Join Dr. Micah Yu, a board-certified integrative rheumatologist, and Dr. Melissa Mondala, an integrative medicine and mental health expert, as they bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and soulful healing.
In Autoimmune Alchemy, this husband-and-wife MD team share personal stories, expert insights, and powerful patient journeys to explore how autoimmune illness and chronic disease can be transformed through integrative medicine.
From evidence-based science and integrative medicine to ancient healing wisdom and mindset practices, this podcast is your guide to whole-person health, from science to soul.
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Mental Health, Depression & Autoimmune Disease: The Vagus Nerve Connection
Episode 3
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 20:10
In this episode, Dr. Micah Yu and Dr. Melissa Mondala discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of autoimmune disease: mental health. With depression and anxiety affecting more than half of all autoimmune patients, the conversation explores the deep connection between the nervous system, trauma, inflammation, and long-term healing.
Key Points:
One in two people with autoimmune disease also has depression or anxiety.
Mental health symptoms often appear years before autoimmune diagnosis.
Emotional trauma, chronic stress, and neuroinflammation can all trigger or worsen autoimmune flares.
The field of psycho-neuro-immunology explains how the brain, nervous system, and immune system interact.
Childhood trauma (ACEs) significantly increases the risk of autoimmune conditions later in life.
Early signs of depression and anxiety include sleep changes, appetite issues, mood swings, perfectionism, joint pain, rashes, and fatigue.
Root Causes of Mental Health + Autoimmune Disease:
Chronic stress and trauma
Hormonal fluctuations (e.g., PMS, menopause)
Neurotransmitter imbalances
Gut and microbiome dysfunction
Environmental toxins and heavy metals
Nutrient deficiencies (zinc, B vitamins, etc.)
Treatment Strategies:
Nutrition: Whole foods rich in omega-3s, zinc, tryptophan, tyrosine, antioxidants
Lifestyle: Daily movement, quality sleep, community connection
Psychotherapy, psychosomatic healing, and nervous system retraining
Featured Case Study:
A 60-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis saw dramatic improvement in pain, energy, and inflammation after focusing on nervous system regulation, sleep, and mental wellness. Her care plan included vagus nerve stimulation and lifestyle changes. Within 3 months, she was pain-free, off prednisone, and considering a return to nursing. Her recovery also positively impacted her son, who struggled with mental health issues.
Final Message:
Healing is possible — even after years of trying. When diet and medications aren’t enough, it’s time to address mental health, trauma, and the nervous system. This episode reminds us that what feels emotional is often physical, and that support, persistence, and the right tools can make all the difference.
Dr. Mondala on YouTube & Instagram: Dr. Melissa’s Kitchen
The Rising Epidemic of Autoimmune
Episode 2
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 15:59
In this episode, Dr. Micah Yu and Dr. Melissa Mondala explore the rising epidemic of autoimmune disease. They unpack the root causes, early warning signs, and the whole-body approach needed for healing. They share personal clinical experiences, including a powerful success story using an anti-inflammatory protocol, and preview upcoming discussions on mental health, trauma, and psycho-neuro-immunology. The tone is both educational and hopeful, aimed at empowering patients and practitioners alike.
🔹 Key Bullet Points:
10% of the global population has autoimmune disease — and that number is rising.
Autoimmunity affects multiple systems: rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, GI, and beyond.
These diseases are often missed or misdiagnosed, with patients cycling through many specialists.
Women make up 80% of autoimmune cases.
Autoimmune diseases include lupus, Hashimoto’s, RA, Crohn’s, type 1 diabetes, celiac, and more.
Patients often develop multiple autoimmune conditions over time.
Traditional medicine focuses on symptom suppression, not root cause resolution.
🧠 Root Causes of Autoimmunity Discussed:
Diet and lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, sleep)
Environmental toxins (plastics, BPAs, PFAS, mold, heavy metals)
Infections (Lyme, COVID, flu, mycoplasma, etc.)
Medications and vaccines (as documented potential triggers)
Genetics and epigenetics
Chronic stress and trauma
Psycho-neuro-immunology — the link between brain, immune system, and inflammation
⚠️ Early Signs of Autoimmune Disease:
Fatigue and brain fog
Rashes and joint pain
GI issues (like bloody stools)
Oral/nasal ulcers, dry eyes/mouth
Hair loss
These signs are often subtle and systemic, making diagnosis difficult.
“Our Story: Healing Autoimmunity, Medicine, and Each Other”
Here are the highlights from our very first episode!
The origin story behind the podcast and why it’s deeply personal
Dr. Micah Yu shares his journey with autoimmune arthritis, undiagnosed pain, and years of suffering through medical school and residency
How nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle were missing pieces in traditional medical training
The power of plant-based eating in reversing inflammation and chronic symptoms
Dr. Melissa Mondala’s experience navigating the system as a doctor, caregiver, and seeker of integrative solutions
Why their clinical training and personal pain fueled a passion for integrative, lifestyle, and functional medicine
Reflections on medical culture, patient isolation, and the emotional weight of chronic illness
What they wish every patient and doctor knew about healing from the inside out
About Your Hosts:
Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP
Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.
Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University’s Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.
Toxic Load, Autoimmunity & Everyday Swaps with Dr. Aly Cohen
Episode 4
Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 53:14
Description: Board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Aly Cohen joins Dr. Micah Yu to connect environmental exposures with inflammation and autoimmunity, then turn that science into practical, low-stress habits. From plastics and bisphenols to water, air, food, and personal-care choices, Dr. Cohen shares a simple framework to cut risk without overwhelm, and how she integrates these steps into rheumatology care and patient outcomes.
What listeners will learn:
Learn what “toxic load” means in plain language and why Dr. Cohen is seeing more young patients with autoimmune issues in her rheumatology practice.
Discover smart ways to cut plastic exposure at home.
Learn Dr. Cohen’s “4 As” roadmap to reduce exposures step by step so people make progress without burnout.
Discover high-impact upgrades for water and why simple filtration can be a game changer across a lifetime.
Learn how to choose and wash produce to lower pesticide residues
Discover where endocrine-disrupting chemicals hide in cosmetics and personal care
Learn practical changes for the kitchen, such as ways to remove microplastics
Discover how Dr. Cohen pairs lifestyle and exposure reduction with standard rheumatology treatments to improve inflammation and quality of life.
Short bio for Dr. Aly Cohen:
Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician with more than two decades of clinical experience. Her work focuses on how everyday environmental exposures influence hormones, immunity, and inflammation, and on translating that science into simple habits patients can sustain. In practice and public education, she teaches practical steps for safer water, food, air, and personal-care choices, and how to layer these into rheumatology care to support symptom control and long-term health.
Dr. Aly Cohen’s Website:
Reprogramming the Immune System: Dr. Ty Vincent on LDI (Low Dose Immunotherapy) and Autoimmune Healing
Season 1 · Episode 7
Monday, September 22, 2025 • Duration 01:04:19
Summary
In this in-depth interview, Dr. Micah Yu speaks with Dr. Ty Vincent, founder of Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI), about his groundbreaking work in retraining the immune system. Dr. Vincent shares his journey from conventional medicine to developing LDI, explains how it differs from traditional allergy therapies and homeopathy, and reveals the remarkable outcomes he’s seen in patients with autoimmune and chronic illnesses. Together, they explore real-world success stories, the science of molecular mimicry, and why focusing on mechanisms rather than diagnoses may be the future of medicine.
Key Takeaways
Discover how Dr. Vincent’s path from family medicine to integrative care led him to create LDI.
Learn the difference between Low Dose Allergen Immunotherapy (LDA) and Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI).
Explore how LDI addresses immune tolerance rather than suppression, and why it works for conditions beyond allergies.
Hear case studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, Lyme disease, Hashimoto’s, psoriasis, and more who experienced remission or dramatic improvements.
Understand the concept of molecular mimicry and its role in autoimmunity.
See how LDI provides a safer, low-risk alternative to lifelong immunosuppressive drugs.
Gain insight into Dr. Vincent’s ongoing innovations, including potential breakthroughs for type 1 diabetes.
This conversation highlights a profound shift in how we can view and treat chronic illness. Instead of suppressing the immune system, Dr. Vincent’s work with LDI shows what’s possible when we restore tolerance and reprogram the body’s natural defenses. It’s an eye-opening discussion that offers hope for anyone struggling with autoimmunity or unexplained chronic conditions.
Host Bio:
Dr. Micah Yu is a board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional care with lifestyle and nutrition to help people reverse inflammation and live well with autoimmune disease. He is board certified in rheumatology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, completed his residency and rheumatology fellowship at Loma Linda University, and earned his MD from Chicago Medical School along with master’s degrees in biomedical sciences and health care administration.
CIRS & Autoimmunity: Untangling the Hidden Triggers, with Jenny Johnson, PT
Season 1 · Episode 6
Monday, September 15, 2025 • Duration 31:47
CIRS, Mold, and Autoimmunity: Getting Off the Inflammation Roller Coaster
This is an encouraging and educational interview for anyone navigating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) Dr. Melissa Mondala sits down with Jenny Johnson, a CIRS guide and community-builder, to unpack how biotoxin exposure from water-damaged buildings, mold, bacteria, and Lyme can drive chronic inflammation that mimics or even triggers autoimmune disease. They cover what to look for, how to differentiate CIRS from conditions like lupus, MS, and RA, and why environmental cleanup, sleep, nervous system support, and community are foundational. Jenny also shares moving recovery stories and practical ways families can pace healing without burning out.
CIRS is a chronic inflammatory response to biotoxins the body cannot easily clear. Symptoms can mirror lupus, MS, and RA, and CIRS may coexist with or trigger autoimmune flares. Taking a careful timeline, targeted labs, and sometimes imaging helps sort out what to treat first.
Key takeaways
Learn what CIRS is and how it overlaps with autoimmunity.
Discover why “remove the exposure” is step #1.
Cleaning up or leaving a water-damaged environment reduces daily biotoxin load.
Explore "pairing" detox strategies so the immune system can calm and autoimmune symptoms become more manageable.
Learn the “brain on fire and brain on ice” model.
Discover the early anchors of recovery.
Learn why community speeds healing.
Discover hope through real-world stories.
CIRS can cause anxiety, depression, panic, rage, and cognitive issues like brain fog and executive dysfunction. Having a coach or community to be your “borrowed brain” reduces overwhelm while you recover.
Prioritize sleep and simple nervous system supports. Add nutrition shifts toward anti-inflammatory eating, then layer movement as capacity returns. Passive vagus-nerve supports can help when you are too depleted to do more.
In this groundbreaking conversation, Dr. Micah Yu speaks with retired rheumatologist Dr. Alfred Miller, who spent 40 years in practice and training at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Miller shares his personal journey of discovering how Borrelia infections (often mislabeled as Lyme disease) may underlie many neurological and autoimmune conditions.
From misdiagnosis in academic institutions to overlooked testing protocols, he reveals why conventional approaches often miss the mark — and how proper testing, treatment, and even unconventional therapies like bee venom and stem cells can change lives.
Key Takeaways
Why Borrelia infection is a “great imitator,” often misdiagnosed as ALS, MS, dementia, and other chronic diseases
The flaws in current Lyme disease testing — and why omitting bands 31 & 34 on the Western blot leads to false negatives
How Borrelia’s 28-day reproductive cycle makes short-term antibiotic treatment ineffective
The role of cyst-busting medications and pulsed antibiotic protocols in treatment
Case studies: how Dr. Miller’s daughter-in-law lived seven years beyond a 4-month ALS prognosis after proper treatment
Why Dr. Miller believes autoimmune disease is a mislabel, and many cases are driven by Borrelia
Fascinating integrative therapies, including bee venom’s ability to eradicate Borrelia and stem cell use in repairing neurodegenerative damage
The importance of specialized labs like IGeneX (U.S.) and ArminLabs (Europe) for accurate tick-borne disease testing
The link betweenBorrelia infections, which cause Lyme disease, and autoimmune disorders is a complex and evolving area of medical research. A Borrelia infection can trigger autoimmune responses in genetically predisposed individuals through several mechanisms, including molecular mimicry and the induction of chronic inflammation.
The resulting immune dysfunction can lead to the development of specific autoimmune conditions, or it can produce symptoms that closely mimic those of autoimmune diseases.
When Infections Inflame the Mind: Lyme, MS, and the Gut–Brain Connection
Season 1 · Episode 8
Monday, September 29, 2025 • Duration 18:17
When Infections Inflame the Mind: Lyme, MS, and the Gut–Brain Connection
Dr. Darin Ingels connects the dots between chronic infections (like Lyme), the gut–brain axis, and neuroinflammation—explaining “leaky gut/leaky brain,” vagus-nerve signaling, mast-cell activation, and why mood, brain fog, and sleep often shift with immune activity. He shares practical supports—from joy practices to potent, targeted herbs—and how to vet supplement quality for safety and results.
Key takeaways:
Leaky gut and “leaky brain” often travel together; restoring gut function improves brain function.
The vagus nerve can transmit gut signals that open the blood–brain barrier and drive neuro-inflammation.
In Lyme and MS, immune cross-reactivity and mast-cell activation can inflame brain and nerves, contributing to anxiety, depression, OCD, and brain fog.
Joy and regulation tools matter: music, humor, nature, and realistic activity resets help shift mental state on hard days.
Herbal medicine is multi-targeted: combinations can modulate inflammation, immunity, hormones, and circulation—often at low doses with strong effects.
Adaptogens to balance stress/cortisol: eleuthero (Siberian ginseng), rhodiola, holy basil, Ashwagandha—choose by symptom pattern (e.g., “tired-and-wired”).
Sleep supports: lemon balm, chamomile, passionflower, kava, California poppy; nutrients like magnesium and 5-HTP/L-tryptophan help with staying asleep.
Pain/inflammation options: highly bioavailable curcumin, Boswellia (frankincense), white willow bark, and devil’s claw (Harpagophytum).
Quality matters: look for GMP certification and third-party testing; request Certificates of Analysis; be cautious with heat-exposed or counterfeit online products.
Forms and safety: tinctures, capsules, teas, glycerites—many herbs are GRAS with low toxicity when sourced and dosed correctly.
The Truth About Bone Density Tests & Fracture Risk | Dr. John Neustadt Explains
Monday, March 2, 2026 • Duration 54:12
I sat down with Dr. John Neustadt, naturopathic doctor and #1 Amazon bestselling author, reveals why bone density tests only predict 44% of fractures and how MK-4 vitamin K2 reduces fractures 70%—better than Fosamax.
We discuss shocking statistics: 1 in 19 women on SSRIs break bones, acid blockers strip minerals causing hip fractures, and strontium causes blood clots. Dr. Neustadt explains the Mediterranean diet's 20% risk reduction, the 0.6g protein per pound formula, and how HRT builds bone better than bisphosphonates that fail to prevent primary hip fractures.
Key Takeaways
Bone density tests only predict 44% of women's fractures, 21% of men's
Fosamax doesn't prevent primary hip fractures—only vertebral
1 in 19 women on SSRIs for 1-5 years will break a bone
MK-4 (45mg) reduces fractures 70%+ in clinical trials
Mediterranean diet: 20% less osteoporosis, 21% fewer hip fractures
Protein formula: 0.6g per pound body weight minimum
Strontium ranelate: 1 blood clot per fracture prevented
HRT (estrogen + testosterone) builds bone safely when appropriate
Men need estradiol tested—testosterone converts to it for bone building
Sleep <6 hours = 17% of fractures in elderly
Chapters & Timestamps
02:00 90% Not Tested: The Underdiagnosis Crisis
03:00 SSRIs & Acid Blockers Destroy Bones
05:00 Focus on Fractures, Not Just Bone Density
07:00 Pediatric Condition with Geriatric Consequences
09:00 H. Pylori & Acid Reflux Root Causes
10:00 Fosamax Doesn't Prevent Hip Fractures
12:00 36% Die Within a Year from Hip Fracture
14:00 Dr. Neustadt's Mother-in-Law Broke Hip on Fosamax
Guest DetailsConnect
IBS, SIBO, and Autoimmune Disease: Healing the Gut First
Monday, February 23, 2026 • Duration 19:55
In this episode, I sit down with James and Dahlia Marin, integrative dietitians specializing in SIBO and IBS, to explore how food relationships shape healing and why all autoimmunity begins in the gut.
Dahlia shares her Hashimoto's journey—bringing antibodies from over 3,500 (off the charts) to nearly normal using food as medicine. We discuss how gut inflammation progresses to autoimmune diseases, the vagus nerve "elevator" connecting gut and brain (fight→constipation, flight→diarrhea), and practical tools like gratitude before meals and anti-inflammatory "fire extinguisher" foods that shift your microbiome with every meal.
Key Takeaways
- All autoimmunity begins in gut - SIBO/IBS are early warnings
- Dahlia's antibodies: 3,500+ to near-normal with food
- Location matters - test before taking probiotics
- Calm nervous system before eating: gratitude, mantras, breathwork
- Microbiome shifts with EVERY meal
- Taste buds change to crave healthier foods over time
- Repair barrier with protein, amino acids, gooey foods
- Ask food relationship before giving elimination diets
Chapters & Timestamps
02:00 Autoimmune & Gut Health Connection
04:00 Bloating to Autoimmune: The Timeline
05:00 Anti-Inflammatory "Fire Extinguisher" Foods
07:00 Location Matters: Don't Take Probiotics Blindly
09:00 Dahlia's Hashimoto's: 3,500+ to Normal
12:00 Vagus Nerve: The Gut-Brain Elevator
13:00 Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn & GI Symptoms
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Emphasis on a functional and integrative medicine approach
Focus on Anti-inflammatory nutrition, Lifestyle changes (movement, sleep, stress), Avoiding or reducing toxin exposure, and identifying and managing infectious triggers
Healing is possible with small, consistent changes — often starting with food and mindset
Lupus Diagnosis: A patient went 5 years misdiagnosed by 10+ doctors. Dr. Yu correctly diagnosed lupus using labs and clinical intuition.
RA Reversal with Diet: A long-term RA patient experienced a dramatic reduction in pain (from 9/10 to 1/10) in just one month using Dr. Yu’s anti-inflammatory protocol — no added meds or steroids.
50%+ of autoimmune patients struggle with depression and anxiety.
Melissa introduces the concept of psycho-neuro-immunology: inflammation in the brain due to stress or trauma affects emotional regulation.
Mental health support is crucial and will be discussed more deeply in the next episode.
Dr. Micah Yu is a board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional care with lifestyle and nutrition to help people reverse inflammation and live well with autoimmune disease. He is board certified in rheumatology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, completed his residency and rheumatology fellowship at Loma Linda University, and earned his MD from Chicago Medical School along with master’s degrees in biomedical sciences and health care administration.
He also completed fellowship training in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Yu co-founded Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, California, where he sees patients locally and via telemedicine. He also co-hosts the Autoimmune Alchemy podcast with Dr. Melissa Mondala, bringing evidence, empathy, and practical tools to a global audience. His clinical perspective is informed by his own journey with autoimmune disease and by the results he has seen when patients pair targeted therapies with nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress resilience.
Website: https://myautoimmunemd.com/
He also completed fellowship training in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Yu co-founded Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, California, where he sees patients locally and via telemedicine. He also co-hosts the Autoimmune Alchemy podcast with Dr. Melissa Mondala, bringing evidence, empathy, and practical tools to a global audience. His clinical perspective is informed by his own journey with autoimmune disease and by the results he has seen when patients pair targeted therapies with nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress resilience.
Website: https://myautoimmunemd.com/
Jenny’s CIRS Healing Collective (https://cirshealingcollective.mn.co/landing) meets weekly to share practical tips, host guest experts, and reduce loneliness. Safe, validating connection supports the parasympathetic nervous system and helps people stay on the “healing track.”
Jenny shares recoveries in her family from Lyme and mold injury, and a child’s neurodivergent symptoms easing after addressing environmental causes. Parents are encouraged to keep pressing for answers.
Conclusion
CIRS is fixable, and addressing it can dramatically change the trajectory of autoimmune symptoms. Start with a solid history, test what matters, remove exposures, and anchor sleep and nervous system care. Do less, but do it on the right track. Most of all, do not do this alone. Community and a clear plan make the path lighter and faster.
Jenny Johnson is a leading expert in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and complex environmental illness. She is a Shoemaker Certified Coach, and drawing on years of clinical research and personal experience, she helps patients navigate the often-overlooked world of mold toxicity, biotoxin exposure, and neuroimmune dysfunction. Jenny is known for her deeply compassionate, whole-person approach and her ability to distill complex protocols into practical, healing strategies that work in the real world.
Host Bio:
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a triple specialist in family medicine, lifestyle medicine, and integrative/primary care psychiatry. She is double board certified in family medicine and lifestyle medicine, completed her family medicine residency and Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship at Loma Linda University Health, and earned her MD from Chicago Medical School along with master’s degrees in Health Administration and Biomedical Science. Dr. Mondala is co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, where she provides direct primary care, integrative mental health, and lifestyle-based prevention for patients locally and via telehealth.
She has served as core faculty in Preventive/Lifestyle Medicine at Loma Linda University and has contributed to national education in lifestyle medicine. She also co-hosts the Autoimmune Alchemy podcast with Dr. Micah Yu and leads the Integrative Mental Health Summit, bringing root-cause strategies for anxiety, mood, and brain health to a wider audience. Her approach blends diagnostics and conventional care with nutrition, sleep, movement, stress tools, and community to help patients reduce inflammation and build long-term resilience.
Dr. Micah Yu is a board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional care with lifestyle and nutrition to help people reverse inflammation and live well with autoimmune disease. He is board certified in rheumatology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, completed his residency and rheumatology fellowship at Loma Linda University, and earned his MD from Chicago Medical School along with master’s degrees in biomedical sciences and health care administration.
He also completed fellowship training in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Yu co-founded Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, California, where he sees patients locally and via telemedicine. He also co-hosts the Autoimmune Alchemy podcast with Dr. Melissa Mondala, bringing evidence, empathy, and practical tools to a global audience. His clinical perspective is informed by his own journey with autoimmune disease and by the results he has seen when patients pair targeted therapies with nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress resilience.
Website: https://myautoimmunemd.com/
If you’ve ever wondered about the root causes of autoimmune disease, dementia, ALS, or rheumatoid arthritis, this episode will open your eyes to a different paradigm of medicine.
Host Bio:
Dr. Micah Yu is a board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional care with lifestyle and nutrition to help people reverse inflammation and live well with autoimmune disease. He is board certified in rheumatology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, completed his residency and rheumatology fellowship at Loma Linda University, and earned his MD from Chicago Medical School along with master’s degrees in biomedical sciences and health care administration.
He also completed fellowship training in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Yu co-founded Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, California, where he sees patients locally and via telemedicine. He also co-hosts the Autoimmune Alchemy podcast with Dr. Melissa Mondala, bringing evidence, empathy, and practical tools to a global audience. His clinical perspective is informed by his own journey with autoimmune disease and by the results he has seen when patients pair targeted therapies with nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress resilience.
Website: https://myautoimmunemd.com/
Conclusion: Integrative mental health isn’t brain-only; it’s gut, immune, nerves, and daily rhythms working together. With clearer roots (infection, mast cells, barrier integrity) and practical tools (tailored herbs, joyful resets, vetted supplements), you can calm neuro-inflammation and support steadier mood, sleep, and cognition, step by step.
Host Bio:
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a triple specialist in family medicine, lifestyle medicine, and integrative/primary care psychiatry. She is double board certified in family medicine and lifestyle medicine, completed her family medicine residency and Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship at Loma Linda University Health, and earned her MD from Chicago Medical School along with master’s degrees in Health Administration and Biomedical Science. Dr. Mondala is co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, where she provides direct primary care, integrative mental health, and lifestyle-based prevention for patients locally and via telehealth.
She has served as core faculty in Preventive/Lifestyle Medicine at Loma Linda University and has contributed to national education in lifestyle medicine. She also co-hosts the Autoimmune Alchemy podcast with Dr. Micah Yu and leads the Integrative Mental Health Summit, bringing root-cause strategies for anxiety, mood, and brain health to a wider audience. Her approach blends diagnostics and conventional care with nutrition, sleep, movement, stress tools, and community to help patients reduce inflammation and build long-term resilience.
Guarantee: Strong Bones Guarantee - bone density stabilizes/improves in 6 months
About Your Host
Dr. Micah Yu, DC, CFMP
Functional Medicine Practitioner & Host of AutoImmune Alchemy
Dr. Micah Yu is a doctor of chiropractic and certified functional medicine practitioner specializing in autoimmune conditions and chronic illness. He recognizes mold exposure as a common root cause of autoimmune disease, particularly in patients with long-haul COVID who suddenly develop mold sensitivities. Dr. Yu is passionate about educating his community on environmental toxins and bringing expert voices like John Banta to help patients understand the hidden triggers affecting their health. He practices integrative medicine with his wife, creating a dynamic team dedicated to uncovering root causes and supporting patients on their healing journey.
About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast
Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy
AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex chronic conditions.
Hosted by Dr. Micah Yu, the show explores root causes like mold exposure, infections, and environmental toxins that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode features expert interviews and cutting-edge treatments to help listeners understand the "why" behind their illness and find pathways to healing.
Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand mold's role in chronic illness, please leave a 5-star review!
This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or remediation. Individual results may vary.
15:00 Sustaining Healthy Lifestyle
16:00 Microbiome Shifts with Every Meal
17:00 Married to Health Resources
Guest Details
James & Dahlia Marin, RD - Integrative Dietitians, Married to Health Founders
Credentials: Registered Dietitians specializing in SIBO, IBS & autoimmune disease. Dahlia: Hashimoto's survivor (antibodies less than 3,500 to near-normal).
Philosophy: "Heal with each meal, feel with each meal" - every meal shifts microbiome toward healing or harm.
Connect with James & Dahlia Marin
Website: www.marriedtohealth.com (hub for all resources)
Social Media: @marriedtohealth (all platforms)
Services & Programs:
Private practice with 8+ specialized dietitians
Good Gut SIBO/IBS self-paced program
One-on-one nutrition sessions
eBooks & educational resources
Regenerative Nutrition & Gut Health Experience (October, Southern California in-person event)
About Your Host
Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University’s Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.
About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast
Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy
AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex chronic conditions.
Hosted by Dr. Micah Yu, the show explores root causes like mold exposure, infections, and environmental toxins that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode features expert interviews and cutting-edge treatments to help listeners understand the "why" behind their illness and find pathways to healing.
Subscribe & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand mold's role in chronic illness, please leave a 5-star review!
This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or remediation. Individual results may vary.
