A Functional Approach with Dr. Jim Chialtas

In this 122nd episode I revisit the topic of anemia. Interestingly, looking back over my last 122 episodes, my episode on anemia that I posted way back when I first started my podcast has had the most streams of any other episode. So in honor of that fact, I wanted to revisit anemia today. In this episode I will discuss some basics types of anemia, and how it can impact things like mental/emotiona...

In this 121st, episode I was inspired to explore some concepts about being ready in life. In particular, was inspired by a friend who is awaiting the arrival of his new baby, and had an urge to process all of his past traumas, hang-ups, etc. before the baby arrives. But is that really possible? What does "being ready" really mean? Let's explore, shall we?

In this 120th episode I discuss what I believe are shenanigans that permeate the pharmaceutical world and drive drug sales. For the purposes of this episode I focus on Statin therapy medications, though tricks like this are not rare in the system. I will discuss a little about how Statin medications work to lower Cholesterol, some common side effects and nutrient depletion they often cause, and I...

In this 119th episode I offer some thoughts which were inspired by conversations I have had recently with an old friend and colleague. It is her devotion to lead a life of gratitude that struck me. It is easy to let the difficult things in our lives direct our outlook and therefore our perception of ourselves and how we relate to the world around us. An old martial arts instructor once said to us,...

In this 118th episode I take on a whopper of a topic - Do vaccines cause autism? This is a topic that I generally prefer to avoid. Sadly we are at a time in our history where discussion of certain topic is quite literally verboten. However, this topic in particular, I feel, need a little more unpacking. I can't shake the notion that people are asking the wrong question here. Or rather, applyin...

In this 177th episode I unpack some details about Hydrogen Water. Long story short, Hydrogen Water is just that... Hydrogen molecules dissolved into water and then consumed. Why would one do this you ask? Hydrogen Water is a powerful antioxidant, it is cheap, and can help unwind many different inflammatory-based conditions. Aside from the benefits I discuss for things like Insulin Resistance/Diabe...

In this 116th episode I step aside as Doctor Jim and talk from the heart as a father. My eldest child Sequoia just fledged the nest and is currently living and training in Dubois, Wyoming as he starts his career in backcountry horse guiding and mule packing. Though incredibly proud of him I can't overlook the feeling of loss. The loss of a child... Insomuch is it pertains to that child becomin...

In this 115th episode, I sit down for a conversation with my colleague Dr. Jaz. It was such a refreshing moment for me to get back to my roots as an acupuncturist and talk Traditional Chinese Energetics for a moment. Dr. Jaz is a wealth of knowledge and a joy to chat with. In this episode we discuss concepts around Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Gut Health, and Chi Nei...

In this 114th episode I keep it brief and discuss a day that I had recently which involved some self care, and subsequent healthy choices afterwards. It struck me that how committing to one bit of self care to start my day (I had a wonderful Network Chiropractic session with a friend and colleague) had such a positive impact all throughout that day. The choices that we make each and every moment a...

In this 113th episode I spend some time with my colleague Dr. Mercedes Cook. Dr. Mercedes is a Chiropractor specializing in the Upper Cervical vertebrae, an area of the spine with tremendous potential to influence health, wellness, and potential pathology. In this chat we discuss how an upper cervical focus can be helpful, hear some personal stories about how it helped both Dr. Mercedes as a young...

In this 112th episode I take on a whopper of a topic... Hormones. This is a big topic for just about anyone above the age of 12. Hormones are literally blamed for just about everything. And as life moves into the perimenopause/menopause or andropause times of life, hormones are seen as the only way to stave off the ravishing impacts of aging. (Other people's words... Not mine.) But what if I w...

In this 111th episode I sit down with my colleague Brady from Quicksilver Scientific. Quicksilver is one of the nutraceutical/supplement companies that I use in my practice. I choose to use Quicksilver because I appreciate the detail and care that they put into the research and development, delivery of the nutritional compounds, and transparency. To say that not all supplements are of the same qua...

In this 110th episode I discuss concepts around a particular kind of misery that some people experience when they are taking on a keto diet, or even if just fasting. I will describe what it is, four possible reasons that someone may be experiencing such a thing, and some tips about how to avoid experiencing a "keto flu" in the first place.

In this 109th episode I take on a the very serious topic of constipation. All giggles aside about pooping, there is so much to unpack in this area of health. We will discuss just how to know if you qualify as constipated, why is not having a regular bowel movement bad for you, what are the mainstream recommendations, why the mainstream recommendations aren't ideal for many people, and some ways to...

In this 108th episode I take inspiration from a lecture from my favorite Eastern Philosopher, Alan Watts. I was struck with inspiration the day of this recording and wrote a short piece just before recording the episode. This writing was unedited and channeled a feeling that I gained after listing to Alan Watts speak. It is so important to our physical and mental-emotional health to dig into topic...

In this 107th episode I discuss the highly contentious topic of salt. Yep... This podcast will likely contain some fightin' words! But now isn't that just what scientific debate is all about? :-) In this episode I will talk about the reasons why salt has been so vilified, and how the war on salt began. But I will contrast that with some very good published research that speaks to the contr...

In this 106th episode I talk a bit about expectation and how it may impact our health and/or life experience. Indeed, we tend to bring into many experiences our expectations about said experience. We are rarely ever truly present in the moment. The story of the Chinese Farmer is a great example of how our expectations of an event may or may not hold importance in the way we think. The idea here is...

In this 105th episode I spend an hour talking with a longtime friend and colleague Kit Yoon. I met Kit back in 1999 in acupuncture school up in Santa Cruz California. From the moment I met her I knew she had a lot to offer this world and the people living on it. Those who are under her care are lucky ones indeed. This chat was focused on the discussion of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Functional M...

In this 104th episode I discuss a pretty fantastic compound. Ergothioneine is considered a sort of "master antioxidant." I detail several surprising abilities of this compound and why you might want it around in case of an unsuspected injury, and even chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, and just about anything else that is driven by inflammation. I discuss...

In this 103rd episode I discuss some fundamental concepts between modern culture and the more ancient ways of living as it pertains to health and wellness. We will cover topics such as a Paleo Diet strategy, how modern day humans compare to our ancestors, cardiovascular disease, and more! I use the native Tsimane people from the Bolivian Amazon region of South America as living example of how trad...

In this 102nd episode I return from my short break and start my "second season" with the very interesting topic of placebo. This was a topic that we studied extensively in my Doctorate of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine program and what we know about it goes far beyond what you might otherwise believe. Indeed, placebo tends to be a four letter word in medicine. Something to scrutinize...

In this 101st episode I check in during my inter-season sabbatical from posting podcast episodes. I was compelled to read a very special poem that is actually better listened to by the artist, Kae Tempest, but I have always wanted to read it out loud so here it is. It is a poem that reminds up that even when things feel terrible. Perhaps even futile... When there is a feeling that all is lost, the...

In my 100th episode I riff a bit on my process of podcasting, and the content of these 100 episodes. In essence, I let you in on who I am as a doctor and fellow human. I also discuss my short but much needed sabbatical from posting content. Never fear however... I will return. I finish up this episode with a short piece I wrote called "The Barefoot Doctor." Because how better to end a se...

In this 99th episode I discuss some general concepts regarding what I can only refer to as a chemical concussion. A concussion is of course an injury to the brain typically as a result of a blow to the head. But I am here to say that a very similar injury can occur simply by exposure to an inflammatory chemical or compound. We will discuss some of the neurology behind a chemical concussion, how it...

In this 98th episode I delve into the curious and rather scary experience of sleep paralysis. I explain sleep paralysis from a modern neurological perspective, offer some stats on risk factors and populations most commonly impacted by this condition, and touch on some folklore around the condition. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of sleep paralysis is the extremely common involvement with "sle...