiber and protein, in influencing the incretin hormone pathway that includes GLP-1, CCK, and PYY. Nathan also cites several important studies on weight loss and appetite regulation, including a study on how mindset and framing language around food can influence appetite regulation and metabolic signaling.

EPISODE SUMMARY

2:18 Bitter herbs, bitter taste receptors, and their influence on digestion, appetite regulation

5:18 Evidence that bitter herbs influence digestion and appetite regulation

8:23 Effectiveness of taking bitter herbs on the tongue versus ingesting bitter herbs in a tablet form

10:51 How bitter herbs influence weight loss

15:13 Maintaining weight loss after discontinuation of GLP-1 medications

21:22 Metabolic set point – regaining weight after weight loss

25:59 Ability of bitter herbs to communicate with the brain via the Vagus nerve

27:26 Neuroinflammation as a potential driver of the stuck metabolic set point – reduce neuroinflammation with neuroprotective herbs to reduce the metabolic set point

29:53 Importance of whole food nutrition, especially fiber and protein, in supporting the GLP-1 pathway

38:36 How mindset can influence appetite regulation and metabolic signaling

47:04 Clinical takeaway – working with patients through a multisystem condition like obesity and unwanted weight gain requires using bitter herbs, as well as whole food nutrition and reframing language around food to help shift the needle

Host Amy Malek and Guest Betsy Miller engage in a fun and informative conversation about holistic strategies to help kids stay healthy as they head back to school. They cover the common concerns – immune support, focus, sleep, and anxiety. They discuss diet, supplements, and lifestyle routines to support an easy transition. Betsy shares strategies that work for her school age children, like creative methods for getting kids to take supplements, nutrient dense colorful whole food recipes, and how to encourage a healthy relationship with food.

Betsy Miller is a Registered Herbalist and Certified Nutrition Specialist, and the manager of Clinical Product Support at Standard Process. Betsy specializes in nutrition and herbs for women's reproductive health, particularly fertility challenges, prenatal care and postpartum support. In addition to her work with Standard Process, Betsy adjunct faculty in the herbal medicine program at the School of Integrative Health at the Notre Dame Maryland University where she is also a clinical nutrition doctoral candidate.

• 2:21 Supporting brain health and focus in school age children with supplements and whole food nutrition
• 5:24 Supplementing to fill nutrient gaps in children
• 7:44 Immune support for back-to-school
• 12:28 Choosing supplement formats and formulas designed for children
• 15:17 What to look for when choosing a pediatric multivitamin
• 17:52 Sleep hygiene for school age children including herbal remedies, routines, and lifestyle recommendations
• 23:11 Managing anxiety around social and academic concerns
• 26:28 The color of food and it's impact on immunity and overall health for kids
• 30:09 Cultivating a healthy relationship with food

HOST: Dr. Daina Parent, ND

GUEST: Cheryl Cuozzo, MSN, APRN, ANP-C, FNP-C, FAIHM

Cheryl Cuozzo, an integrative Nurse Practitioner, shares her personal story overcoming Lyme Disease with host and Naturopathic Doctor Daina Parent. They discuss early signs and symptoms, issues with testing and protocols, and the limits of the conventional model when dealing with complex conditions such as Lyme, co-infections and other chronic conditions. Cheryl's inspiring story led her to design an integrative foundational healing program for her patients that she based of off the holistic care that helped her recover from Lyme. Both practitioners share diet, lifestyle, supplementation and herbal remedies that support the multisystem recovery process from complex conditions.

Cheryl Cuozzo, MSN, APRN, ANP-C, FNP-C, FAIHM, is a dual Master's–prepared clinician with graduate degrees in Nursing Education and Nurse Practitioner studies. She is double board-certified as an Adult and Family Nurse Practitioner and is a Fellow of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (FAIHM). Cheryl is the first and only Nurse Practitioner in Connecticut to earn FAIHM distinction.

Cheryl's work emphasizes foundational nutrition, neuroimmune regulation, detoxification support, and whole-body lifestyle strategies. She is the founder of Intentional Wellness, a worldwide virtual consulting platform born from her Connecticut-based practice, Cuozzo Health Integrative Medicine. Having personally recovered from Lyme disease using integrative, non-drug approaches, her clinical focus centers on supporting individuals with Lyme disease, co-infections, and other complex, multisystem chronic conditions.

2:00 Cheryl's personal Journey with Lyme: early symptoms and signs

5:25 Cheryl's personal Journey with Lyme: Laboratory testing discrepancies and working Dr. Sensenig

10:28 Cheryl's personal Journey with Lyme: Navigating conventional and holistic strategies

13:15 Five Healing Foundations: integrative strategies as the foundation of Cheryl's practice, modeled after her own experience

18:30 The importance of whole food nutrition in the healing process

19:12 The importance of starting a detoxification/purification protocol with a qualified healthcare practitioner before incorporating strong herbs to address Lyme

24:05 Targeted movement and regenerative sleep as part of the healing process

33:54 Neuroimmune and Endocrine regulation

35:42 Herbal supplementation for energy and nervous system regulation

37:28 Toxic load reduction – through a focus on diet, personal and household care products, and detoxification/purification

42:26 Clinical tip: prescribing lifestyle and sleep recommendations to patients for greater compliance

45:21 Integrative care as a Nurse Practitioner: Differences between the conventional model and an integrative approach

49:22 Dr. Sensenig quote "The minute you reduce medicine to protocols you remove the patient from the equation" – looking at each person as an individual

50:03 Supplements and herbal remedies for neuroinflammation in Long COVID and EBV antibody reactivations

52:17 Supplementation and herbals for Lyme coinfections

54:09 Timeline for working with long COVID – when do patients start to feel better?

56:35 Cheryl's mentorship program - training other practitioners in whole food nutrition and integrative strategies: www.cuozzohealth.com

58:57 Shift from conventional mindset to integrative approach - "what's good for the patient?"

1:00:35 Not a one-size-fits-all strategy for Lyme, long COVID and coinfections; remembering the foundation of whole food nutrition

Rebecca Jankowski and Theresa Kopac, co-owners of Interwovxn, join host Dr. Daina Parent, ND for an insightful and important conversation about postpartum and perimenopause. Rebecca and Theresa share their unique experiences supporting women during these two major life transitions, and what happens when these two phases happen simultaneously. They share diet, herbs, lab testing, and lifestyle routines that set their clients up for improved overall well-being and better health outcomes. Rebecca and Theresa share the importance of embracing change and seeking support through the transitions of motherhood, postpartum and perimenopause.

Rebecca states "I believe that by addressing the unique needs of women at every stage, we can create an ecosystem of understanding, empowerment, and connection that benefits individuals and communities alike." Theresa echos a similar sentiment, saying that "Mental health and well-being are deeply interconnected with how we show up in the world, and creating environments where women feel valued and understood is essential. Together, we can create a ripple effect, nurturing ourselves and building thriving, supportive communities."

Please join us and listen in as we deepen our knowledge and empower ourselves with education.

Rebecca Jankowski, L.Ac, MSOM, FABORM

Rebecca Jankowski has been practicing Acupuncture for nearly 20 years, and is a board-certified women's health acupuncturist. While she has specialized training in women's health and fertility, her approach extends to anyone seeking greater wellbeing, resilience, and balance in everyday life. In addition to acupuncture, Rebecca is board certified in Chinese herbal medicine and specializes in creating personalized formulas to support whole-body health.

Theresa Kopac, Reiki Practitioner, Wellness Consultant, Doula (Motherhood, Postpartum, and Hysterectomy)

Theresa brings years of experience as a postpartum and motherhood doula, with a focus on matrescence—the profound transition of becoming a mother. Her approach blends compassionate listening with tailored resources, empowering you to feel more grounded, resilient, and supported in your unique motherhood path. Supporting women through the intricacies of postpartum and perimenopause is now at the core of her work, as she strives to create space for them to thrive, honor their needs, and reclaim joy. Theresa also brings years of experience in Reiki.

3:01 Matrescence and it's affects on identity and women's health

4:37 Postpartum depletion

5:20 How personal experiences shaped Rebecca and Theresa's work in postpartum and perimenopause – women's health stages often are interwoven

9:34 What the body and mind experience during postpartum through the lens of TCM

12:15 The rewiring of the brain for the new maternal demands

15:19 "There is no bouncing back" – but there is a rebuild

15:58 Traditional Chinese Medicine nourishment for postpartum

20:32 Shifts in identity during Matresence and Perimenopause

22:15 The need for education around perimenopause

24:24 "The Second Spring" – how TCM views perimenopause

25:51 The hormone shifts from child bearing years through menopause

28:11 The secret to change: using your energy not to fight the old but to embrace the new

30:02 What happens when postpartum overlaps with perimenopause – sleep deprivation, adrenal fatigue, anemia, thyroid function and more

35:02 Botanicals and nutrients to nourish the body during postpartum and perimenopause

37:00 Supporting with doula care – the power of a prepared meal and offering space to heal

38:33 Clinical takeaways – meet her where she's at, celebrating the small wins, and educating on diet to support symptoms

39:53 Be willing to ask for support – Interwovxn offers partner guides and resources to educate partners, increasing understanding and awareness

41:07 Seeking Support – find practitioners that can help at interwovxn.com, with additional educational resources like podcasts, newsletters, and social channels

The Wholistic Take is a podcast series on the Wholistic Matters Podcast. We explore the latest health news and trends from a wholistic health perspective. The Wholistic Take episodes are shorter in length for easier consumption and timely delivery. We track the latest health news and offer wholistic insights for you to use in clinical practice and for personal care.

HOST: Dr. Daina Parent, ND

GUEST: Betsy Miller, MS, CNS, RH(AHG), DCN-c

In this mini episode, Dr. Daina Parent and Betsy Miller discuss the recent renaming of the condition formerly known as PCOS, know renamed PMOS. They cover what this name change means, why it's important and how it will affect women's healthcare going forward. Parent and Miller emphasize the importance of a holistic approach in managing PMOS symptoms, including lab testing, diet, herbs, nutrients, and lifestyle.

Betsy Miller, MS, CNS, RH(AHG), DCN-c is a clinical herbalist and certified nutrition specialist with a passion for women's health, evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care. Over the past 15 years she has devoted herself to building a clinical practice, cultivating critical research skills and teaching herbal medicine at the graduate level. She is the Clinical Product Support Manager at Standard Process and contributes digital education content for the Wholistic Matters website.

• 1:35 PCOS is now PMOS – why is this news?
• 2:55 How the new name will help woman receive the proper diagnosis
• 4:33 LH:FSH Ratio – when and how to test for these
• 5:24 Supporting symptoms of PMOS including insulin resistance, ovulation, and hyperandrogenism
• 6:48 Lab testing, nutrients and herbs for blood sugar regulation
• 9:57 Menstrual Irregularities – individualized approach paired with labs, nutrients and herbs
• 14:11 Supporting hyperandrogenism and hirtuism
• 15:19 How to support fertility challenges
• 17:24 Diet and lifestyle recommendations for managing PMOS

HOST: Dr. Sarah Clarke, DC, IFMCP

GUEST: Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG)

Dr. Sarah Clarke and Mimi Hernandez discuss the trending gut-first approach in holistic pediatric care. Mimi emphasizes the critical window in childhood to tend to the terrain, or landscape, of the microbiome which builds a foundational layer of health that is carried into adulthood. They discuss common childhood concerns such as eczema, respiratory conditions, diarrhea, constipation, and more. Mimi highlights clinical studies that show promising results to mitigate or resolve many of these conditions with the use of children's synbiotics, which include fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics that help a child's gut microbiome flourish.

Mimi Prunella Hernandez is a clinical herbalist with a passion for research-based applications and experience in the natural product industry. She has educated students and medical practitioners in herbal medicine through various platforms, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific insights. She is currently an Herbal Therapy Liaison and clinical educator for Standard Process. She is the author of the National Geographic Herbal and coauthor of the National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants.

PODCAST SUMMARY

• 2:00 A gut-first approach to children's gut health
• 3:00 Tending to the microbiome – prebiotic inulin and fermented foods
• 4:40 Metaphor from an herbalist's perspective: Tending to the flora in the landscape of the microbiome
• 5:27 The state of the terrain, or landscape, of children's microbiomes today – how children's gut health is affected by their environments
• 6:58 How parents can support the terrain of their children's microbiome – the gut-brain connection
• 9:00 The importance of fiber to the gut landscape – types and diversity
• 10:39 Critical window of development in childhood to develop a healthy microbiome
• 12:17 Beta-glucans that feed gut microbes – found in mushrooms and ancient oat varieties
• 13:40 How polyphenols found in colorful foods encourage the microbiome to develop
• 15:25 Constipation in children – fiber is not the whole story: soluable vs insoluable fibers, the gut-brain connection, dysbiosis and more
• 18:56 Lack of biodiversity in microbiome due to low fiber and how it contributes to constipation
• 19:36 Short-chain fatty acids, or microbial metabolites – signals that communicate with the nervous and immune systems
• 23:40 Connection between skin conditions and the microbiome
• 26:52 Bifidobacterium lactis – will thrive when given the right fiber
• 27:30 Benefits of children's synbiotic combinations
• 30:12 Early antibiotic use and the impact on microbiome health
• 31:20 Sacromyceses boulardi – probiotic yeast that has benefits post-antibiotic use
• 33:58 Best forms of children's synbiotic supplements – are probiotic gummies really effective?
• 35:05 Using clinically studied microbes in pediatric research
• 39:25 Supplementing with fibers in children's synbiotic blends to help bridge the fiber gap in children's diets
• 40:43 Setting a strong foundation in childhood for optimal health into adulthood with microbiome support

HOST: Dr. Daina Parent, ND

GUEST: Sarah Thompson, Dpl.OM, L.Ac., CFMP, and Birth Doula

Sarah Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on preparing for motherhood and maternal care. Host Dr. Daina Parent, ND and Sarah Thompson, Dpl.OM, L.Ac., CFMP, and Birth Doula, engage in an important conversation around the need for improved care for the mother in preconception, fertility and pregnancy. They discuss how whole food nutrition, lifestyle, functional lab testing and interpretation, and collaborative care can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes for mom and baby. Throughout the episode Sarah offers clinical pearls on how to improve diets of pregnant patients and influencing positive lifestyle changes.

Sarah Thompson is the author of Functional Maternity - Using Functional Medicine and Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes and Beyond Results – A Practitioner's Guidebook to Functional Lab Analysis in Pregnancy. She is a certified functional medicine practitioner, licensed acupuncturist, board-certified herbalist, birth doula, and educator with a passion for pregnancy care.

She is a leader in the practice and education of maternity functional medicine. Sarah combines evidence-based research in prenatal and maternity nutrition with functional medicine and nutrition principles. Sarah's clinical experience spans nearly 20 years.

• Foods for preconception – antioxidants from colorful whole food fruits and vegetables, omega-3s, and more
• The Whole Food Matrix – benefits of consuming vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a whole food form
• Functional approach to interpreting labs during pregnancy

• 2:15 Discovering the passion for functional maternity care
• 5:32 Inspiring birth stories and navigating fear around childbirth
• 6:52 Opportunities for growth and improvement in conventional model of pregnancy care
• 8:06 "Prenatal care is the care of the baby. Maternity care is the care of the mother. We have lost the care of mothers through the care of pregnancy."
• 9:00 How nutrition and lifestyle affects mother and baby
• 13:07 Preconception preparation – preparing the body for pregnancy
• 18:34 Foods for preconception – antioxidants from colorful whole food fruits and vegetables (polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and others), omega-3s, and more
• 22:54 Oxidative Stress Defined
• 25:22 The Whole Food Matrix – benefits of consuming vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a whole food form
• 28:09 Managing cravings for unhealthy foods during pregnancy and balancing with nutrient dense foods
• 30:04 "How do I make what you're doing work better for you?" - individualized nutritional support
• 33:04 Simple ways to add polyphenols to meals
• 36:19 Elevating everyday recipes to increase nutrient density and phytonutrient content
• 39:42 An individualized approach to herbs in pregnancy
• 42:52 Functional Medicine approach to common issues in pregnancy
• 49:43 The interconnectedness of systems and functions of the body in pregnancy
• 50:59 Modifiable lifestyle factors to improve pregnancy complications
• 53:47 Functional approach to interpreting labs during pregnancy
• 1:04:00 Collaboration in Care – it takes a village of practitioners working together to deliver holistic pregnancy care
• 1:06:00 Advice to practitioners and patients: importance of individualized maternal care and focusing on aspects of pregnancy and birth we can control

Supporting Mental Health with Detoxification, Nutrition and Chiropractic Care

How chiropractic care, nutrition support, strategic supplementation and testing can mitigate the affects of toxins on brain, spine, and nervous system health

HOST: Dr. Sarah Clarke, DC, IFMCP

GUEST: Dr. Sarah Kotlerman, BS, DC, NTP

Drs. Sarah Clarke, DC, IFMCP and Sarah Kotlerman, BS, DC, NTP discuss how toxic burden can affect every aspect of health, especially the brain and nervous system. They discuss the most prevalent mental health conditions and clinical strategies to find balance naturally. Dr. Kotlerman shares case studies and clinical experiences that highlight how whole food nutrition, strategic supplementation, testing and chiropractic care can help patients detox to aide in recovery from conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, migraines, and seizures, as well as fertility issues, childhood diseases, and other chronic illnesses.

Through her work at Averio Health Institute, Dr. Kotlerman has specialized in the non-surgical regeneration of spinal ligament instability, advanced toxicity removal through chiropractic care and overall improvement of spinal alignment and motion.

Dr. Kotlerman has published fifteen international case studies on the regenerative outcomes and results of concentrated chiropractic care using Averio Health Institute methods, as well as authored multiple books, co-starred in a documentary: Health For Our Future, spoken on multiple radio shows, podcasts, national TV interviews and regularly teaches and speaks at various conferences annually.

SHOW NOTES

2:24 Concentrated chiropractic care paired with nutrition support, testing and education

7:45 Inspiration for bringing back the concept of the chiropractic hospital

10:24 Detoxification and chiropractic care paired with strategic supplementation

15:11 The affect of toxins on fertility and childhood diseases – the risk of BPAs, polyester and other plastics

19:29 The affects of toxins on the nervous system

25:18 Toxic burden and the connection to ADHD, Depression and other mental health conditions – using chiropractic care, detoxification and supplementation to address mental health

32:35 Causes of damaged cervical spine - connected to stress and toxins as well as physical injury

33:56 Alignment Issues: reduced circumference of arteries in neck create higher risk for Dementia and Alzheimer's (loss of normal blood flow to the brain)

37:01 The Three T's – Trauma, Thoughts and Toxins

37:33 The connection between toxicity and seizures and migraines

40:56 Nutrition and whole food supplementation to aid in detoxification

44:25 Root causes and protocols for anxiety

Dr. Kotlerman is a speaker at Cultivate Boston April 30-May 2. Register for an in-person or virtual experience.

In this deeply important conversation, Dr. Daina Parent, ND sits down with Dr. Jannine Krause, ND, acupuncturist, and host of The Health Fix Podcast, to explore practitioner burnout and practical strategies for restoring balance.

Dr. Jannine shares her personal journey through burnout in her own clinical practice—what led to it, how she recognized it, and the steps she took to heal and thrive again.

This episode offers actionable tools and empowering insights to help practitioners protect their energy, restore nervous system balance, and create sustainable clinical careers.

Episode Highlights

1:52 – Dr. Jannine's personal journey with practitioner burnout 5:25 – The Physician Heal Thyself course: why filling your own cup comes first 7:30 – Practical tips for establishing healthy energetic boundaries 11:45 – Simple nervous system regulation strategies for before, during, and between patient sessions 14:38 – Exercises to tone and strengthen the parasympathetic nervous system 21:21 – The significance of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) 23:06 – Epigenetic testing and biological age: connections to nervous system regulation 25:24 – Daily survival patterns and the power of thought 29:30 – How nutrition and herbs influence nervous system resilience 35:03 – Herbal support for peri- and menopause 35:20 – The role of cleansing and detoxification in resetting the nervous system 38:25 – The most important element of a foundational diet: eating close to nature 40:25 – How homegrown food impacts how we feel in our bodies 43:25 – Self-care advice for practitioners

To learn more about Dr. Jannine Krause and her work, listen to The Health Fix Podcast and visit her website at doctorkrausend.com.