Why Autoimmune Disease Is on the Rise — and How to Reverse It Naturally 🌿

In this episode of Your Lifestyle Is Your Medicine, I sit down with Dr. David Bilstrom, a quadruple board-certified physician in functional, regenerative, and integrative medicine. Together, we uncover the real root causes behind autoimmune disease — and how we can prevent and even reverse them by addressing the immune system, gut health, hormones, and lifestyle.

Dr. Bilstrom shares how immune system disruption connects to conditions like heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and even autism — and why treating the person, not just the symptom is the key to lasting healing.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:
• The difference between the adaptive and innate immune systems
• Why autoimmune disease has become a global epidemic
• The hidden links between inflammation, hormones, and gut health
• The power of acupuncture and integrative therapies
• How to move from symptom suppression to root-cause healing

💡 Dr. Bilstrom is the Director of the International Autoimmune Institute at the Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine, where he’s changing how chronic diseases are treated — and training clinicians to do the same.

👉 If you’re a health practitioner, learn more about his expert training programs at drdavidbilstrom.com/expert-courses

If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow, rate, and share the podcast — and let me know in the comments who you’d love to hear from next!

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Jessica Setnick, a worldwide authority on eating disorders, explains how disordered eating exists on a spectrum that affects everyone, not just those with clinical diagnoses. Her anthropological background provides unique insights into why we make the food choices we do and how our emotional states influence eating patterns.

• Eating disorders exist on a spectrum – anyone who eats can have eating problems
• The key question is whether your eating habits support or detract from your life goals
• "How you're feeling after eating is how you were feeling before" – food often becomes a scapegoat for pre-existing emotions
• Past experiences, family patterns, and cultural messages all shape our relationships with food
• Trauma, including food insecurity, can significantly impact eating behaviors
• Shame about eating habits prevents healing, while regret opens the door to change
• The "apple test" helps distinguish between physical hunger and other emotional needs
• When seeking professional help, personality match is more important than credentials

If you want to watch the entire video, here's the link: https://youtu.be/Pu9elJltqII

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What if one of the most important keys to your energy, mood, and long-term health was hiding in plain sight — your thyroid?

Dr. Brittany Henderson, a board-certified endocrinologist specializing in thyroid health, joins me to unpack the truth about autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, Graves, and Hashitoxicosis — and why conventional medicine often misses the bigger picture.

In this eye-opening conversation, we explore how a whole-body, root-cause approach can restore balance and help you feel like yourself again. Dr. Henderson shares practical strategies to support your thyroid naturally and insights that can improve not just your lifespan, but your healthspan.

Whether you’re navigating a thyroid condition or simply want to optimize your hormonal health, this episode is full of actionable tips and expert advice that can make a real difference in your daily life.

🎧 Discover how taking control of your thyroid can transform your energy, metabolism, and overall well-being.

Click here to Watch the Podcast Video.

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What if the secret to clear, healthy skin isn’t in a medicated cream — but in your gut?

Kerry Jenkins, a functional medicine practitioner with 25 years of dermatology experience, reveals how our internal health — especially gut and liver function — directly impacts what shows up on our skin.

In this powerful episode, we explore the deep connection between chronic skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, and the role of nutrition, hormones, and lifestyle. Kerry shares real stories of patients who found lasting relief by healing from the inside out — not just masking symptoms with prescriptions.

Whether you’re struggling with persistent skin issues or simply curious about how functional medicine works, this conversation will change the way you think about skin health.

🎧 Learn how your skin reflects your inner health — and how simple lifestyle shifts might be the missing piece in your healing journey.

Click here to Watch the Podcast Video.

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Dr. Mohamed Farivar, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist with nearly 50 years of experience, reveals that true Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is extremely rare, with most cases being misdiagnosed digestive issues that have specific, treatable causes.

• True, IBS affects only about 5% of those diagnosed, while the remaining 95% have identifiable, treatable conditions
• Over 40 different conditions can cause IBS-like symptoms, including food intolerances, enzyme deficiencies, and bile salt malabsorption
• Doctors often lack knowledge about proper diagnosis, and the medical system doesn't incentivize physicians to spend time investigating root causes
• FODMAP-rich foods (including many "healthy" vegetables and fruits) can cause digestive discomfort, but shouldn't be completely eliminated
• Bile salt malabsorption is a particularly serious yet commonly missed diagnosis, causing urgent bowel movements and occasional incontinence
• Probiotics are generally unnecessary as we already have trillions of beneficial bacteria in our gut - yogurt and kefir provide better natural alternatives
• Many patients suffer unnecessarily for years before discovering simple solutions through proper diagnosis

For more information, visit Dr. Farivar's website at gerd-ibs.com or his new site isitibsoryourdiet.com, where his book will be available for free.

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Dr. Dylan Petkus shares his revolutionary approach to overcoming sleep apnea naturally through breathing pattern correction, myofunctional exercises, and lifestyle changes. He explains how his personal struggle with sleep apnea led him to develop a science-backed method that addresses the root causes rather than relying on CPAP machines or surgery.

• Sleep apnea affects approximately 10% of the population and can reduce lifespan by 10-25 years
• Contrary to common belief, sleep apnea affects many people who aren't overweight
• Only 30% of people prescribed CPAP machines continue using them long-term
• Sleep apnea often begins with hyperventilation, which creates negative pressure that collapses the airway
• Simple breathing exercises focusing on slow exhalation can significantly improve sleep quality
• The "relaxed pause" breath-holding test can help identify and track improvement in sleep apnea
• Myofunctional exercises (tongue and oral muscle training) comprise about 20% of the solution
• Improving mitochondrial health through nutrition and lifestyle accounts for the remaining 40%
• Mouth taping addresses a symptom rather than the root cause of breathing dysfunction
• Free resources for sleep apnea sufferers are available at apneareset.com

Check out Dr. Petkus' website at apneareset.com for free resources, breathing exercises, and information about his coaching programs.

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Dr. I-Chia Sun's journey from stressed Western doctor to integrated healer reveals profound truths about our bodies, medicine, and healing. Raised by Chinese immigrant parents who steered her away from her original interest in Chinese medicine, Dr. Sun followed the expected path through Western medical training only to emerge feeling disconnected and limited in her ability to truly help patients.

The revelation came after a mountain biking accident left her with an injury that conventional physiotherapy couldn't fix. One acupuncture session that incorporated emotional release immediately improved her hand function—illuminating what was missing from her medical practice. This moment rekindled her forgotten childhood desire to study Chinese medicine and set her on a path of integration that would transform her understanding of healing.

Through her study of acupuncture with Dr. Steven Ong, Dr. Sun began experiencing the energetic dimensions of healing that Western medicine overlooks. She describes how conventional medicine often masks symptoms without addressing root causes, particularly when those causes involve emotional components. The limited time doctors have with patients (often just 10 minutes) forces them to compartmentalize complex issues that are actually interconnected.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Dr. Sun shares her discovery of fascial maneuvers—a practice that works with the body's connective tissues to release not just physical restrictions but stored emotions and trauma. She explains how our fascia holds the physical manifestation of repressed experiences, and how working through these layers can trigger profound emotional releases, memories, and healing.

What makes this approach revolutionary is its emphasis on self-healing. Rather than patients being passive recipients of treatment, they learn techniques to initiate their own healing process. This empowerment represents a fundamental shift in how we approach health—one that honors the body's intelligence and our innate capacity for healing when given the right support.

Ready to explore your own body's wisdom? Email [email protected] to learn how lifestyle medicine can address your specific health concerns and unlock your healing potential.

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Merging ancient practices with modern science, Dr. Susan Russell explores the benefits of psilocybin as a therapeutic aid for mental health disorders, focusing on its potential impact on conditions like depression and body dysmorphic disorder. The episode discusses the intricacies of psilocybin therapy, including its history, current research, efficacy, and the importance of psychotherapy in achieving successful treatment outcomes.

• Exploring psilocybin's historical context and cultural significance 
• Understanding the neuroscience behind psilocybin and its impacts on brain connectivity 
• Personal journey of Dr. Russell into psilocybin research 
• Investigating psilocybin's role in body dysmorphic disorder treatment 
• Caution regarding efficacy and variability of treatment outcomes 
• The necessity of therapy as a component of psilocybin experiences 
• Current regulatory challenges in psilocybin therapy implementation 
• Future research directions and emerging trends in psychedelic therapy

Dr. Susan Rossell is a clinical neuropsychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, recognized internationally for her pioneering research in mental health and neurocognitive disorders. Originally from the UK she is now based in Australia. She serves as a Professorial Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology and was the inaugural Director of its Centre for Mental Health. Her expertise spans schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and anxiety, focusing on both neuroimaging and cognitive mechanisms.

Over her career, she has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and her research has helped bridge the gap between neuroscience and mental health treatment. 

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A conversation with Dr. Matt Kaeberlein unveils the latest insights into aging, focusing on how studying dogs can illuminate human longevity. The discussion emphasizes the significant role of environmental factors in aging and the potential of interventions like rapamycin. 

Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, is a world-renowned scientist and leader in the field of aging biology. He is a professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, with additional roles in Genome Sciences and Oral Health Sciences. Dr. Kaeberlein’s groundbreaking work is dedicated to unraveling the biological mechanisms of aging, paving the way for innovations that enhance healthspan and quality of life—not just for humans but also for our four-legged companions.

Dr. Kaeberlein is the founding director of the University of Washington’s Healthy Aging and Longevity Research Institute and the director of the NIH Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging. Additionally, he leads the Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training Program and co-founded the Dog Aging Project, which explores how we can use scientific insights to improve the health and longevity of dogs and, by extension, humans.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kaeberlein has delved into cutting-edge research on interventions like rapamycin, NAD+ precursors, metformin, spermidine, and many others, driving conversations at the forefront of aging science.

Today we speak about:

• Understanding the role of companion animals in aging research
• The Dog Aging Project's approach to studying environmental influences
• The impact of chronic inflammation on healthspan
• Importance of lifestyle changes for longevity
• Challenges in funding for aging research
• Future possibilities with AI and epigenetic studies in the field
• Dr. Kaeberlein’s personal experience with rapamycin and its implications for aging

If you have enjoyed listening to and learning from this podcast, please leave a comment, and also you can leave a suggestion for a future podcast guest that you would like us to feature. If you are on Apple, you can leave us a comment, a five-star review, if you can pretty.

Please remember, if you want my direct help, send me an email, ed at edpadget.com, or visit my website, edpadgett.com, where you can learn a little bit more about how I can help you make your lifestyle your medicine.

Follow Dr. Kaeberlein
X: https://x.com/mkaeberlein

Website: https://kaeberleinlab.org/  https://www.optispan.life/company

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Unlock the secrets to identifying and managing mold toxicity with insights from Dr. Terry Fox, a leading holistic integrative functional medicine expert. This episode promises to shed light on the often-misdiagnosed symptoms of mold exposure, such as fatigue and neurological issues, and how they intertwine with conditions like Lyme disease. Dr. Fox shares her personal journey, revealing how her son's mysterious health struggles led her to unravel the complexities of mold-related illnesses, offering a roadmap for those facing similar unexplained health challenges.

Explore advanced strategies for addressing mold and fungal colonization in the body, including the lungs and sinuses. Dr. Fox walks us through effective diagnostic approaches, like urinary and DNA dust tests, and explains a comprehensive two-phase detox protocol. For those dealing with severe cases, discover the role of ENT specialists in surgical interventions and learn about the necessary steps to combat concurrent illnesses like Lyme disease. This episode is packed with actionable advice, making it a must-listen for anyone grappling with mold-related health issues.

Gain valuable insights into the mental health implications of mold exposure, particularly its impact on anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments in children. Dr. Fox discusses how environmental factors, such as toxins, exacerbate these issues and offers practical solutions for reducing mold exposure within the home. Learn about the link between mold and conditions like POTS and mast cell activation syndrome, and get tips on dietary adjustments and home remediation techniques. For more resources and educational content, visit Dr. Fox's website at drfoxmedicaldetective.com and boulderholistic.com, where she continues to guide and support those on the path to recovery.

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