Holistic Health Heroes

Let's take stock and celebrate! It's episode 100 and I'm reflecting on our top 5 most downloaded episodes to look back at some of what we've learned so far in recording 100 episodes.  PLUS, I'm answer some of your questions sent in via the "text" notifications at the bottom of these show notes!  I'm also planning on tackling some BIG topics going forward, tu...

It's back-to-school time and that can come with a lot of stress! Even if that is not in your schedule right now, perhaps you're dealing with a huge life event, a job change, financial difficulties or any other life happening that is challenging your mood.  I want you to know that there are things that can help you bust the blues and shift your mood. Join me as I share some of the latest...

Do you experience energy crashes, carb cravings or mood swings? What about brain fog and difficulty concentrating? When you do eat, do you experience fatigue?  These all could be a signal that your body is experiencing blood sugar dysregulation. And that's a big deal because it indicates serious metabolic consequences including increasing your risk of cardiovascular and cognitive problems.  ...

Neuropathy is more than pins and needles. Did you know at the core, it's nerve damage or nerve dysfunction?  What type of neuropathy are you experiencing? I just learned there are multiple types! It's more than peripheral. I found there are three types of neuropathy and your approach to treating them might vary.  Join me as I uncover the many causes that can contribute to neuropathy, wha...

Red, itchy, inflamed and blotchy skin patches can be painful. These symptoms could be signs of dermatitis or eczema.  But don't make the mistake of only treating this issue topically. Skin outbreaks are a little tap on the shoulder that something deeper is going on.  That brings us to the gut-skin axis. If your gut is inflamed or imbalanced, you will likely have some type of skin issue.  But...

Ever wonder, why is zinc recommended to me when I get a cold? What is it actually and how does it support my body?  I have!  So, I decided to spotlight this trace mineral that we need for a variety of body processes. In this episode I dig into why zinc is helpful for a cold, how it actually supports your body, and what does zinc deficiency might look like.  And to continue to inspire your effort t...

When you're undergo a stressful life event like moving, divorce or a health crisis of a loved one you are likely to get nutrient deficiencies.  In order to overcome those and get back to optimal health and wellness, you're going to have to address those deficiencies so nothing worse comes from it down the chain (so-to-speak).  I get my vitamins and mineral supplements mentioned in this p...

"We don't bounce back, we emerge as someone new," is one of the poignant soundbites my guest shared in this episode.  Kimberly Hand is a wellness and lifestyle expert and the host of The Cinnamon Effect podcast… which I had the pleasure of being a guest of recently.   Kimberly is passionate about helping others live a sweeter, healthier and more fulfilling life -- and that's so...

Onelly Hernandez is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Coach, and the founder of AIP Conmigo.  As a Hashimoto’s warrior herself, Onelly helps women with thyroid disorders and autoimmune conditions lose weight, boost energy, and ditch chronic fatigue, without crash diets or cookie-cutter programs.  Join us as we talk through her own personal journey with Hashimoto&a...

Sometimes when you hear a phrase over and over again and then you hear something that goes against that line of thinking, it can be confusing.  That's why I wanted to shine a light on the fact that there are SOME seed oils that actually have healing properties.  For instance, the star of this show is black cumin seed oil, which as the following benefits:  Immune modulation – Helps balance an...

It's time to start asking, "why is my body inflamed to begin with?" when you have skin issues. Whether it's a 25 year old or a 45 year old, skin issues can feel debilitating, wreaking havoc on confidence and setting you back from your happiest, healthiest self.  Let's dig in on skin health, uncover the gut-skin axis and find out what's really going on with your skin i...

Ahh, lavender. Just saying the word makes me do a deep exhale. There's something special about medicinal effects you can get by just breathing!  After a very stressful few weeks, I've had to remind myself just how potent the herb lavender can be. And all the uses, from culinary, to tea and tinctures, not to mention essential oils.  If you're interested in picking up some lavender th...

Has there been an increase in anxiety in the last few years (2020-2025)? Oh yes, indeed there has been. Like what you ask?  Here are a few according to the American Psychiatric Association:  corrupt government officials (65.2%),  people they love becoming seriously ill (58.4%),  cyberterrorism (58.3%), and the  possibility of the U.S. becoming involved in another world war (55.0%)  to name a few. ...

NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the body's most powerful antioxidant. It helps neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation and support detoxification.   While NAD+ or (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme essential for energy production and DNA repair. It plays a key role in mitochondrial function, helping cells generate ATP (cellular energy).   NAC and NAD both provide criti...

Is red light therapy here to stay or is it just another fly-by-night health trend?  With a history that goes back to 1967 (from what I found anyway), turns out there are a lot of studies that say photobiomodulation (aka red light therapy) does have a lot of effective uses for our health and wellbeing.  Tune in and find out all the names for this type of therapy, several studies that provide eviden...

For over 33 years, Sharik worked to help people eliminate pain from their lives as a physical therapist and rehabilitation counselor (PT, MRC). In part because he had overcome many traumatic events throughout his life that caused great pain.   His life experiences drove him to seek out natural solutions for chronic pain. Which  led him to focus on resonance and its effect on our nervous system.  A...

Vitamin D deficiency is very common in the US. It's estimated that approximately 42% of adults and about 50% of children aged one to five are affected.  While it is a fat-soluble vitamin, it’s actually a hormone in how it functions. But what does that mean?  In this episode, I'll share with you what I learned about vitamin d, optimal levels, tests to get and who is most likely to get it....

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting someone I consider a "Holistic Health Hero": Nina Teicholz.  As I said in episode 4 of this podcast, I really admire the extensive research and work Nina did in her book The Big Fat Surprise. And I'm grateful she may be highly involved in new dietary guidelines that may be rolled out in December 2025.  I always get asked, "what do you eat?...

With any health challenge that you may be experiencing, the first thing to tackle is how you think about it. Because that will surely dictate your approach in how you deal with it. Dr. Abbey Jo Shulkin, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, joins me in this episode to shine a light on Traditional Chinese Medicine. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, from herbal medicine, to lasers and...

[SIGN UP For Virtual Healthy Book Club: https://ngvitamins.com/podcast/ ]  Inflammation is a big problem for us all. From our modern diet and food system to chronic stress it seems we just can't escape it!  And because that's the case it's often a big cause of pain. So what does a person do when they are battling pain on an ongoing basis? Unfortunately many times it's run to th...

I'm in the school of thought, like Ben Franklin that, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." So while I know western medicine has it's suggestions and will likely help some people quite a lot... I want to go deeper, to the root cause.  I want to find out what we can do, things in our own power, to help resolve frozen shoulder if we get it. And perhaps even more impo...

Brooke McPoyle specializes in helping people tap into their highest potential through breath, sound and movement. A former Division I athlete and professionally trained singer, she brings a unique perspective to performance, resilience and well-being.  Brooke is founder of MusicalBreathwork.com, a pioneering platform that merges breath science, fascia research and sound frequency to optimize human...

NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are some of the most widely used over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications for pain relief and inflammation. Most accept them as "normal" but not me!  I want holistic alternatives. Why? Because I know there are risks - and some of them scare the heck out of me.  Tune in as I raise awareness to some of the fairly serious health impl...

In the last five years, we have all lived through some heavy stuff. But if you were a nurse, well, my heart goes out to you.  Did you know? since 2020...    Many nurses left the profession due to stress, burnout, and poor working conditions.  Workplace violence and aggression increased, particularly in hospitals and ER settings. Some nurses experienced pay cuts or wage stagnation, despite the incr...

Buying "healthy" isn't always easy. What's better organic or local? What is the difference between cage free and free range? Let's clear up the confusion in this episode all about the healthiest labels.  Resources Mentioned:  How I wash my produce:  Grapefruit seed Extract: https://ngvitamins.com/product/grapefruit-seed-extract-liquid-concentrate-4-oz/ P2 fruit and Veggie...