A Functional Approach with Dr. Jim Chialtas

In this 72nd episode I discuss the aptly-named condition "fatty liver," otherwise known as Steatosis. Just like any other tissue of the body, the liver can begin to accumulate fatty deposits. This can hinder the function of the liver and even lead to destruction and more significant disease. In this episode we will cover just what a fatty liver condition involves, how people get there, w...

In this 71st episode I discuss several concepts around mold exposure. For sure mold is a hot topic in many circles. But how do you know if it is really a significant concern for you? We will discuss the benefits and detriments different types of testing for blood and urine, and how a home / office test, can be an important step. We also discuss some of the more common symptoms of mold exposure, an...

In this 70th episode I riff on some concepts around love. The inspiration for this episode came from a recent discussion prompt I was given at a "philosophy night" gathering. How do we work towards keeping ourselves positive in a world that is desperately trying to pull us into a more negative emotional state? Love. Not love that is based upon how much we are getting from someone else. N...

In this 69th episode we explore some important concepts about the humble laboratory mouse. These little critters come hand in hand with scientific testing and in large part are used to help establish safety profiles for new pharmaceutical drugs. But are they such a good option after all? In this episode we will discuss concepts about mouse genetics, telomere length, mouse cancer, drug safety, why...

In this 68th episode I delve back into ancient concepts around immune system function. Wei Qi is our defensive Qi and can be considered the energetic analog to our immune system. It is always important to remember that immune function is not always just about white blood cells... Looking at it in a more energetic way, and addressing immune function through acupuncture and herbal formulas can be a...

In this 67th episode I do not discuss one of my favorite heavy metal bands, Black Sabbath, but rather I discuss various concepts around Heavy Metal accumulation in the body and how they are tested. Indeed, there are many opinions about this topic and much of what I say here in this episode are fighting words to say the least. It is a sad but true thing in the Alternative Medicine field that we ten...

In this 66th episode I break free from my typical monolog and interview a very special guest... My wife Debbie. Debbie is an artist and offers some very interesting insights into how developing and practicing creative arts can help with wellness. In keeping with my interest of exploring 'outside the box thinking' regarding health and wellness, I could think of no better person to interview...

In this 65th episode I share the 12-month follow up on my cardiovascular case study I have been running on myself. A year ago I found, because I proactively looked, some plaque in one of my coronary arteries. I made some significant changes to diet, lifestyle, and supplement strategies, and look forward to sharing with you all just how it turned out! Cardiovascular health is one area of medicine t...

In this 64th episode I discuss a recent trip I took to a local Southern California hot spring resort. I expand on some of the benefits and concerns regarding soaking in natural spring waters. I end with a story of how a hot spring helped protect me from a massive gluten exposure!

In this 63rd episode we discuss artificial food coloring. The seemingly innocent little candy in the bowl of the restaurant register may not be so innocent after all. We will discuss how these dyes can increase food sensitivity reactions, autoimmunity, and neuroinflammation. And we discuss two studies which look at the impacts of these chemicals on the autistic populations, the ADHD populations, n...

In this 62nd episode we discuss the benefits of a particular medicinal mushroom native to the temperate & sub-artic forests of Northern Europe. The Amanita muscaria mushroom is one you know well without even knowing it. With it's bright red cap and white spots, the Amanita presents itself in all its glory and has secured itself as the quintessential mushroom seen in cartoons, ads, art, etc...

In this 61st episode we explore just how something like gluten, a protein found in grains, can be a significant driving force in the development and expression of anxiety, depression, and really any other mental/emotional concern. We will discuss the role of the vagus nerve, the blood brain barrier, the gut barrier, antibody cross-reaction, GAD enzymes, deep cerebellar nuclei, purkinjie cells, and...

In this 60th episode I just want to offer a short public service announcement to remember to take some time just for yourself. I have found myself beyond busy the past few weeks and missed my Monday podcast launch for the first time. Reality has struck and alas... This week and possibly next will be a bit tight for preparing, recording, and publishing episodes. And so as I dig myself out of my mou...

In this 59th episode, I discuss several concepts that can set up a person to faint. In this discussion we consider how sleep, migraine, exercise, sweat loss, and pain can all work together to promote a fainting episode. I get personal and share about a recent fainting episode that I experienced. It was the first and only time that it has occurred for me (thankfully), and it was quite humbling. Thi...

In this 58th episode I revisit the topic of anxiety. People suffering from anxiety tend to have one more more underlying physiological mechanisms driving the condition. Or rather, mechanisms that have eroded their "stress resiliency" to a levels where anxiety or even full blown panic attack can more easily manifest. We discuss the difference between the more mainstream philosophies as co...

In this 57th episode we discuss concepts around plastics in our environment and just how they can disrupt out physiology. The focus of this topic will be on Bisphenol A (BPA) which is found in an alarmingly high amount of food and beverage containers, medical equipment, credit card receipts, etc. There is no lack of literature here detailing how toxic this compound, and similarly related compounds...

In this 56th episode I discuss some literature regarding the use of classical psychedelic compounds like LSD, Psilocybin, and DMT for all manners of chronic pain conditions. Indeed, conditions like migraine, chronic pain of all kinds, and neurological inflammation/brain injury can all improve by exposure to these compounds. Having said that... These compounds are all still controlled substances an...

In this 55th episode, we discuss the use of the over-the-counter sleep aid, Melatonin. Sometimes we just need a good night of sleep and so we reach for something handy. But is that sleep aid an antihistamine, a prescription sedative, or is it a hormone like Melatonin? We will explore just how Melatonin, a hormone, works in your system, and how chronic use might actually be doing more harm than goo...

In this 54th episode, we discuss concepts around genetic testing. The identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), otherwise known as mutations to one base pair of DNA, can be linked to many different disease expressions and/or physiological mechanisms in our bodies. Testing for them can be helpful in understanding what we may have in store for us, and how we may want to address our h...

In this 53rd episode I delve into dangerous and polarizing territory to discuss Covid-19. Now that we are a couple of years away from so much of the unknown around this novel infection, there is growing amount information available to us. The focus of this podcast today is to look at how proteins on the viral surface, as well as the spike protein itself can be confused with self-tissue. This can l...

In this 52nd episode we discuss some different ways that the prostate gland can be impacted. We will talk about the difference between prostate hypertrophy (enlargement), prostatitis (inflammation), and prostate cancer. We will also discuss several mechanisms which can promote the above mentioned situations. For example... Is there a testosterone concern? Or perhaps Estrogen? Well, it is important...

In this 51st episode we discuss several important topics regarding fat. We will discuss the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, trans fats, oxidized fats, and how they can influence cardiovascular disease. We also discuss how to choose healthier options in the grocery store, and how to cook with fats to ensure you are getting the healthiest outcome.

In this 50th episode I share my gratitude for all of you listeners! And riff a little on happiness to boot!

In this 49th episode I get back to my roots as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM). Traditional Chinese Medicine has a base fundamental association with the concepts of Yin and Yang Theory. Balance. Without balance there is disharmony. We will discuss how Yin and Yang interrelate, how they define each other, how we might see them manifest both clinically and in our daily lives, and...

In this 48th episode I discuss several concepts pertaining to tic disorders. Tic's are definitely on the rise, especially amongst our younger generation, and may be suggestive of something deeper going on in the brain. I will discuss three types of "tics," being motor, vocal, and limbic (emotional) which can occur independently or together. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is yet...