In this episode I discuss:

• The pros and cons of wearable biometric tracking devices
• What heart rate variability (HRV) is, and what a “good” HRV is
• Why I love the Oura Ring as an HRV tracker
• An overview of the sleep, readiness, and activity scores the Oura Ring provides

Heartmath Inner Balance: https://store.heartmath.com/innerbalance

Link to order an Oura Ring at 10% off: https://ouraring.com/raf/222f6fb737?utm_medium=iac_raf

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• Wendy’s story of gut issues, brain symptoms, chronic fatigue, and addiction struggles and why she sees this as all connected to nutrition, lifestyle and nervous system dysregulation.
• Why the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition approach is so powerful at helping clients reach their health goals.
• Why the DIY approach to fixing your health issues actually costs you more time and money, compared to hiring the right practitioner to help.
• The role childhood trauma, ACES, and attachment issues plays in physical health issues.
• Mental health can be improved through improving nutrition and removing food triggers.
• Most processed foods have additives that make them very addictive, along with promoting inflammation in the gut and brain.
• Why simple habit changes one-by-one and walking can be so helpful in supporting mental health
• Why toxin avoidance is imperative for physical health and mental health
• You can know what to do with your diet, but that knowledge is worthless if you don’t know how to apply it to reach your health goals
• Wheat sensitivity is linked with more than just gut symptoms, and the majority of people with wheat sensitivities don’t have gut symptoms

(Extended ACES Questionnaire) 7 Steps to Healing Childhood Emotional Trauma and Building Resilience by Niki Gratix

Wendy’s contact info:

www.wendyjoyrosen.com

Instagram handle: @wendyjoyrosen

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

- (2:00) why toxic mold exposure is related to IBS and autoimmune disorders, and why mold is dangerous to your health

- (5:00) why if you react poorly to most antibiotics, you could be either mold sensitive or mold toxic 

- (8:00) why recovering from toxic mold exposure can be more emotionally challenging than other illnesses

- (10:45) how toxic mold exposure affects your health, and the genetic component to mold illness

- (13:30) how toxic mold exposure confuses the the immune system, leading to mold illness in a genetically susceptible person

- (18:30) common symptoms associated with mold toxicity 

- (21:30) the food sensitivity and leaky gut and mold connection 

Dr. Ritchie Shoemakers website: www.survivingmold.com

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (3:30) example of what a GI Map stool test might show for someone struggling with nausea, alternating bowel movements and severe brain fog

• (6:00) clues on the GI Map that might suggest a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth situation

• (10:00) how the GI Map can give insight into level of complexity and a gut healing timeline

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (2:20) why aspects like self worth, self trust, and quality of relationships impact on physical health outcomes 
• (10:00) forgiveness, and processing stored anger and resentment may be a necessary part of the healing journey and often goes hand in hand with liver congestion 
• (16:15) why you need to adequately prepared, both psychologically and physically, to do an intense cleanse, like a liver cleanse and why following trendy diets like a ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting could be problematic 
• (22:00) was it intermittent fasting that worked or the boundary it created that led to weight loss?
• (25:30) why it’s so hard as a lay person to know which functional medicine philosophy or practitioner to follow
• (31:00) most people are having lingering symptoms because they are not doing the foundations of health well enough and consistently enough
• (37:00) healthy food choices and lifestyles choices have to be a conscious, reaffirming decision to work in the long haul

Kelsey’s website: theholistichealthlab.com

Kelsey’s IG handle: @healthwithkelsey

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (4:10) the link between client case complexity and toxic burden, and why physical toxins always coexist with mental/emotional toxicities. 
• (13:10) should every person with a chronic health struggle test for toxins?
• (19:30) how common is toxic mold burden and Lyme confections when it comes to gut health struggles?
• (22:13) how not addressing a toxic burden or biotoxin illness hinders the healing process.
• (31:00) why diet can’t just be “a diet” and instead, needs to be a conscious choice to maintain good health.

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (3:30) Kelsey’s experience with clients struggling with weight loss, despite applying nutritional principles that normally work.
• (6:30) Why weight loss only happens when the body as a whole gets healthier.
• (7:55) How poor digestion, under-eating, and hidden gut infections play a role in trouble losing weight.
• (10:30) The role of the thyroid in weight loss and gut function.
• (16:00) The myth that metabolism is static.
• (19:30) How nutrient absorption plays a role in weight gain and weight loss
• (23:00) The role of the HPA axis and the chronic stress response in weight loss

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:50) Why it’s so important to understand all of the facets needed in a truly functional approach to achieve your health goals
• (3:50) The three pieces of bad advice prospective clients are given that cause them to fall short in selecting the right practitioner or program. Number one: following a one-size-fits-all diet or box solution.
• (8:55) Bad piece of advice number two: investing a couple thousand dollars in functional testing as a pre-requisite and/or working with practitioners who only “treat the paper.”
• (16:23) Bad piece of advice number three: choosing a low priced automated program to resolve your symptoms that does not include one-on-one practitioner support and guidance.

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:30) Why making mistakes is part of the process all great practitioners go through, and why this is so important
• (2:30) The four mistakes I made early on in my career that ultimately led me to greater growth as a practitioner - mistake #1: not using functional testing
• (8:22) The four mistakes I made early on in my career that ultimately led me to greater growth as a practitioner - mistake #2: not creating a library of educational and step-by-step resources to support my clients
• (14:03) The four mistakes I made early on in my career that ultimately led me to greater growth as a practitioner - mistake #3: not asking my clients to commit to at least 3 months of work together
• (17:45) The four mistakes I made early on in my career that ultimately led me to greater growth as a practitioner - mistake #4: not having skills to offer my clients dealing with stress and trauma

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:45) Why a high quality functional stool test is a non-negotiable for the clients I work with who struggle with IBS and IBD symptoms
• (4:30) The limits of functional stool testing
• (6:10) The strengths of functional stool testing and why it is important to correlate the data to client symptoms and to other functional testing
• (10:40) Insufficiency dysbiosis versus inflammatory dysbiosis
• (13:35) A good functional stool test will give clues on digestive function
• (15:00) The inflammatory markers on functional stool testing and what they can tell us about root causes
• (18:03) Why I always run a functional stool test before I recommend stomach acid to a client
• (20:20) Why it’s not a good idea to only run one functional test
• (22:20) Two client case examples where running a functional stool test connected the dots on missing information we needed to make progress

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:09) Why a plant based diet is not a great approach for people struggling with gut symptoms
• (2:15) What defines a plant based diet
• (3:22) How stress impacts the ability to digest plant based foods
• (4:30) The properties that make plants difficult to digest
• (7:15) How different elimination diets designed to help IBS eliminate or reduce certain plant based foods
• (10:35) Why robust upper GI function is crucial for proper digestion of plant based foods
• (15:26) How the high fiber content of a plant based diet can aggravate IBS and IBD symptoms
• (18:45) Why the anti-nutrient component of plants can play a role in aggravating gut symptoms
• -(26:05) Epidemiological studies are not enough to prove that a plant based diet is “healthier”
• (29:00) Why it’s important to consider whether or not the practitioner you choose to work with has personally experienced chronic gut symptoms and has personally test driven various diets.

Link to register for my Seven Part Video Series and Gut Jumpstart Bundle

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:09) Why acid reflux is one of the most common issues I see in my clients with gut disorders
• (2:35) How conventional medicine treats acid reflux
• (5:00) The health issues that can result from the long term use of acid blocking meds
• (8:20) Why the health of all organs of the digestive system depend on the health of the stomach
• (10:35) How functional medicine approaches the issue of acid reflux
• (13:40) Why underproduction of acid is at play with acid reflux most of the time
• (19:00) Why H Pylori overgrowth is often playing a role in acid reflux and why conventional tests don’t always catch this

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• My original career paths as engineer and government worker and how those led me to become a holistic nutritionist

• How studying Chinese medicine and becoming a bodyworker helped me as a nutritionist

• My path to becoming first a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner and then a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner

• The deeper education I got in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, mold toxicity, organic acids, and other areas

• The criteria you should consider if you are hiring a nutrition or functional medicine practitioner to help you

• Why you need to take muscle testing and biofeedback machine use with a grain of salt

Link to the Nutrition Therapy Association

Link to Functional Diagnostic Nutrition

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:15) Why habits that support the nervous system also support digestion
• (2:25) Why certain breathing exercises support digestion and a breathing exercise demo
• (4:45) My free Mindful Breathing Guide to optimize digestion
• (5:35) Why a gratitude practice helps support digestion
• (8:30) Sitting on the floor when you eat can make a difference in your digestive health
• (12:05) Why your eating environment matters 
• (14:35) How you chew impacts how well you digest
• (16:55) Be careful about how much water you drink with a meal

Link to my free Mindful Breathing Guide

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:05) Overview of the difference between conventional lab testing and functional lab testing
• (2:00) Why conventional testing really only benefits insurance and pharmaceutical companies and not the health consumer in terms of getting to the root cause
• (5:00) Why a doctor may not be the best option to help you identify root cause factors driving your symptoms
• (9:45) Example of a functional thyroid test and why it’s important to look at a number of markers to really understand thyroid function
• (18:05) Example of a functional stool test side by side with a conventional stool test and the major differences
• (25:30) Why it’s important to be your own health advocate and understand the tests your doctor (or any other practitioner) runs for you

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:46) Why running just a food sensitivity test is not likely to solve IBS or IBD symptoms
• (2:40) There are always deeper root cause issues driving gut symptoms that food sensitivity tests won’t identify
• (4:00) Why keeping a food journal is a powerful tool 
• (5:50) The limitations of food sensitivity testing
• (8:00) My personal experience with food sensitivity testing
• (10:10) The endless cycle of food sensitivity testing
• (13:16) Why clients with IBS and IBD would generally do best avoiding certain foods forever
• (18:18) Why I feel there should be an endpoint to troubleshooting food sensitivities

Link to my website

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen

In this episode I discuss:

• (2:20) Is there something more serious underlying my IBS symptoms?
• (3:40) Once you rule out more serious conditions, how to determine significant factors underlying IBS symptoms 
• (5:30) The possible root cause factors underlying IBS from a functional perspective 
• (7:45) Why cellular energy deficiencies and hidden gut infections play a role in IBS
• (10:50) The connection between hormones and gut function
• (14:45) Which factors (that doctors don’t test for) could lead to more serious conditions
• (16:00) My free e-guide designed to help people tame their IBS and IBD symptoms 

Link to my website

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen

In this episode I discuss:

• (0:45 sec) the concept that IBS and IBD are on the same spectrum of disease
• (4:28) IBS and IBD as distinct conditions and also what they have in common
• (6:25) definition of inflammation
• (9:13) the relationship between inflammation and a dysregulated immune system
• (10:55) how immune dysregulation plays out in IBS and IBD
• (12:15) why conventional medicine approaches aren’t helpful at identifying root causes of IBS and IBD
• (13:25) the common characteristics of idiopathic conditions like IBS, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue and how these compare to autoimmune conditions like M.S. and IBD
• (15:25) functional medicine views the body as breaking down as one system versus as just one part

Link to my website

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen

In this episode I discuss:

- general themes of this podcast: nutrition, lifestyle, mind-body connection, and root cause factors all affecting IBS and IBD symptoms

- the "why" behind this podcast

- how many people are affected by IBS and IBD and why this population can be challenging to work with from a functional perspective

- the disconnect that exists in conventional medicine between linking diet to IBS/IBD symptoms

- my experience as an IBS and IBD patient

- my personal and professional experience using diet change to support gut symptom reduction

Link to my website

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (2:15) what is fiber and what does it do in the gut?

• (3:15) why increasing fiber to help you poop is not always true

• (6:30) which foods are considered high fiber and how the work of Weston A Price debunks the “fiber is necessary for good gut health” myth

• (12:15) the role of short chain fatty acids in supporting colon health

• (17:45) examples of research done showing a low fiber diet can resolve constipation and diarrhea symptoms

Weston A Price’s book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration

Peak Human Podcast Part 84 Dr. Paul Mason on Fiber Myths, Gluten, Lechtins etc. (the discussion on fiber starts at the 1:01:00 mark)

Paul Saladino MD on why we don't need fiber

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode we discuss:

• (2:00) why DIY restrictive diets rarely work in the  long term and don’t ultimately address root cause factors

• (5:00) why repeat food sensitivity testing is not the solution to gut issues

• (9:00) the problem with running too many tests, or the wrong tests

• (12:30) why it might not be possible to regain tolerance to every single food, even though the goal is to increase the number of foods a client can tolerate as much as possible 

• (16:30) the real limitations with trying to fix your health issues on your own

• (21:00) the biggest limitations with taking a “fix it fast” approach to your health issues

• (23:30) why not investing in a holistic health expert to help you reach your goals actually costs you more money and more time wasted over the long haul

• (25:30) the shortcomings with muscle testing and biofeedback machines

• (32:00) why women are not encouraged to ask questions, which can make it hard to feel empowered in a conventional medical setting 

Spotify link to Episode 4: Why you can’t fix IBS with food sensitivity testing alone

Find Abby at https://balancedhormonesvip.com/ 

Join her FB group for women: Balanced Hormones, Empowered Women 

Access her free PDF resource: Why Your Diet & Exercise Plan Isn't Working & What to do Instead https://balancedhormonesvip.com/free-resource/

Join her women's membership: Balanced Hormones, Empowered Women VIP

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode we discuss:

- (2:30) Abby’s health story, which started in childhood as chronic gut issues and later, along with long term birth control pill use, led to major hormone imbalances and systemic symptoms

- (12:00) Why, even though post menopausal women are cautioned on taking hormone replacement therapy, pre-menopausal women are doled out hormone replacement therapy like candy in the form of birth control pills

- (21:45) The interplay of hormones throughout the average 28 day menstrual cycle and why women should adapt their eating and exercise regimen around their cycle

Find Abby at https://balancedhormonesvip.com/ 

Join her FB group for women: Balanced Hormones, Empowered Women 

Access her free PDF resource: Why Your Diet & Exercise Plan Isn't Working & What to do Instead https://balancedhormonesvip.com/free-resource/

Join her women's membership: Balanced Hormones, Empowered Women VIP

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:45) why toxic mold exposure causes different symptoms in different people and hits certain people harder than others

• (5:30) why the body’s detoxification pathways need to be working properly to recover from mold illness and how to support these pathways

• (8:35) why you often need to go low and slow with supporting mold detoxification and why mold sick people often can’t tolerate herbal or antibiotics treatments well

• (12:45) why mold sick people often end up with some level of trauma or PTSD just from navigating mold illness

• (14:00) precautions you can take to prevent mold from hitchhiking into your home from other moldy buildings

• (18:00) how you can mitigate mold exposure in hotels if you travel

• (23:00) why you shouldn’t transfer any soft, porous items and furnishing from your moldy home to a new, clean home

Patty Picinich’s Instagram handle @pattypicinichwellness and website and email: pattypicinichwellness.com

pattypicinich@gmail.com

Cellcore products

Microbalance Health Products (EC3 laundry solution and foggers)

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (2:30) Patty’s mold exposure story and what she did wrong when she found mold in her home

• (4:22) why doctors often miss mold toxic patients, how to test for mold toxicity, and why you need to be your own health detective

• (6:50) why heating the gut is so important if you struggle with mold toxicity

• (10:30) how home testing for hidden mold has evolved over the last 15 years and why it’s so important to work with a good indoor environmental professional to assess your home

• (15:00) why it’s important to run either an ERMI or HERTSMI2 test on your home and work spaces

• (18:00) the difference between air sampling and dust sampling for mold

• (21:00) why you can still be sick from toxic mold after you move out of your moldy home

• (24:00) why chronic yeast infections might be a sign that you’re mold toxic

• (26:40) why it can be hard to properly remediate a water damaged home, and what you can do if you can’t fully remediate

Patty Picinich’s Instagram handle @pattypicinichwellness and website: www.pattypicinichwellness.com

Dr. Ritchie Shoemakers website: www.survivingmold.com

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

In this episode I discuss:

• (1:00) why candida overgrowth is so common in mold sick people

• (5:45) candida overgrowth can come from antibiotic overuse, especially if a probiotic was not recommended

• (6:40) mold and candida are similar microorganisms and love to hang out together in the body

• (7:35) mold sick people often do not tolerate fermented, yeasty, and moldy foods well

• (8:45) candida overgrowth is held in check by good bacterial balance in the gut

• (11:00) the foods that feed candida

Dr. Ritchie Shoemakers website: www.survivingmold.com

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode I discuss:

• (3:00) why histamine overproduction is common with mold toxicity and the symptoms associated with this

• (4:55) why fermented foods can drive IBS symptoms, especially if there is an underlying toxic mold component

• (6:55) the Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, histamine, mold toxicity connection

• (8:55) signs and symptoms that make me think a client might have toxic mold exposure and which tests to run to confirm mold exposure

• (12:20) the Lyme-mold connection and why it is so common for someone to struggle with both of these at the same time

Dr. Ritchie Shoemakers website: www.survivingmold.com

Link to my website

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.

In this episode we discuss:

• Symptoms of low thyroid
• How the thyroid works (chain of command)
• The difference between conventional and function thyroid testing:
• Important nutrient cofactors for good thyroid function
• Root causes of low thyroid
• The impact of low thyroid on the gut
• Why going wheat-free is so critical if you have a thyroid issue

Find Abby at https://balancedhormonesvip.com/ 

Join her FB group for women: Balanced Hormones, Empowered Women 

Access her free PDF resource: Why Your Diet & Exercise Plan Isn't Working & What to do Instead https://balancedhormonesvip.com/free-resource/

Join her women's membership: Balanced Hormones, Empowered Women VIP

Link to Abby’s podcast episode with Jasmine Fulwood, a gluten-free chef:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6D6lFtpERCVRlp1qbz0Ljj?si=0fNnXWN_SFeaMtXFhdrpBQ

Link to Dr. David Brownstein’s book Iodine, Why You Need It Why You Can’t Live Without It

Link to a free 15 minute Gut Check Call

Link to my free guide

Disclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.