Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics – Details, episodes & analysis

Join me for a fascinating conversation around an exciting breakthrough in dementia detection that’s offering real hope for early intervention. Dr. Hans Frykman, Chief Scientific Officer at Neurocode Laboratories, is here to share groundbreaking insights into cutting-edge biomarkers that can identify pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease before symptoms even appear. What’s even more fascinating is how these same tools are revealing neuroinflammation caused by infections, including COVID, Lyme disease, and mold exposure—issues that are incredibly relevant in functional medicine today. The assays Dr. Frykman and his team have developed, and continue to research, are transforming the way we think about diagnosing and addressing neurodegeneration. We’re talking about a potential game-changer that allows us to intervene earlier, reverse damage, and ultimately improve the trajectory of these conditions. This is an extraordinary time in science and medicine, and the work we’re discussing today is at the forefront of it all. Don’t miss out on how this could reshape your practice. ~DrKF

Check out the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/2t55s3y3 for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS Dr. Hans Frykman, MD PhD FRCPC hfrykman@neurocode.com

Hans Frykman MD, Ph.D., FRCPC is the founder, CEO, and medical director of BC Neuroimmunology Lab located in the UBC hospital on the University of BC campus in Vancouver BC. He is the medical director for Lykke Lab a genetics laboratory also on the University of BC campus. Also, he is the CSO for Neurocode Lab Inc. in Bellingham WA, a high-complexity, specialty lab focused on neuroimmunology and biomarkers in neurodegeneration. Dr. Frykman has a clinical faculty position at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Neurology.

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We’re witnessing an exciting shift in how we understand gut health and disease—and it’s all thanks to the powerful metabolites produced by the microbiome, like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and secondary bile acids. In today’s episode, Dr. Tom Fabian shares groundbreaking insights into how these postbiotics influence intestinal barrier integrity, immune balance, and even muscle regeneration. These compounds are also connected to key processes like glucose metabolism and healthy aging. What’s truly fascinating is how this science is opening up new frontiers in treating IBS, metabolic conditions, and chronic gut issues. With the upcoming launch of Diagnostic Solution Laboratories’ StoolOMX test, an add-on to the GI-MAP, we now have a tool to measure these metabolites in clinical practice, making personalized and effective treatments more attainable. This is a pivotal moment in functional medicine that you don’t want to miss. ~DrKF

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Check out the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/2t55s3y3 for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS Thomas Fabian, PhD, CNTP Email: tom.fabian@diagnosticsolutionslab.com

Dr. Fabian is a leading expert on the role of the microbiome in health, immune function, chronic disease, and aging. As a translational scientist, his primary focus is on the clinical application of microbiome research in the integrative and functional medicine space. He received his PhD in molecular biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and has worked as a biomedical researcher in the biotechnology industry, and more recently, as a consultant in the microbiome testing field. Currently, Dr. Fabian serves a consultant and science advisor with Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, and he is also a Science Advisory Board member with Designs for Health. In addition, he is certified as a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner by the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver.

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Talking with Dr. Julie Faitg was a powerful reminder of just how much we’re discovering about mitochondria and aging. When you pair an elite mitochondrial scientist with a breakthrough nutrient like Urolithin A, the insights go beyond what you’d expect. Julie gives us this incredible look into how we can actually change the course of aging at the cellular level. This conversation made me rethink what we know about supporting long-term health and resilience, and I think it will do the same for you. It’s one of those big-picture, eye-opening conversations that I can’t wait for you to hear. ~DrKF

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GUEST DETAILS Dr. Julie Faitg, PhD Email: jfaitg@timeline.com Dr. Julie Faitg is a leading expert in mitochondrial research, with over nine years of experience focusing on muscle and brain biology, and recently expanding her expertise to include skin health. Holding a PhD in Translational and Clinical Research from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, she collaborates with renowned scientists worldwide, including Nobel laureate Eric Kandel and mitochondrial experts.

Currently, Dr. Faitg serves as the Senior Translational Scientist and Regulatory Affairs Lead at Timeline, where she makes significant contributions to research and development across various organ systems in the field of mitochondrial biology.

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Harvard scientist and NYT best-selling author David Sinclair, PhD and I take a tour around the science of aging. If aging is THE root cause of all of the chronic diseases of aging, then arguably, if we focus on the aging journey itself, we might be able to stop playing “whack-a-mole medicine.” A lot of complex environmental, genetic, epigenetic and biochemical processes go into the aging journey, however, as Dr. Sinclair discusses, it looks like a very heavy lifter in aging is epigenetic changes – specifically, DNA methylation and demethylation (plus histone acetylation). In this episode of New Frontiers, learn about the amazing research going on at Dr. Sinclair’s lab, hear what’s getting translated to humans, and what you can do NOW to stop the epigenetic clock from ticking…. Listen and learn, leave us a 5 star review if you’d be so kind, and be sure to share with your colleagues! ~DrKF

COVID19 is upon us. Months earlier, we scheduled James Maskell to discuss his recent book: The Community Cure. Amazingly, his message today is all the more urgent. James argues for the group visit model, was an early adopter and proponent of group visits (in fact, we discuss the pre-publication Cleveland Clinic group visit research findings, which are astonishingly good; even better than the first JAMA publication comparing functional medicine one-on-one with family medicine.) Now, with COVID19 and self-isolation, the virtual visit and the virtual group visit (where James saw FxMed eventually going) is upon us. And specifically, his vision is that this model works in insurance – and even Medicare. James’ message – the promise of functional medicine – is timely, inspiring, and essential. ~DrKF

The GI360 is a smart, evidenced-based stool test that is easily actionable by the clinician. Listen to my conversation today with VP of Scientific Support from Doctor’s Data, Dr. David Quig. One of the most useful tools I am aware of in stool testing is the Dysbiosis Test, which identifies and characterizes more than 45 targeted analytes across six Phyla using PCR and compares the patient results to a characterized normobiotic reference population. DDI is also using the Luminex PCR panel for pathogens, parasites and viruses – an FDA cleared panel for accurate detection of microbes that are almost always a problem. But what if they are not? Hear my discussion with Dr. Q on that. Finally, beta glucuronidase – it’s SO MUCH more complex than we’ve understood. Yes, we’re aware of the estrogen connection, but the BG story has evolved. We also walk through the chemistries – DDI includes a wide range of chems (appreciated by me and my colleagues here in our practice). Give us a listen, then leave a 5 star review and comment -- if you would be so kind! Thank you! ~DrKF

What a superb conversation with leading expert lipidologist and – importantly – clinician of 30+ years, Tom Dayspring, MD. In this tour-de-force conversation, we break down the essential cardiovascular risk laboratory analysis you need to be undertaking on all your patients. We spend a little extra time on Lp(a) and the coronary calcium score. Our conversation is practical; I was fervently taking notes through the entire recording, as I suspect you’ll be doing. I will likely bring Tom back for additional conversation, perhaps focusing on women’s cardiovascular health, so stay tuned! As with many of my podcasts, I chat with my guests before and after the recording. Tom and I discuss on the podcast whether we’re concerned about brain cholesterol deficits with an excessively lowered LDL. He unequivocally stated not; we synthesize all the cholesterol we need locally, including in the CNS. However, after the recording, he added that statins can cross the BBB and lower brain cholesterol. Serum desmosterol is an analyte that can readily be assessed that is a surrogate marker of brain cholesterol: consider this if needed. Enjoy this in-depth conversation, and be sure to leave New Frontiers a rating on iTunes or Stitcher or wherever you listen. It’s the best thing you can do to help share this valuable content and help put FxMed in front of more and more listeners! Thank you! ~DrKF

Globally, stress and anxiety levels have never been higher. According to one recent survey, a full 70% of Americans are stressed out, with a disproportionate impact on people of color. From worry about getting sick, to sick family members, to financial pressures, to homeschooling, the list of possible contributing factors is long. How do we care for our patients or clients in this climate? Victoria Albina, NP MPH is a family nurse practitioner in NYC – the COVID epicenter. She’s also a cognitive behavioral life coach and breathwork meditation facilitator. In short, she’s remarkably suited to walk us through tools to consider using with patients immediately. Victoria was an early adopter of using CBD for anxiety and has a wealth of knowledge around how to work with it for acute anxiety (regardless of how it presents: from insomnia to addictive “buffering” behavior). She also covers lifestyle interventions and key botanicals she’ll use concurrently when the need exists. And to top it off, Dr. Albina walks us through a lovely breathing exercise at the end of our conversation. It was one of the most grounding – and informative- podcasts I’ve done 😊, and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Leave us a review and 5-star rating on iTunes or wherever you listen to New Frontiers. Thank you! ~DrKF

Many of us in functional/integrative medicine have used organic acid testing for decades to identify nutrient, toxin, and genetic imbalances. I am proud that the lab I once worked in developed one of the original panels – still quite popular and in wide use today. Inspiration for organic acid testing came from inborn errors of metabolism research, where a handful of compounds are (still) measured in newborns to rule out severe genetic diseases. Flash forward to the “Omics” revolution: you know, the genome, the epigenome, exposome, microbiome, etc. We’re beyond the 42 organic acids of old, and moving closer to clinical metabolomics. For me, it's about time, to be honest. Metabolomics in the research setting has been happening for years, and today I talk with Betsy Redmond, PhD, on the ultimate metabolomic panel for clinicians and what that might look like: actionable, straightforward, and evidence-based. Perfect for the busy clinician, and satisfying for those who want a drill-down into the biochemistry. Thanks for listening, and please leave us a review wherever you listen to New Frontiers! ~DrKF

A nurse wakes in the night in profound anxiety, she can’t breathe, her first panic attack. Her husband is quarantined with COVID19; while she works the frontlines at a large hospital, witnessing what looks like the apocalypse. She begins a series of gentle, EFT Tapping exercises. After three brief rounds, she’s through the panic, able to once again relax. Nick Ortner is the CEO of The Tapping Solution, LLC, and my guest today on NFFM. Tapping is such a simple, elegant, immediate solution to the profound anxiety that comes with the out-of-control stress, fear and economic panic intrinsic in the COVID pandemic. With the Tapping Solution app (full access is available to healthcare providers for free), we can ground ourselves as needed. And for the data hounds among us (yes, that would be me); the app is tracking outcome. Over 1.5 million sessions have been conducted using the app. Regarding COVID19 specific exercises, Nick reports a couple of things: 1. Stress is at an all-time high 2. There is a daily average 45% reduction in the experience of stress after TAP exercises. You will enjoy this in-depth interview with Nick, and takeaway immediate tools to put to use for yourself and your patients. Let me know what you think, and please rate and review wherever you’re listening to New Frontiers.~DrKF