Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions

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Your brain isn’t on a fixed path. In this episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, you’ll hear from Dr. David Merrill, adult and geriatric psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and director of the Pacific Brain Health Center, as he shares how precision brain health can help you prevent or slow cognitive decline by targeting root causes you can actually change.

You’ll learn why memory loss isn’t inevitable, how integrative and functional frameworks uncover what’s driving your symptoms, and why prevention always beats repair when it comes to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The difference between normal aging and memory loss, and how to tell the two apart
• Why movement is medicine, from aerobic exercise that boosts BDNF to strength training that releases myokines and balance work that keeps your neural networks strong
• How nutrition shapes brain function, with Mediterranean and plant-forward keto diets, time-restricted eating, and metabolic balance
• The critical role of sleep and stress in brain repair, glymphatic clearance, and nighttime restoration
• The gut–brain connection in Parkinson’s and how toxins and microbiome balance influence brain health
• The power of social connection and community-based programs like Memory Club for cognitive and emotional strength
• How emerging blood biomarkers can help you detect changes earlier and take action when it matters most

Dr. Merrill reminds you that while genes load the gun, lifestyle pulls or spares the trigger. By focusing on movement, nutrition, rest, stress, and connection, you have the tools to protect and even enhance your brain health.

If this conversation sparks a change you’re ready to make, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

Then tell us: Which pillar will you start with this week?

Resources & Links

• About Dr. David Merrill 
• About Pacific Neuroscience Institute
• About Collaborative Natural Health Partners

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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Memory loss isn’t always a one-way street. In fact, it can be the first sign your brain is asking for help.

In this episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman sit down with Dr. Heather Sandison, naturopathic physician, researcher, and founder of memory care residential community, Marama, to chart a new path through brain fog, mild cognitive impairment, and early Alzheimer’s. Rather than chasing symptoms, Dr. Sandison focuses on six root causes of cognitive decline: toxins, nutrients, stressors, structure, signaling, and infections. The result is a personalized, humane, and data-driven approach that’s helping patients regain memory, joy, and identity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How multi-modal, lifestyle-based programs are producing measurable cognitive gains within months.
• The six root drivers of brain decline and how to start addressing them at home.
• What the Bredesen approach reveals about neuroplasticity and brain repair.
• How focusing on everyday lifestyle changes can improve brain volume and function.
• Practical testing strategies for toxins, infections, hormones, glucose, and circulation.
• How caregivers can protect their own health and energy on this journey.

If you’ve ever been told “there’s nothing to be done,” this conversation offers a hopeful, evidence-based alternative - one built on community, daily habits, and the body’s capacity to heal.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Dr. Heather Sandison: https://www.drheathersandison.com 
• Explore Marama: https://www.maramaexperience.com
• Listen to Dr. Sandison’s podcast Think Well, Age Well https://www.drheathersandison.com/thinkwell-agewell
• Explore more from Your Health Toolkit: https://www.ctnaturalhealth.com/podcasts

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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Your heart and brain are in constant conversation, and when that connection falters, everything from memory to mood to energy pays the price.

In this episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman sit down with cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey Thompson and physician assistant Shawn Brady to explore how your heart and brain work in sync, and what happens when that balance is lost.

They unpack how blood flow, inflammation, and autonomic control shape your memory, mood, and energy—and why “normal” checkups can overlook early warning signs.

You’ll learn:

• How the autonomic nervous system connects heart rhythm and brain clarity.
• Why fatigue, brain fog, and poor sleep can signal cardiovascular imbalance.
• What sleep apnea and microvascular dysfunction reveal about hidden stress on the brain and heart.
• The early role of endothelial health and oxygen delivery in long-term resilience.
• Key labs and tests that catch issues before they become crises.
• The daily habits—nutrition, movement, and stress recovery—that protect both systems.

If you’ve ever been told your heart looks “fine” but you still feel worn down, this conversation is your next step toward understanding why and what you can do about it.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey Thompsen and Shawn Brady, PA-C, from Center for the Healthy Heart
• Explore articles and resources from Collaborative Natural Health Partners

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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What if the key to reversing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or protecting your brain from fatigue, pain, and fog, was sitting right on your plate?

In this inspiring episode of Your Health Toolkit: The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman sit down with Dr. Terry Wahls, clinical professor, researcher, and author of The Wahls Protocol. Dr. Wahls shares her remarkable journey of going from a tilt-recline wheelchair with progressive MS to riding her bike again, all through the power of nutrition, lifestyle changes, and functional medicine.

Together, we explore:

• Dr. Wahls’ personal story of resilience and recovery
• Why mitochondria, the “powerhouse” of your cells, matter so much for brain and nervous system health
• How to feed and protect your mitochondria with food, nutrients, and lifestyle shifts
• The role of symptoms as biosensors, signals your body gives you when something’s off
• Practical steps anyone can take to strengthen brain health, reduce fatigue, and move toward healing
• The core principles of The Wahls Protocol and why they’re helping thousands worldwide

This episode is both deeply moving and highly practical. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, caring for a loved one, or simply wanting to feel your best, Dr. Wahls’ story is proof that change is possible — and that food and lifestyle are powerful medicine.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about The Wahls Protocol: https://terrywahls.com
• Explore articles and resources from Collaborative Natural Health Partners: https://ctnaturalhealth.com

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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When most people think of naturopathic medicine, the brain isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Digestion? Sure. Hormones? Definitely. But your brain and nervous system are at the very center of it all—and without their optimal function, nothing else works the way it should.

In this opening episode of The Neurology Sessions, Dr. Lauren Young and Dr. Ashley Burkman set the stage for the series by exploring why brain health is foundational to whole-person wellness. They share personal stories that highlight how neurological challenges—whether multiple sclerosis, anxiety, sleep struggles, or brain fog—impact not just patients, but families and caregivers too.

You’ll learn:

• What neurology actually encompasses (hint: it’s way more than memory and thinking).
• Early signs that something might be “off” neurologically, from subtle mood changes to handwriting shifts.
• Why naturopathic medicine looks beyond symptoms to address root causes like inflammation, nutrient imbalances, gut dysfunction, and chronic stress.
• Practical, everyday steps—sleep, movement, nutrition, stress management—that anyone can start today to support better brain function.
• How genetics shape risk but don’t dictate your destiny, and where lifestyle choices make all the difference.

This series will take you deeper into memory, mood, movement disorders, and cutting-edge integrative approaches. But first, join Dr. Young and Dr. Burkman as they explain why the conversation around brain health matters now more than ever.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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A lot of us have heard of fasting. It’s an ancient practice that dates back to the 15th century as a way to alleviate symptoms from certain types of illnesses. Over thousands of years fasting has been used by different cultures and through religious practices to maintain not only physical health but mental health as well. 

I will often speak to my patients about fasting and I’ll admit that I get a bit of push back. Luckily there are ways to access a lot of the benefits of food abstention without having to actually fast. It’s a practice that’s called fast mimicking and today we will be talking about why it’s so helpful and accessible, plus how to do it and why you should.

Our guest today is  Dr. Tonya Pasternak, a Naturopathic Physician who is passionate about finding the root cause of disease. She values taking time to create customized treatment plans for each patient, utilizing a blend of nutrition, botanical medicine, and craniosacral therapy. In addition to treating conditions related to the immune, endocrine, and digestive systems, Dr. Pasternak is really passionate about fasting and fast mimicking diets.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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Let’s face it. Men are pretty good at taking care of their physical health when they are younger. But as age, time, and priorities start to shift, their overall wellness can take a back seat. 

As naturopathic physicians, so many of our first-time male patients come to us through their wives who tend to be a bit more proactive in managing their health. So that’s what we are going to focus on today with a special guest host Dr. Anthony Pascucci.  Joining him is a fantastic panel of male physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners. 

Meet our guests:

Dr. Craig Fasullo is a Naturopathic Physician with a focus on men’s health and cardiovascular health as well as bodywork and osteopathic manipulation. 

Dr. Brad Brooks is an Osteopathic Physician who utilizes alternative therapies such as regenerative medicine with platelet-rich plasma and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in his practice.

Dr. Nick Edgerton is a Naturopathic Physician who is focused on botanical medicine and has studied the benefits of herbal remedies around the world. 

Andrew Lauzier is our resident APRN and a Family Nurse Practitioner who cares for patients from the newborn stage and he is extremely passionate about men’s health. 

Our guest host is Dr. Anthony Pascucci, a Naturopathic Physician who looks closely at the mind/body connection with his patients, imploring techniques such as breathwork and stress management to help people address their overall health goals. 

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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According to the CDC, about 695,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year, which is about one in every five deaths total. 

If that doesn’t concern you, think about this. One person in this country dies from heart disease every 33 seconds.

And if you don’t think you need to worry because you don’t have high blood pressure or there is no history of heart problems in your family, think again. Half of all Americans (47%) have at least one of three key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

So let’s talk about heart health with two amazing experts.

Dr. Craig Fasullo is a Naturopathic Physician who addresses a broad range of conditions, including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal pain, endocrine/hormone imbalance, and men’s health. He is a huge advocate for hands-on physical medicine, incorporating years of training in diverse modalities to treat both acute and chronic pain conditions, improving quality of life without resorting to drugs or surgery.
 
 Dr. Ashley Burkman is a Naturopathic Physician who sees a variety of conditions, with particular interest in heart health, hormonal health, autoimmunity, nutritional medicine, and neurological conditions. She resonates with those who have chronic illnesses where often the goal is not cure, but to optimize health where they are at.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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Today we are talking about poop, which might seem a little odd but there is a very good reason for it. Last year, the American Gastroenterological Association released new data showing that nearly 40% of Americans have stopped routine activities in the last year due to uncomfortable bowel symptoms, including exercising, running errands, and seeing family and friends. Even though discomfort disrupts their day, people still don’t want to talk about it with one in three people reporting that they would only discuss their bowel symptoms if their doctor brought it up first.

As doctors, poop truly is a window into your overall health and even though it sounds strange, we really want to hear about it. So let’s break the ice today with two excellent experts who are going to help me explain the issues, break down some solutions, and bust a few myths.

Dr. Megan Fortin is a Naturopathic Physician with Collaborative Natural Health Partners who specializes in treating autoimmune, endocrine, and digestive conditions, including IBS and SIBO. She is super passionate about individualized care and works to treat the whole person while utilizing clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and lifestyle counseling. 

Dr. Carolina Gonzalez is also a Naturopathic Physician who focuses on digestive disorders such as SIBO, IBS, candida overgrowth, and the microbiome and she focuses on a holistic approach targeting the gut-brain connection and the importance of understanding its bidirectional impact. 

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show. 

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If you follow naturopathic health, you’ll know that food is medicine and there is actually some merit to the old saying “you are what you eat”. From Chinese medicine to Ayurveda in India, the significance of maintaining good health through food is something we’ve practiced for thousands of years. But even as science continues to uncover the amazing ways that nutrients influence our bodies and minds, it can be hard to decipher good and bad, healthy or fad, and what we should be eating consistently to fuel our bodies for a long and healthy life.

So that’s what we are going to be talking about today. What do we as doctors stock in our fridge, recommend to our patients, and double down on when we start to feel sick?

Dr. Nick Edgerton is a Naturopathic Physician and licensed acupuncturist who has a fantastic background in botanical medicine, from wildcrafting in Jamaica to his own backyard to nutrigenomics where he studies how nutrients and herbs impact gene expression.

Dr. Mary Tracey is a Naturopathic Physician whose areas of focus include women’s health, pain management, and chronic disease intervention. She is passionate about the inner workings of the human body and utilizes methods that promote long-term states of health and wellness for her patients. 

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast created by the physicians from Collaborative Natural Health Partners (CNHP) – your go-to hub for holistic and integrated family healthcare in Connecticut and New York. At CNHP, we’ve crafted a special blend of expertise, bringing together naturopathic physicians (NPs), osteopathic medicine physicians (DOs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to offer you a warm, integrative, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.  If you’re interested in learning more, head over to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for information, articles, and resources to take the guesswork out of your health.

Your Health Toolkit is a podcast presented for general information and educational purposes only. The discussions presented by Dr. Lauren Young and the show’s guests should not be considered medical advice but rather a conversation starter with your doctor. Everyone’s body is unique, and we recommend having a discussion with your personal healthcare team before trying anything discussed on the show.