A Functional Approach with Dr. Jim Chialtas – Details, episodes & analysis

In this 84th episode I riff on what it means to be a "warrior." Indeed, you have a warrior inside of you whether you express yourself this way or not.

Taking on the path of a warrior has much less to do with the typical understanding of "warrior" as a violent war-like sociopath, and much more to do with an individual who accepts and understands adversity. A warrior is prepared and willing to do those things which may be contrary to a more comfortable life. But in doing so, the warrior overcomes obstacles in their life, and helps those around him or her to be the best that they can be.

Just how might a warrior mindset impact your life? Might there be goals that have been waiting for you to accomplish? Might you need to change your diet or lifestyle so that you can finally tackle that healthcare situation you find yourself in? Might someone in your life need help, or an advocate for their own journey?

The warrior spirit is there in honor for these circumstances, and more...

In this 83rd episode I discuss concepts relating to sleep. We will cover common symptoms of sleep deprivation, the 5 stages of sleep, some tips on how to improve sleep quality, and will riff a bit on some things people may be doing for sleep which may or may not be in their best interest.

We will consider how long caffeine tends to stay in the body, how alcohol and cannabis may impact sleep, and how blue light exposure can be a poor sleeper's worst enemy.

In this 74th episode, as I continue to recover from a bout of Covid-19, I ponder some concepts around it is easy to take on the negativity of those around us. As an empathic person, I find this to be a common challenge for me which absolutely challenges my health.

I offer a musical meditation piece called "We are truth" which is something that speaks to me when I feel the need to remember to focus on a more centering perspective, and to let go the things which are working against me.

Let go of those things which are working to bring you down. Most of the time, they are not really your burden to bear...

In this 73rd episode I come to you in recovery from sickness. It started with my daughter, then to my wife, and then on to me. Like it does when living in close quarters.

Today I offer a short update on my health status, a little background on what my family has been experiencing (apparently COVID-19 as of positive tests this morning), a little reminder that it is okay to sit still sometimes and do nothing, and some nutraceutical/supplement advice for immune support as both preventative or therapeutic actions if sick with a virus.

We will discuss Vitamin D, Glutathione, Vitamin C, and other anti-viral support.

Here is a link to a Full Script panel of herbs I created for anyone looking to either boost immune function as a preventative measure, or to really boost immune function when sick with a virus.

Just click the link below, log in to Full Script, and it should bring you right to the list!

https://us.fullscript.com/plans/drjim-anti-viral-support

In this 72nd episode I discuss the aptly-named condition "fatty liver," otherwise known as Steatosis.

Just like any other tissue of the body, the liver can begin to accumulate fatty deposits. This can hinder the function of the liver and even lead to destruction and more significant disease.

In this episode we will cover just what a fatty liver condition involves, how people get there, why it is not something you want, and how to reverse it.

In this 71st episode I discuss several concepts around mold exposure. For sure mold is a hot topic in many circles. But how do you know if it is really a significant concern for you?

We will discuss the benefits and detriments different types of testing for blood and urine, and how a home / office test, can be an important step.

We also discuss some of the more common symptoms of mold exposure, and just how something like this can be a significant "driver" for other medical conditions like autoimmunity.

In this 70th episode I riff on some concepts around love. The inspiration for this episode came from a recent discussion prompt I was given at a "philosophy night" gathering.

How do we work towards keeping ourselves positive in a world that is desperately trying to pull us into a more negative emotional state? Love. Not love that is based upon how much we are getting from someone else. Not love that has conditions. Love that is non-transactional... Just like what our little dog friends have for us. And yes, I do cite my little dog friend Cheddar. How could I not talk about Cheddar when discussing the more evolved aspects of love? He is a true master after all.

Join me as I step outside the world of blood chemistry and work on those deeper layers of wellness that something as fundamental as love can provide.

In this 69th episode we explore some important concepts about the humble laboratory mouse. These little critters come hand in hand with scientific testing and in large part are used to help establish safety profiles for new pharmaceutical drugs. But are they such a good option after all?

In this episode we will discuss concepts about mouse genetics, telomere length, mouse cancer, drug safety, why some medications might not be so safe, and more!

I will also share a link to the 2002 paper published in the scientific journal Experimental Gerontology that this information comes from, as well as a short podcast link to the PhD, Dr. Bret Weinstein who published it. And lastly, I offer one short animated clip on a slightly different take on the little lab mouse.

Mouse Telomoere Article:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0531556502000128?via%3Dihub

Dark Horse Podcast clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXuLNXohXck

The Problem With Lab Mice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvJHq2FJPDM

In this 68th episode I delve back into ancient concepts around immune system function. Wei Qi is our defensive Qi and can be considered the energetic analog to our immune system.

It is always important to remember that immune function is not always just about white blood cells... Looking at it in a more energetic way, and addressing immune function through acupuncture and herbal formulas can be a powerful tool to maintain optimal wellness, and can allow a person to avoid the alternatives of strong prescription medications.

Join me as I take a step away from the typical Functional Medicine focus and get back into my roots of Traditional Chinese medicine!

In this 67th episode I do not discuss one of my favorite heavy metal bands, Black Sabbath, but rather I discuss various concepts around Heavy Metal accumulation in the body and how they are tested. Indeed, there are many opinions about this topic and much of what I say here in this episode are fighting words to say the least.

It is a sad but true thing in the Alternative Medicine field that we tend to have our "specialists" who see what they want to see in just about every person. The Heavy Metal folks are certainly out there and want to blame just about everything under the sun on Heavy Metal accumulation. And guess what? They can find it in just about every person who walks in their door. And boy do they have protocols to sell the clear these things from your system.

Well like most things in life, it is much more complicated than that. Knowing what you are working with is essential which means getting the appropriate testing is where you need to start.

In this episode we will discuss some common heavy metal burdens, how they may present symptomatically, and several different types of testing which may or may not be appropriate. I also finish up with a few tips on what to do if you do have these concerns.