The Lab Report

Many functional and integrative clinicians practice medicine through the construct of finding the root cause of chronic complaints and disease management. What if there was a framework in place to help clinicians navigate a focus on health optimization? Dr. Scott Sherr has the answer. Along with Dr. Ted Achacoso, he founded Health Optimization Medicine and Practice (HOMe/HOPe), a non-profit educat...

Many clinicians who are new to functional medicine have a difficult time translating these concepts into their clinical practices. That transition from conventional to personalized medicine can feel overwhelming - but the Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center has the answers! Josiah Bartz oversees this company and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals implement lifestyle-based therapies in t...

In functional medicine, we dig deeper to find the root cause of illness and strive to find personalized strategies to optimize health. However, sometimes even that falls short. Dr. Jade Teta has spent over 20 years treating patients, teaching, and writing about health and wellness. He blends biochemistry and philosophy in a way that inspires us to find our true purpose. In so doing, we can all lea...

The metabolic health crisis continues to grow. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this became even more obvious as it relates to patients’ poor outcomes and lack of resiliency. Dr. Taylor Sittler is the Head of Research at Levels Health, an industry leader in continuous glucose monitoring. His work at Levels aims to help people take control of their diet and lifestyle to improve metaboli...

Dr. Sheila Dean is one of the nation’s premier integrative nutritionists. She is a co-founder of the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy and has practiced functional medicine for two decades. Her insight has not only changed the lives of many patients, but her teaching and mentoring has inspired and empowered a new generation of nutrition specialists and health professionals. In tod...

Your smartphone weather app likely includes insight into the “Air Quality Index”. But what does it mean and why should you care? We don’t often stop to take into consideration the quality of the air we breathe. Environmental toxins are everywhere – food, water, soil, and yes, air. Not only can toxins in the air directly affect your lungs, but there are also long-term system...

Burning extra calories doesn’t have to mean hardcore exercise. Your body uses energy all day long just breathing, digesting food, toe-tapping, and standing. This basic movement is called ‘non-exercise activity thermogenesis’ and at the end of the day can add up to tremendous energy expenditure. But just how much? Can we maximize it for long-term weight management? Are we eating e...

We can all agree that chocolate is delicious. Is it possible that it’s also healthy for us? How many of us stop to consider that it comes from a tree? What is it about that tree and its seeds that can benefit our health? With all that sugar, is chocolate good or bad for us?   Today we discuss where chocolate comes from, the difference between white/dark/milk chocolate, and some int...

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino is a well-known leading researcher who studies nutritional strategies and metabolic-based therapies in neurological disorders, seizures, cancer, and metabolic wellness. He also happens to be a preeminent voice and proponent of the ketogenic diet. Ketosis is your body’s ability to burn fat for fuel when carbohydrates are not readily available – producing ket...

Dr. Jaclyn Chasse-Smeaton is an international teacher and lecturer who is considered a preeminent expert in integrative and functional medicine approaches to infertility. As a naturopathic physician, she has helped hundreds and hundreds of couples conceive- even in cases that seemed hopeless - through her private practice and mentorship programs. In today’s episode, Dr. Smeaton outlines her...

Dr. Pam Smith is one of the most revered teachers and mentors in integrative medicine. After years of practicing emergency medicine, then decades as an Anti-Aging/Metabolic Medicine specialist, Dr. Smith is a go-to resource for many new clinicians. She’s written several books on a variety of precision medicine topics though is widely known for her work in hormone balance and bioidentical hor...

Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting itself from infection, injury, or other insults. Chemical signaling molecules called ‘eicosanoids’ are responsible for creating pain, heat, swelling, and redness. Eicosanoids are made from fatty acids, or dietary fats. We’ve all heard of fish oil and omega-3s being important when it comes to lowering inflammation. But why? In to...

Dr. Christian Jenski is a conventionally trained emergency room physician who has made the huge leap to functional and precision medicine. Many of you will remember him from a prior episode where we discussed the clinical application of functional medicine testing and he offered his real-world examples and testimonials showcasing the power of root-cause medicine. Due to overwhelming feedback from...

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism and is sometimes referred to as the ‘thermostat’ of our bodies. Even minor abnormalities in thyroid function can have far-reaching effects on every organ system. Thyroid diseases are prevalent worldwide and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is common. But many don’t realize that there are basic dietary nutrients that ca...

Any clinician who enters the medical profession understands that a large part of the training is learning the lingo and essentially a new language. Even those who have been in practice for quite some time know that new fields of study emerge, and new terms can be borne out of that. Sometimes the medical jargon can get confusing even though what is being discussed is not new. In today’s episo...

We tend to lean on traditions during the holiday season. As they are handed down through the generations, their origins are often forgotten. Not only do traditions offer comfort and help to unify us, but many also have important health benefits. Today we have some fun with the origins of several holiday traditions and weave in their clinical significance. Make sure to stay tuned for a special Geno...

Cellular respiration is the process of converting our food into energy to fuel the body. It involves many biochemical reactions to create a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - our main energy source. When it comes to ATP production, many of us think about the Krebs Cycle not realizing it is only part of the story. The Electron Transport Chain bears the brunt of the work to keep our cell...

The pancreas is an organ that functions as a gland in the endocrine system by secreting hormones into circulation that help with regulating glucose. However, it also plays an integral role as part of the digestive tract by secreting enzymes to help digest our food. When the digestive functions of the pancreas start to decline what results is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI. In addition to...

Thanksgiving is a time to be mindful and reflect on our many blessings. During the holiday, many of us enjoy dinner with family and friends without stopping to consider the nutritional aspects of traditional dishes. Today, we discuss the important biochemical and nutritional benefits of Thanksgiving dinner items. We also talk about dealing with the stress of the holidays and the many reasons we ar...

The one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to diet and nutrition. What works for some may not be right for all. Diet movements like intermittent fasting, the ketogenic diet, and veganism are becoming increasingly popular and widely adopted. Laura Ligos is a registered dietitian and nutritionist who created a platform called “The Sassy Dietitian” which gives people...

Wearable devices have become an integral part of sports performance in elite athletes. However, many non-athletes have adopted them as well to optimize sleep, stress, and overall health. WHOOP has been the industry leader in the marketplace while continuing to innovate and promote healthy lifestyle and behavior change. Kristen Holmes is the Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP. Not only...

Today’s society has its challenges regarding stress and emotional well-being. We can all agree that mindfulness, community, and better mental health options are needed. Although meditation can be helpful, it can also be intimidating for beginners. Breathwork is a great, simple alternative. Robbie Bent is the co-founder and CEO of Othership – a physical and digital wellness company with...

As a practicing emergency room physician, Dr. Tom McCoy has seen the downstream effects of unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices. While continuing to practice ER medicine, he obtained additional certifications in nutrition and exercise training and is a CrossFit MDL1 medical practitioner. He uses all of this experience and knowledge as part of The Vital Human Project – a coaching program that...

“Gluten” has become a buzzword in the diet industry and vilified in the court of public opinion – perhaps rightfully so. People are continually looking for gluten-free labels in the grocery store and on restaurant menus trying to be healthier. But why? What is gluten anyway? How does it affect our health? Should no one ever eat gluten again?  In today’s episode, we bre...

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a common underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, or nausea are all hallmark SIBO symptoms. When it comes to diagnosis, the gold standard is endoscopic small bowel aspiration. This method is invasive, inconvenient, and not without risk. Breath testing and stool testing are now more com...