Solving the Puzzle with Dr. Datis Kharrazian

In today’s episode, Randy Vawdrey dives into cardiovascular prevention with a special focus on coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing. He guides us through why traditional cardiovascular risk factors like LDL cholesterol, HDL, and BMI may not be as predictive of heart attack risk as once thought, and how CAC scores can provide a much clearer picture. You'll hear about the latest research, practical...

Today, we’re diving into the world of Omega 3 fatty acids with Randy Vawdrey, NP-C. He unpacks why they are so critical for brain and cardiovascular health, how dietary patterns and supplement choices can make or break your Omega 3 levels, and what the latest research tells us about optimal dosing and safety. Whether you're a clinician, health professional, or simply looking to optimize your own w...

Today, we’re diving into the enigma of chronic pain and fatigue. Dr. Kharrazian unpacks the science and physiology behind pain, revealing that it’s not simply a sensory experience but an intricate interaction between our nerves, brain, and even our emotions. From explanations of hyperalgesia and allodynia to the crucial role the limbic system and amygdala play in amplifying or diminishing our expe...

In this episode, Leslie Fuller, ND focused on the often-overlooked musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause. She discusses strategies for effective management, including nutrition, resistance training, hormone assessment, and addressing both structural and functional health. This episode offers healthcare professionals and patients evidence-based approaches...

In this episode, Jillian Moehle focused on the latest evidence-based strategies for recognizing and treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). She explored newly updated guidelines from the American Urological Association, emphasizing the importance of proactive screening, a comprehensive approach to patient history, and the range of therapeutic options available, from non-hormonal treatm...

In this episode, we’re diving into the complex and often misunderstood topic of menopause and perimenopause. Despite affecting every woman who lives into late life, menopause has long been underfunded, understudied, and minimized both culturally and medically. Today, we’ll explore why clinical care for women in the menopause transition has lagged behind, examining the deep historical roots of gend...

In today's episode, Dr. Mark Holthouse dives into the fears surrounding breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy, separating myth from evidence with a critical look at the real data. Our expert speaker unpacks the latest clinical trials and position statements, clarifying the nuanced relationship between various hormone therapies and breast cancer risk. We’ll explore what the research says ab...

In today’s episode, we dive into the “clinical faces of fatigue.” Join Datis Kharrazian as we explore why some individuals never fully recover from illnesses or injuries, the intricate link between mood and brain energy, and why two patients with similar medical conditions like anemia can have vastly different experiences of fatigue. We’ll unravel how mitochondrial dysfunctions, both inherited and...

In this episode, functional medicine clinician Dr. Rajka Milanovic Galbraith dive into the world of peptides for recovery, exploring both oral and injectable options. She breaks down the latest clinical insights on popular peptides like BPC157, KPV, Lorazatide, TB4, and PeptiStrong, sharing case studies and practical strategies for supporting gut health, autoimmune recovery, muscle maintenance, an...

In this episode, Rajka Milanovic Galbraith, MD, dives into nutrigenetics and its transformative impact on mental health and chronic conditions. Using real-life patient stories, Dr. Galbraith illustrates how genetic insights and targeted nutrient support can unlock profound change. We’ll explore personalized approaches from thought leaders like Amy Yasko, Ben Lynch, William Walsh, and Bob Miller, d...

In this episode, we dive into the world of oxidative stress, GST gene patterns, and hormone genetics, uncovering how these factors influence chronic illness and overall health. You'll hear about innovative testing strategies, gene patterns seen in chronically unwell patients, and real-world case studies that illustrate the practical steps clinicians can take to restore health and balance. Whether...

In this episode with Dr. Datis Kharrazian , we dive into the mechanisms that underlie pain, exploring key terms like nociception, hyperalgesia, allodynia, and sensitization. You'll learn how pain signals travel through first, second, and third order neurons, why some injuries result in referral pain, and how chemical mediators and the sympathetic nervous system amplify pain perception. We’ll break...

Today, we're diving into the often overlooked signs and symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies, from vitamins A, D, and K to magnesium, zinc, and beyond. You'll discover how subtle clues like gritty eyes, dream recall, muscle cramps, and even pink tongues can signal deeper nutritional gaps impacting mood, energy, and neurological health. Whether you're a practitioner seeking a sharper clinical eye...

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of skin health, from what radiant, healthy skin should look like to the many signals our skin can send about underlying health issues. We'll explore common skin manifestations, nutritional deficiencies, and practical strategies to support skin, from dryness and discoloration to eczema, rosacea, and more. Whether you're a practitioner or someone interest...

In this Practitioner Spotlight episode, we sit down with Dr. Darla Booth, a seasoned chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner based in Los Gatos, California. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Booth has transitioned her practice to focus on complex functional medicine cases, with a special emphasis on autoimmunity. Join us as Dr. Booth shares how discovering autoimmune markers in her own and her...

In this episode, Dr. Liz Lipski, a leader in clinical nutrition and author of Digestive Wellness dives into the foundational practice of nutrition-focused physical assessment. Dr. Lipski explains how simple observations like cracks in a friend’s tongue over dinner or dark circles under a child’s eyes, can become powerful clues in solving chronic and complex health puzzles. She emphasizes the impor...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the impact of mitochondria on chronic conditions like fatigue, pain, and depression. You’ll hear why optimizing basic factors like sleep, movement, and stable blood sugar isn’t just “wellness” advice, but can actually be game changers for patients struggling with conditions such as leaky gut, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia, or neuropathic pain. Datis Kharrazian unp...

In this episode, Dr. Kharrazian dives into one of the most challenging and important topics facing both patients and practitioners: chronic fatigue and pain syndromes. If you've ever wondered why fatigue and pain are such stubborn and complex complaints, or why so many patients feel stuck despite having normal lab results, this conversation is for you. Dr. Kharrazian explores the critical role of...

Dr. Dave Rakel introduces the ECHO model for medical decision making, a practical framework that evaluates four key factors: Efficacy (evidence of benefit), Cost, Harm (evidence of harm), and Opinion (patient preferences and bias). He emphasizes that treatment decisions should balance not only how well something works, but also its potential risks and its alignment with patient values. He explains...

In this lecture, Dr. Dave Rakel explores the placebo effect—"the ability to stimulate self-healing without deception"—and reveals how perception, connection, and empathy are among the most powerful healing mechanisms available to practitioners. Dr. Rakel unpacks the neuroscience of perception, showing how our conditioned minds create physical responses that determine health or disease. He shares g...

In this Practitioner Spotlight, Dr. Dave Boyton—a Cincinnati-based functional medicine specialist—shares how he transformed his practice by integrating neurological assessment with functional medicine. After his wife was misdiagnosed with multiple autoimmune conditions, Dr. Boynton dove deep into functional medicine and discovered what most practitioners miss: the neurological component. Dr. Boyto...

In this episode, our guest speaker, certified physician assistant Danielle Valoras explores breast implant illness (BII)—a clinical reality that remains widely misunderstood despite affecting millions of women. She unpacks why BII lacks an official diagnosis code, yet presents with a consistent constellation of symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, rashes, anxiety, and autoimmune-lik...

In this episode, our guest speaker, certified physician assistant Danielle Valoras explores the essential role of the lymphatic system in women with breast implants. She explains how the lymphatic system serves as the body's drainage and immune defense network, and how disruptions in lymph flow, particularly from foreign objects such as silicone implants, can trigger a cascade of chronic inflammat...

In this episode, certified physician assistant Danielle Valoras shares her expertise cultivated from over two decades in medicine—and a decade devoted to functional medicine—by diving into an issue affecting millions: breast implants and their true impact on women’s health. Drawing from both scientific research and her firsthand clinical experience working with the breast implant population for th...

In this episode, Dr. Yousef Elyaman breaks down the essential nutritional strategies for reversing fatty liver disease—from macronutrient optimization to the evidence-based power of the Mediterranean diet—making complex dietary interventions immediately actionable for practitioners and patients. We explore why replacing carbohydrates with protein and saturated fats with unsaturated fats reduces he...