The Lab Report

Today on The Lab Report: Dr. Robert Huggins has treated more than 80 cases of exertional heat stroke. As Chief Research Officer at the Korey Stringer Institute at UCONN, he studies what happens to the human body under heat and strain, both for elite athletes and for the warehouse workers, delivery drivers and construction crews who handle extreme conditions every day. In this episode, Dr. Huggins...

Dr. Aleksandra Gajer spent years in emergency medicine then shifted her focus toward helping people get ahead of health problems—not just treat them once they appear. She’s developed a practice that covers all aspects of longevity. Today we chat about metabolic health, hormones, lifestyle, and what it really means to take a more personalized approach to feeling your best. And we’...

Dr. Shilpa Saxena is a longtime leader and educator in functional and integrative medicine and Chief Medical Officer at Forum Health. Dr. Saxena’s approach to healing involves active listening and true connection to ensure patients are heard. She’s taught many of us over the years with her light-hearted metaphors and analogies that framed our understanding of complex topics – inc...

Firefighters put their health on the line every day. But the risks they face don’t end when the fire is out. From smoke and diesel exhaust to extreme heat, chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and demanding shift schedules, the fire service can place tremendous strain on the body. In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Meyers, MPAP, PA-C, physician assistant and founder of FIREPROOF Wellness,...

Most people don't think about their bones until something breaks—but by then, it may be too late. Dr. John Neustadt literally wrote the book on this topic and challenges everything you thought you knew about bone health. He offers everyday habits that can protect you from fracture, discusses the role of nutrition, exercise, hormones, and even commonly prescribed medications that can directly...

What happens when a mother’s determination to find answers meets a physician dedicated to uncovering the root causes behind autism and developmental challenges? In this powerful episode, autism advocate Heather Acquavella of Theo’s Voice joins renowned functional medicine specialist Dr. Jared Skowron to share the remarkable journey of her son, Theo. Together they discuss the turning po...

Anurag Singh MD, PhD. is a physician, researcher, immunologist, and one of the leading voices behind the science of Urolithin A – a gut microbiome metabolite. Urolithin A is crucial for mitochondrial health by stimulating mitophagy. Dr. Singh breaks down the science and explains his extensive research into how this postbiotic compound could play a major role in cellular energy and longevity....

What if the secret to a longer, healthier life isn’t found in the latest biohacking trend but in the small, sustainable choices you make every day? In this episode, we meet Dr. Jennifer Timmons, a longevity expert and the founder of Timmons Wellness, a concierge medical practice built around personalized, proactive care. Dr. Timmons has made it her mission to help patients move beyond conven...

Dr. Nasha Winters is a naturopathic physician with a deeply powerful story. Diagnosed with stage IV cancer at age 19 and given just a few months to live, she embarked on a relentless journey to self-education and integrative healing that ultimately saved her life. Now a leading expert in metabolic oncology, Dr. Nasha is passionate in her mission to transform healthcare by addressing underlying met...

Maggie Awad, NP is the founder of Elevate Performance Medicine and a leading functional sports medicine nurse practitioner. Drawing on her work with elite professional athletes, Maggie breaks down how an optimized microbiome and personalized nutrition can fuel energy production, decrease inflammation, and support recovery. This holistic approach allows athletes to train harder, bounce back faster,...

Celebrate the magic of the season with our special Christmas episode as we unwrap the 5 Love Languages and explore why love truly is the greatest gift of all. Whether it’s words that warm the heart, thoughtful acts of kindness, actual Christmas gifts, quality time with family and friends, or a comforting touch, we’ll help you discover how to give – and receive- love in ways that...

The gut microbiome is more than just bacteria. It encompasses all organisms and genetic material including yeast, viruses, and archaea. It is a common belief that yeast in the GI tract needs to be eradicated. But not so fast. In this episode, we focus on the mycobiome. We examine the dual roles of commensal and pathogenic yeast species within the GI tract, exploring how they influence immune signa...

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...

Gut motility may be the most important and least discussed aspect of health. One vital part of gut motility is the Migrating Motor Complex. The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is the gut’s “street sweeper,” clearing food and bacteria to maintain intestinal homeostasis between meals. In this episode, we review its physiology, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical relevance – fro...

The microbiome continues to be viewed as a cornerstone of health, whether we are discussing the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular risk, immune dysfunction, and even cognitive health. One major contributions of the microbiome to our global health is in the production of short-chain fatty acids. Primary among these products is a compound known as n-butyrate. N-butyrate has profound roles, not o...

Based on recent research, the term ‘dysbiosis’ is no longer a simple black-and-white diagnosis of a gut imbalance. The scientific understanding of a healthy microbiome is evolving. It’s no longer just about the laundry list of organisms present, but rather about their functionality for health and disease. In today’s episode, we unpack the term ‘dysbiosis.’ Join...

Like Hippocrates said, “All Disease Begins in the Gut.” Here in functional/personalized medicine, stool testing is an important tool to help get to the root cause of chronic conditions or to optimize health. Given its vital role in clinical practice, choosing the right stool test becomes paramount and being mindful of the information you are seeking is key. In today’s episode, we...

Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) are often called molecular chaperones. These crucial proteins spring into action when cells are under threat from environmental stressors, toxins, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Join us as we uncover how heat shock proteins function as the cell’s microscopic repair crew. Discover how this fundamental biological mechanism not only protects our cells from daily...

Licorice root is a time-honored herbal remedy with a sweet side. Beyond its role in teas and tonics, licorice root has been used for centuries to support digestion, ease respiratory illnesses, and calm everyday inflammation. It is well- known for its synergistic effects with other herbal therapies. Join us as we talk about how licorice root can fit into your wellness routine, the traditions behind...

Mitochondrial dysfunction may be one of the most important topics in the area of personalized and preventative medicine to date. Thousands of articles have been published on the nature of how mitochondria become damaged and what that means for health, longevity, and aging. On today’s podcast, we take a deep dive into the triggers for mitochondrial dysfunction and what clinical conditions are...

Eggs are one of the most widely-consumed, and underappreciated, foods in the human diet. Long regarded as a nutritional powerhouse, eggs are rich in high-quality protein and essential nutrients that are key for health. In fact, eggs are considered the best complete protein – meaning they contain all 9 essential amino acids. But for decades, eggs were caught in the crossfire of the cholestero...

Stool testing technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, with newer methods like PCR and whole-genome sequencing offering faster and more precise insights into the gut microbiome. These innovations have transformed how clinicians approach gut health, allowing for more targeted interventions. However, older technologies—such as microscopy, culture, and enzyme-based assays—still pl...

N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, plays an important role in the body when it comes to combating oxidative stress. As a precursor to make glutathione, NAC has been used for decades both as an acute medication and as an over-the-counter supplement. Recently, the line between medication and supplement has been blurred and is now being debated. Today we talk all about N-acetylcysteine - the ways NAC is used...

Turmeric is a spice with ancient origins. You’ve seen it in smoothies, teas, curry, and supplements.  Known for its bright yellow color, it has been used for centuries to support whole-body wellness. From inflammation and joint pain to brain and heart health, in this episode we break down what the science says about turmeric and its main constituent curcumin. Join us as we explore turme...

There’s a lot of buzz around the topic of longevity. One might argue that every aspect of functional and integrative medicine promotes longevity – which is true. We’re not merely looking to lengthen lifespan we want to promote a HEALTH span. With that in mind, data is compelling. There’s one metric that is often overlooked which happens to be the greatest predictor of longe...