Holistic Health Heroes

Everyone has heard of SIBO—Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—but what if bacteria aren't the whole story? In this episode, we're diving into SIFO (Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth), an emerging diagnosis that's gaining attention in gastroenterology and functional medicine. If you've struggled with chronic bloating, gas, digestive discomfort, food sensitivities, or persist...

Feeling more anxious, irritable, overwhelmed or unlike yourself lately?  Many women—and men—enter midlife believing their mood struggles are purely psychological. They're told they're stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed.  But what if the real story is more biological than psychological? What if it's not just "hormonal changes" that you have to accept because of you...

Drinking water all day but still battling fatigue, brain fog, headaches, muscle cramps, dry skin, or constant thirst? You may not have a water problem—you may have a mineral problem.  Join me in this comeback episode, as I explore the difference between simply drinking water and achieving true cellular hydration. Learn how the suggested ratios between key minerals like sodium and potassium, demyst...

What if the so-called “midlife crisis” isn’t emotional instability at all, but a very real biological turning point? In this episode, I explore the functional medicine perspective on midlife as a powerful physiological transition driven by hormonal shifts, stress load, inflammation and changing brain chemistry.  learn why energy dips, mood changes, and a deep desire for reinvention often emerge in...

In this episode I welcome Maria Maroney, of Natural Factors. Maria has a Masters Degree in Clinical Nutrition & Integrative Health. She is a Certified Nutrition Consultant registered with the American Nutrition Association and has decades of industry experience.  I thought Maria could refresh our minds and provide a bit of a study guide on some of the potent ingredients that help support our c...

Shingles is not just a rash... it's a message.  If you’ve ever wondered why shingles shows up after stress, burnout or big life transitions, this episode connects the dots. In it, I break down how an old childhood virus can wake up when your immune system is run down, why shingles is more common as we age, and what your nervous system has to do with it. You’ll learn the early warning signs, w...

Your kidneys are silent workhorses — filtering toxins, balancing minerals, regulating blood pressure, and supporting energy every single day. Yet most people don’t think about them until something goes wrong. In this episode, we explore what the kidneys actually do, how they fit into your body’s detox and excretory systems, the early signs they may need extra support, and how to nourish them natur...

 The pancreas is one of the most overlooked organs in the body—until it starts whispering to you. In this episode, we break down what the pancreas actually does, how it controls blood sugar, energy, mood, and digestion, and the subtle signs it may be weakening long before disease shows up.  We explore how long-term stress and viral infections can quietly strain the pancreas, and why symptoms like...

While you've certainly heard the term "leaky gut" by now, Naturopathic Dr. Mark Stengler joins us in this conversation about the truth about gut health and his latest book titled, "The Holistic Guide to Gut Health."  Join us as we discuss just how connected your gut is to your overall health. From skin issues, to mental health and the immune system - the gut is foundationa...

The glymphatic system is a nighttime detox network for your brain protects against neuroinflammation.  It depends heavily on sleep, hydration and lymphatic drainage but what happens when those things slow down? You get: brain fog, anxiety, head pressure, and insomnia.  So many people are dealing with a variety of stressors in their life such as:  Chronic stress Mold exposure Viral infections (EBV,...

The lymphatic system is much larger than most people realize. And unlike the cardiovascular system it doesn't have a pump! Which is why movement -- of almost any kind -- is so critical to maintaining it and therefore your health.  As I mention in this episode, the lymphatic system relies on muscle movement, breathing, hydration and even gravity to help support critical functions like daily de...

Some common symptoms of early liver damage can include: fatigue, hormone imbalance, anxiety, gut symptoms, food intolerances, and difficulty detoxing. When you put it like that, it starts to sound like A LOT of people could have early liver damage!  The good news is the liver is very resilient. In fact, it's the only visceral organ with the capacity to regenerate. That means you have some con...

Join me as I uncover the connection between sluggish bile and reduced gallbladder function to digestion hormones, sleep and anxiety. Not to mention the key combo I discovered recently that has helped me feel like, "I've come back online!"   In this episode, we learn what happens to the gallbladder as we age, why poor bile flow can leave you fatigued or foggy, and how metabolites, ne...

Join me as I welcome Nick Stern to the Holistic Health Heroes podcast! We wanted to host Nick because so many of our customers at Nature's Garden in Naples, Florida are raving about his unique formulation called "Vascular Defense."  Nick is a former competitive athlete and a self-directed nutraceutical researcher with over 50 years’ experience in health and wellness.  Not only has h...

Some say endometriosis is a hormonal problem. Too much estrogen means surgery and drugs. And while that seems to have been the approach for decades, some doctors are calling that for what it is -- ineffective and incomplete.  Sure, some people out there may, in fact, require surgery. I won't suggest that it's totally off the table. I'm admittedly not an expert on that! BUT - there s...

Do you ever feel like you just sipped a hot cup of lava? Or maybe you feel like your tongue, lips, gums or throat is burning, tingling or just plain scalding!  It might be Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). And if it is... there are things you should know to help relieve this pain because the last thing you want is something you are doing in your life to be contributing to such a condition. In this epi...

If you've ever had a bout with vertigo then you'll want to tune in and find out what is going on. Look at the possible triggers and things you can do to help resolve the most common type of vertigo that most people are suffering from: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Plus, learn what could be making your vertigo more serious and what you'll want to rule out.  I had one e...

If there is one word that strikes fear, it's cancer. But with alarming rising rates it is starting to feel like no matter who you are, you should figure out what your plan of attack will be if you are delivered such a diagnosis.  Even really healthy, young people these days are being told they have cancer.  I'm not here to tell you what to do. I can only share what I  have learned, heard...

Pain. Let's face it, it really sucks! And it's all too common. Not to mention that many people, including medical professionals tell us that it's inevitable as we age. Well, I for one want to reject that notion! I want to find out what I can do in my daily life (and not do, for that matter) that will really transform any level of pain I have to feel in my life.  So, join me as I fin...

When you hear creatine do you think bodybuilders and athletes? I did too, until I read up on this very safe supplement. Now, calling it safe doesn't mean it's for everyone so don't get it twisted! :)  But come along with me as I uncover some myths and facts, the format considered the gold standard, as well as the candidates that creatine would be great for, as well as contraindicati...

From ancient Mediterranean folk medicine to 19th-century European reports using olive-leaf tea for fevers, the leaf has a long, practical history. And we still can use it today!  Join me as I offer you an olive branch (wink) into the world of tools for wounds, infections  fevers and much more!   From blood pressure to cardiovascular health, improving brain function, blood sugar regulation and diab...

Is melatonin just a sleep aid... or is it a miracle?  From its powerful role as the body’s master clock to its antioxidant and immune-modulating effects, melatonin has become a subject of growing interest in holistic and functional medicine. Join me in this episode, as I dive into promising research in areas like cancer, autoimmune conditions, and inflammation, as well as the potential downsides o...

If you've got Crohn's Disease then listen up! It's important to tackle this condition with a holistic/functional medicine perspective. Why? Because even traditional MD doctors are saying that conventional treatment alone isn't enough to put it in remission.  But real people out there (including some doctors themselves) have made a full recovery!   Tune in as I profile some &quo...

Just as the Earth nourishes the plants that sustain us, so too does it offer us substances like Shilajit—ancient minerals and nutrients forged over centuries—to restore balance and vitality to our bodies. Have you noticed just how popular this black resin has become? I have! And that made me curious to look into it.  Tune in and hear about all the things I learned about shilajit... from potential...

So much pain and suffering goes undiagnosed around these conditions I thought it high time to focus in on them and find an expert out there to recommend. Even though I'm just getting familiarized with Dr Rodger Murphree, I can tell... he knows his stuff.  I hope you enjoy learning along with me as I share a few bits from his book as well as some things I learned as I studied up on this topic...