Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics

Can skincare influence healthy aging beyond reducing fine lines and wrinkles? In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald welcomes Carolina Reis Oliveira, PhD, CEO and co-founder of OneSkin, for a science-based discussion on cellular senescence, skin aging, and the connection between skin health and longevity. Carolina explains the research behind OneSkin's OS-01 p...

Hormones are about far more than hot flashes. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is joined by urologist and hormone expert Dr. Kelly Casperson for a conversation that challenges conventional thinking about menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and healthy aging. Dr. Casperson explains why menopause may be better understood as a form of hypogonadism...

Resistance training is one of the most powerful interventions for preserving muscle, supporting metabolic health, and promoting healthy aging—but many patients still find it intimidating or confusing. In this episode, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with exercise physiologist Brad Currier, PhD, to unpack the newly updated ACSM resistance training guidelines and discuss practical approaches for presc...

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Richard Horowitz joins Kara Fitzgerald to explore the connection between persistent infections, inflammation, and chronic disease. The discussion highlights emerging research linking Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) to amyloid production and Alzheimer’s biomarkers, along with the clinical implications of Dr. Horowitz’s MSIDS model. Topics...

Montel Williams joins Dr. Kara Fitzgerald to share his decades-long journey with multiple sclerosis (MS), including early neurological symptoms that preceded his diagnosis by years and his recovery following a hemorrhagic stroke. In this episode, created in partnership with MitoQ, the conversation explores MS through a functional medicine lens, with a focus on neuroinflammation, oxidative stress,...

Cardiovascular health and longevity are deeply influenced by aging, perimenopause, and systemic changes that extend far beyond cholesterol markers alone. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Kiran Krishnan to explore the biology of vascular aging, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic changes that emerge in midlife and beyond. As estrogen dec...

Fatty acids remain one of the most debated areas in clinical nutrition, yet many widely held beliefs may not align with current evidence. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Bill Harris, PhD, Founder of OmegaQuant Analytics and co-inventor of the Omega-3 Index, to examine the role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in cardiovascular risk and...

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Tom Fabian, PhD, Senior Educator and Research Specialist at Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, about why higher protein intake doesn’t always lead to better muscle outcomes. Emerging research shows that digestion, microbiome balance, and immune signaling all influence how effectively the body utilizes dietary pr...

As more patients present with digestive sensitivity and increasingly restricted diets, restoring gut resilience has become a central clinical challenge. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, about emerging microbiome science and practical strategies for supporting microbial balan...

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Robert Lustig about the new USDA dietary guidelines and the broader forces shaping nutrition and metabolic health. Dr. Lustig brings a characteristically direct and nuanced perspective on sugar, ultra-processed foods, and food policy—raising important questions about what drives real change. It’s a thought...

Bone loss doesn’t start when fractures happen — it begins years earlier. In this episode, we explore how bone aging accelerates during menopause and the emerging role of the gut microbiome as a driver of skeletal decline. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with research scientists from Sōlaria biō, the company behind Bōndia, about their work studying plant-derived microbes, microbial synergies, and the co...

The continued release of the Epstein files has sparked difficult but necessary conversations across the medical, longevity, and wellness communities. In this candid and deeply reflective episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Dr. Sara Szal and Dr. Brad Jacobs to explore what this moment calls forward from clinicians — ethically, professionally, and pers...

What if obesity and metabolic dysfunction start in the muscle, not the fat tissue we usually measure? In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon unpack this emerging science, from intramuscular adipose tissue to protein needs, anabolic resistance, fatty liver disease, and the role of muscle in healthy aging. A compelling episode with immedia...

Exosomes are becoming one of the most talked-about tools in regenerative medicine, but not all exosomes are created equal. In this episode of New Frontiers, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald talks with Alisa Lask, CEO of Plated Skin, about the science behind platelet-derived exosomes and why their signaling pathways matter for repair, renewal, and changes in skin appearance. We explore how discoveries in cardio...

Functional dentistry is emerging as a powerful missing link in systems-based care. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Staci Whitman, DMD, IFMCP, a leading voice in functional pediatric dentistry and co-founder of the upcoming Institute for Functional Dentistry. Together, they explore how the oral microbiome, airway health, saliva, hormones,...

Beta-glucans might be one of the most overlooked levers in immune resilience, and that has major implications for longevity. Talking with my long-time friends and colleagues Drs. Bob Rountree and Chris D’Adamo reminded me just how powerful this molecule truly is. The clinical reach here is stunning, from immune aging and cancer support to vaccine response, gut–brain effects, and overall resilience...

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with hormone and women’s health expert Dr. Carrie Jones to explore the powerful connection between mitochondrial health and women’s hormones. Together, they unpack how mitochondrial function influences hormone balance, metabolism, energy, mood, and resilience, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. J...

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Dr. Brooke Stubbs, an internal and lifestyle medicine physician who transitioned from hospital medicine to a concierge model focused on prevention and personalization. Together, they discuss how to design a practice that supports both patients and practitioners, from efficient systems and appropriate pricing to functional lab integration. Dr. Stubbs explains how...

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald talks with Sergey Young, founder of the Longevity Vision Fund and XPRIZE board member, about the future of aging medicine. Hear how AI, wearables, new diagnostics, and early screening are making longevity solutions more practical, affordable, and clinically relevant for functional medicine practitioners. Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast...

Hair loss is more than cosmetic. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald explores new research on the OS-01 peptide and its role in targeting senescent cells. Learn how peptide therapy compares to minoxidil, and how hormones, thyroid health, stress, UV exposure, and the scalp microbiome all play a role in thinning hair. Carolina Reis Oliveira, PhD, co-founder o...

Have you ever struggled to understand why some patients just don’t respond as expected, even when you’re following all the usual gut protocols? In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Tom Fabian, who breaks down the latest insights from StoolOMX and GI-MAP testing and shows us how to put them into practice for our most complex cases. We dive into how identifying specific types of inflammation, bile a...

Can functional medicine unlock the secrets to healthy aging? In this special preview of the Functional Medicine is Longevity Medicine™ Masterclass happening on September 17- September 19, 2025, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with three leading voices in medicine and research: - Dr. Bob Rountree: functional medicine pioneer in integrative approaches to health - Dr. Dale Bredesen: internationally rec...

It was a pleasure to sit down with Dr. Nir Barzilai for a conversation that turned out to be both lively and thought-provoking. His decades of research on centenarians, biological age, and the hallmarks of aging have shaped how we think about longevity—and what’s possible when we start targeting aging itself, not just individual diseases. We get into the science behind why some people live 20–30 y...

I’ve been watching the science behind Calocurb evolve over the last year, and I have to say—this is one of the most exciting clinical tools I’ve seen emerge in the metabolic space in quite some time. A hops-derived compound that stimulates endogenous GLP-1, CCK, and PYY—without a prescription or injection? That’s a big deal, especially for patients struggling with appetite regulation, weight plate...

In this very special episode, I have the privilege of turning the tables on Dr. Kara Fitzgerald as we celebrate 10 years of the New Frontiers podcast. I’ve been honored to walk alongside Kara on much of this journey—as a colleague, a collaborator, a mentee, and a friend—and it’s been incredible to witness the evolution of both her work and the field itself. Together, we reflect on the stories, sci...