We explain our North to South inventory approach that assesses the entire digestive system and helps connect the dots between seemingly unrelated health issues. This systematic method examines everything from chewing habits to stool quality, revealing how digestive function impacts overall health.

• Chewing food thoroughly activates the vagus nerve, helping shift from stress response to rest-digest mode
• Drinking liquids with meals often indicates insufficient chewing and compromises digestion
• Oral health directly connects to cardiovascular health through shared inflammatory pathways
• Upper respiratory issues often signal biofilm problems or mold exposure affecting gut function
• Bloating isn't normal but indicates bacterial translocation through the ileocecal valve
• The smell and appearance of gas and stool provide specific diagnostic information
• Constipation allows recirculation of hormones and toxins, affecting whole-body health
• Non-digestive symptoms like migraines, anxiety, and fatigue often stem from gut imbalances

Chew your food, be present during meals, avoid liquids during mealtimes, and remember that bloating is not normal.

Thanks for tuning in to Facilitated! If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe because, let's be honest, you'll forget otherwise. And if you really loved it, please leave us a review. Not only does it make Mitchell feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also helps more people find functional medicine without falling into a Google rabbit hole.

Want to take the next step with functional medicine? Learn more about our new patient process and lab testing at www.thefacilitydenver.com

For more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram @thefacilitydenver

Stay curious, stay proactive, and we’ll catch you next time!

Dr. Mitchell Rasmussen and Kate Daugherty explore the importance of comprehensive lab testing for preventing chronic disease and detecting health issues before they manifest as symptoms. We'll double down on why an annual metabolic check-up matters and how to interpret results beyond standard "normal" ranges that might be misleading patients about their true health status.

• Core lab tests should include comprehensive lipid panels with lipoprotein markers
• Enzyme testing reveals more than just liver health—it can indicate nutrient deficiencies or tissue breakdown
• The "four horsemen" of chronic disease: cancer, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction
• Your body breaks down internally long before external symptoms appear
• Stress dramatically impacts blood sugar regulation, described as "the syrup on the pancake of life"
• Finding patterns between seemingly unrelated markers gives deeper health insights
• Standard "normal" ranges are based on increasingly unhealthy populations rather than optimal health
• Patient advocacy is crucial—don't accept being told everything is normal when you still feel unwell

Find a healthcare provider who doesn't gatekeep your health information and knows how to interpret labs comprehensively, connecting all the pieces with your history, complaints, and lifestyle to craft thoughtful answers.

Thanks for tuning in to Facilitated! If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe because, let's be honest, you'll forget otherwise. And if you really loved it, please leave us a review. Not only does it make Mitchell feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also helps more people find functional medicine without falling into a Google rabbit hole.

Want to take the next step with functional medicine? Learn more about our new patient process and lab testing at www.thefacilitydenver.com

For more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram @thefacilitydenver

Stay curious, stay proactive, and we’ll catch you next time!

We bring real stories, strategies, and science from functional medicine to help you understand how lab testing and interpretation can transform your approach to health.

In this episode:

• Getting proper lab tests and understanding what they mean gives you power to take control of your health
• Functional medicine uses conventional labs but with different optimal ranges than standard medicine
• Establishing your baseline when feeling well creates a personal health dashboard to track changes
• Insurance-billed lab tests can cost 50-100 times more than direct cash pay options
• The four pillars we use for clinical decisions: patient history, presenting symptoms, lab results, and response to interventions
• Functional ranges (like insulin 3-6) are much tighter than standard ranges (insulin 2-24)
• Direct access testing is now available without doctor gatekeeping
• You deserve access to your health data without waiting for problems to become severe

Thanks for tuning in to Facilitated! If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe because, let's be honest, you'll forget otherwise. And if you really loved it, please leave us a review. Not only does it make Mitchell feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also helps more people find functional medicine without falling into a Google rabbit hole.

Want to take the next step with functional medicine? Learn more about our new patient process and lab testing at www.thefacilitydenver.com

For more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram @thefacilitydenver

Stay curious, stay proactive, and we’ll catch you next time!

We break down the science of coffee brewing and consumption, exploring brewing techniques, bean quality, and health considerations while debunking common myths.

• Water quality forms the foundation of good coffee with filtered or spring water delivering superior flavor and health benefits
• Brewing methods significantly impact both taste and health effects – French press raises LDL cholesterol while pour-over removes problematic compounds
• Temperature precision (195-205°F) optimizes extraction while minimizing bitter notes and harmful byproducts
• Bean sourcing matters with conventional coffee containing high pesticide residues and potential mycotoxin contamination
• Organic certification provides assurance but is prohibitively expensive for many small producers who may still use organic methods
• Roasting temperature creates a "sweet spot" where antioxidants are maximized while harmful compounds are minimized
• Caffeine metabolism varies genetically with some people processing it quickly while others experience prolonged effects
• Following "coffee rules" (waiting 45+ minutes after waking, hydrating first, eating something) transforms coffee from a crutch to a performance enhancer

Our challenge for you: delay your coffee by an hour from when you normally drink it, see how you feel, and evaluate your brew methods and bean sourcing.

NOTES + PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED -- thefacilitydenver.com

Thanks for tuning in to Facilitated! If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe because, let's be honest, you'll forget otherwise. And if you really loved it, please leave us a review. Not only does it make Mitchell feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also helps more people find functional medicine without falling into a Google rabbit hole.

Want to take the next step with functional medicine? Learn more about our new patient process and lab testing at www.thefacilitydenver.com

For more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram @thefacilitydenver

Stay curious, stay proactive, and we’ll catch you next time!

We tackle the often-overlooked topic of daily chemical exposures and their significant impact on our health journey. We explore practical strategies for reducing toxin load from personal care products, home cleaning supplies, water quality, food storage, and air purification.

• What touches your skin enters your bloodstream within 30 seconds
• Personal care products should be replaced gradually with cleaner alternatives using EWG's Skin Deep database
• Home water filtration matters significantly with options ranging from countertop filters to shower filters
• Glass food storage containers should replace plastic immediately to reduce microplastic contamination
• Coffee preparation methods matter – French press and pour-over have fewer chemical exposures than single-use pods
• Air purifiers with HEPA filtration make a substantial difference in indoor air quality
• The "total load" concept explains why reducing obvious chemical exposures is important
• Organic produce matters most for the "dirty dozen" fruits and vegetables with highest pesticide residues
• Small, consistent improvements to reduce chemical exposures add up to significant health benefits

Lead In Stanley/Yeti Stainless Steel Bottles? - not a concern, it doesn't come in contact with the liquid/food.. it's a seal between layers. 

SMASH Fish? Sardines, Mackerel, Anchovies, Salmon, Herring 

Thanks for tuning in to Facilitated! If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe because, let's be honest, you'll forget otherwise. And if you really loved it, please leave us a review. Not only does it make Mitchell feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also helps more people find functional medicine without falling into a Google rabbit hole.

Want to take the next step with functional medicine? Learn more about our new patient process and lab testing at www.thefacilitydenver.com

For more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram @thefacilitydenver

Stay curious, stay proactive, and we’ll catch you next time!

Dr. Mitchell and Kate discuss the critical difference between healthy immune reactions and chronic inflammation, explaining why many patients struggle with being both "infected and inflamed" simultaneously.

• The ideal immune response creates a targeted "blowtorch" of inflammation toward threats before returning to homeostasis
• Most people in Western societies live with a chronically elevated baseline of systemic inflammation
• This elevated inflammation makes it harder to effectively fight new infections
• Diet represents one of the biggest leverage points for addressing chronic inflammation
• Gluten and dairy are common inflammatory triggers removed during initial treatment
• Food sensitivity tests provide limited value compared to structured elimination diets
• Patients sometimes develop new food sensitivities after healing, indicating improved immune efficiency
• Anti-inflammatory supplements must be used strategically, not indiscriminately
• Treating chronic conditions requires respecting an "order of operations" rather than attacking all inflammation
• Focusing on promoting immune balance is more effective than simply suppressing inflammation

Thanks for tuning in to Facilitated! If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe because, let's be honest, you'll forget otherwise. And if you really loved it, please leave us a review. Not only does it make Mitchell feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it also helps more people find functional medicine without falling into a Google rabbit hole.

Want to take the next step with functional medicine? Learn more about our new patient process and lab testing at www.thefacilitydenver.com

For more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram @thefacilitydenver

Stay curious, stay proactive, and we’ll catch you next time!