The Lab Report

Berberine is an alkaloid compound that can be extracted from several plants. It is a widely used supplement in personalized medicine and is also beginning to get some traction within the conventional medicine space. Berberine is mainly used in the GI tract for its antimicrobial effects, but as it relates to gut health, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What is even more fascinating is berberine’...

Diet and nutrition are a cornerstone of health and wellness. Small changes can have big impacts! With so much research and so many opinions, many people still struggle with what they should be eating. When looking for help, it’s difficult to wade through the various schools of thought since people become entrenched in their dietary camps: keto, carnivore, vegetarian, Mediterranean, etc. Recent tre...

Another calendar year in the books, and The Lab Report did not disappoint. Incredible interviews with some of the brightest minds in the health care industry, complex medical topics made easy, games, jingles, and loads of fun. As we approach the New Year, it’s a great time to listen back to some of the highlights (and lowlights) from the podcast throughout 2022. On today’s episode, Michael takes a...

When it comes to holiday traditions, we think of decorating Christmas trees, baking cookies, the Elf on the Shelf, or lighting a menorah. But holiday traditions are far more unusual and diverse throughout the world. Some might really surprise you! On today’s episode, we touch on some unusual international holiday customs you’ve likely never heard while sprinkling in some clinical pearls. We also c...

The roles of nutrition, hormones, and muscle physiology have been well established when it comes to improving athletic performance. But what if optimizing the gut microbiome is a crucial missing piece? This is exactly where Dr. Sara Campbell and her team at Rutgers University focus their research. Dr. Campbell pioneered studying the connection between the microbiome and movement over a decade ago...

As technology evolves, so too does our understanding of the gut microbiome. Until now, we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. Metagenomics offers us the ability to assess the complete microbiome as well as its potential function. This is the technology that powers Genova’s new Microbiomix stool profile and we’ve partnered with Microba Life Sciences – a world leader in microbiome metagenomic analy...

If you’ve never heard Dr. Jill Carnahan tell her personal story, you’re about to hear an inspiring and powerful episode. In the face of recurrent and unexpected illness, Dr. Jill never gave up. She continues to find resilience through functional medicine, science, and faith. With that, Dr. Jill uses all of the knowledge and wisdom she’s gained along the way to help patients all over the world.   I...

The Thanksgiving holiday is more than just family, friends, food, and football. It is an opportunity to be reminded of the importance of gratitude. Although being thankful seems like just a nice moral platitude, gratitude interventions are shown to have surprisingly important clinical implications for our health.   On today’s episode, we talk Thanksgiving ‘fun facts,’ gratitude interventions, and...

Esther Blum is the industry expert when it comes to empowering women during the menopausal transition and beyond. As an integrative dietician, she’s helped thousands of women master menopause through nutrition, hormones, lifestyle, and self-advocacy. Her approach works and her client results speak for themselves. In today’s episode, Esther Blum offers her “Meno-Laws” - practical tips for peri- and...

As a colorectal surgeon, Dr. Brian Jerby has spent years dealing with the end-stages of GI diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. He now focuses on getting to the root causes for preventing surgical intervention and mitigating long-term medication use. As a functional medicine certified practitioner, Dr. Jerby employs personalized tools to treat these patients such as nutrition,...

In functional and precision medicine, we know the importance of a healthy microbiome as it relates to overall health and wellness. Translating this into clinical practice is an art. Rachel Martin, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, specializes in gut health but through a different lens. Her approach to teaching and healing offers a fresh perspective with profound ramifications. What if we f...

Our bodies contain an inner clock that helps to regulate hormones and biochemistry. This clock is referred to as the circadian rhythm. The fine timing of this biological rhythm requires signaling from light. With the change in seasons, many of us feel the systemic effects of less daylight in various ways, one of which is altered mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that...

With the advent of the Human Microbiome Project and advancing technologies in whole-genome sequencing, the critical role of the gastrointestinal microbiome becomes clearer and clearer. We know the microbiome helps extract nutrients from the diet, creates important systemic metabolites, communicates with our skin and brain, and so much more. That being said, one such bacteria continues to stand out...

Bacteria are everywhere in the environment. Although we understand there is a delicate balance of bacteria in our bodies which keep us healthy, many don’t grasp the complexity of how bacterial populations interact, adapt, and survive. They form structures called ‘biofilms’ which have become a hot topic in functional medicine as it relates to treating resistant or recurrent infections. In today’s e...

If you’ve seen the Netflix documentary “The Social Dilemma,” you’ll recognize today’s guest. Dr. Anna Lembke is an addiction specialist from Stanford University, a New York Times best-selling author, and was featured on that Netflix special. Addiction takes many forms – not only alcohol and illicit drugs, but also social media, exercise, shopping, and workaholism. But, where’s the line between hab...

The commensal bacteria in the gut microbiome are responsible for so many important functions. Their influence is far-reaching as it relates to overall health. Research shows us that the more diverse that community of bacteria is, the more beneficial it is to systemic health. But what does diversity mean and how do we measure it? There are many calculations used when it comes to diversity of the mi...

In the evolving landscape of microbiome research, we are beginning to see that our gut microbiome has more control over our health than we ever knew. Genova’s Microbiomix profile uses the newest technology of whole genome sequencing which adds another layer of understanding. We now see that the microbiome is one of our most important health indicators. We know that commensal bacteria produce many...

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism and is sometimes referred to as the ‘thermostat’ of our bodies. Even minor abnormalities in thyroid function can have far-reaching effects for every organ system. Thyroid diseases are prevalent worldwide and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is common. But many don’t realize that there are basic dietary nutrients that can have a huge imp...

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) has become a hot topic in functional medicine. Mast cells are an integral part of the body’s immune system. They can be found in areas of exposure such as mucosal membranes, the lining of the GI tract, skin, and airways. Mast cells are responsible for storing important chemical mediators like histamine and others which help to instigate allergic responses. Mast...

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino is a well-known leading researcher who studies nutritional strategies and metabolic-based therapies in neurological disorders, seizures, cancer, and metabolic wellness. He also happens to be a preeminent voice and proponent of the ketogenic diet. Ketosis is your body’s ability to burn fat for fuel when carbohydrates are not readily available – producing ketones. No longer th...

Taylor Dukes is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a very unique voice in functional medicine. Her practice is comprised of so many different kinds of patients. She specializes in family medicine, fertility, peri- and postnatal care, but also treats many high-performance athletes and celebrities. One of Taylor’s many passions is the role of the microbiome in systemic health – which a...

If there’s one thing we’ve all come to appreciate during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the importance of a healthy immune system. The immune system is a complex network of various cells, proteins, and organs that work together to help your body recognize and mitigate potential invaders, as well as recognize and protect itself. Metabolic health, proper nutrition, a healthy microbiome, and intact gut...

Summer brings tons of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and backyard barbeques. It also brings bugs and insects. Likely you’ve encountered your fair share of bug bites, but one bite you don’t want to ignore is a tick bite! Because ticks are visually easy to miss, tick bites can go unnoticed too. Ticks can transmit organisms into your systemic circulation resulting in acute and chronic sympt...

Many of us start the day with a hot cup of coffee. It’s not only a delicious beverage, but coffee is also part of our collective social fabric. Some drink it mainly for the caffeine and stimulating effect without realizing some of the important health benefits to coffee. However, like all things, moderation is the key. Too much caffeine leaves many people feeling jittery and anxious and at times,...

Of all the herbal and homeopathic natural therapies available, Arnica has become the most recognized in popular culture and the conventional medicine landscape. Many swear by its ability to reduce swelling, bruising, and inflammation. It can be found in over-the-counter gels, creams, and sometimes tinctures. Literature and outcome studies using Arnica cream are sparse, yet anecdotally there have b...