On this episode, Dr Evan discussed the challenges of chronic fatigue and long Covid, with Evan emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying causes and adopting a holistic approach to improve overall health. He also explored daily habits that contribute to a toxic load, the dangers of exposure to chemicals, and the need for a mindset shift towards making small, gradual changes towards a healthier lifestyle. Lastly, he discussed the potential for environmental hazards, such as mold, in old and new buildings, and the long-term effects of Covid-19, also known as 'long Covid'.
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On this episode, Dr. Ritamarie discussed the importance of the endocrine system, insulin resistance, and sensitivity in maintaining good health. She emphasized the need for a personalized approach to addressing these issues, using tools like glucometers and CGMs to gain real-time feedback on patients' health. She also explored the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques in maintaining good health. Additionally, we discussed the benefits of fasting as a healthy practice, introducing a fasting regime developed based on Dr. Valter Longo's research, and highlighted the importance of breaking fasts with the right mindset.
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The ketogenic diet, a subject of much debate, is scrutinized in a comprehensive discussion exploring its origins, applications, and the significant controversy surrounding it. Initially developed in the 1920s as a therapeutic diet to mimic the benefits of fasting for seizure patients, its application has since broadened to address various metabolic health issues, including weight loss, diabetes, and heart disease. This diet shifts the body's primary energy source from glucose to ketones, produced from stored body fat, offering a potential solution to a myriad of health conditions.
However, the keto diet's reputation is marred by its transformation into a "fad diet," often comprising pre-packaged, low-carb foods that fail to provide essential nutrients, thus not supporting proper metabolism or cellular function. A distinction is made between such commercialized versions of the diet and a well-formulated ketogenic plan that emphasizes whole foods, quality proteins, and healthy fats. This authentic approach to keto promises numerous health benefits, including improved metabolic markers, mental clarity, reduced inflammation, and enhanced overall well-being.
Addressing a broader health crisis, the blog post emphasizes the need for a dietary intervention in a world where a significant portion of the adult population faces cardiometabolic challenges. The writer invites readers to join a Metabolic Reset Challenge, aiming to educate on integrating fasting, whole foods, and a reduced dependency on carbohydrates and processed foods into one's lifestyle. This initiative serves as a call to action for individuals seeking a sustainable path to improved health amidst a landscape dominated by quick-fix diets and nutrition misinformation.
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Rachel detailed her struggles with numerous health issues from a young age, leading her on a path to functional medicine. She overcame challenges by addressing root causes through diet and lifestyle changes. She explained how chronic stress keeps the body in a constant "fear" state, impacting cells and health over time. Mental, emotional and environmental stressors all contribute to dysregulation of the HPA axis and stress response.
Rachel recommended starting each day with solo time to self-regulate the nervous system and reduce stress-driven behaviors. Other tips included identifying stress signs, using supplements to calm the stress response, and prioritizing rest. For those experiencing burnout, she stressed the need to completely stop all activities and prioritize self-care and rest through nutrition, movement, social support and relaxing activities to allow the body to heal from chronic stress.
Rachel suggested small, sustainable lifestyle shifts like improving morning routines, food choices, movement habits and mindset to take control of health, focusing first on nervous system support before addressing other issues. By gaining self-awareness and writing personalized wellness goals, one can gain freedom from past limitations. Journaling, expressing emotions and self-love help reprogram thoughts for ongoing mental and physical optimization.
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Dr. Christina Bjorndal shares her journey into naturopathic medicine after a suicide attempt left her hospitalized, revealing how conventional medications failed to fully treat her mental health issues. She emphasizes treating patients holistically by addressing their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, not just symptoms, explaining the four pillars' interconnected roles in health.
Simple changes like reducing sugar, coffee and carbonation intake make a difference by supporting the body's natural functions, while eating nutrient-dense whole foods better nourishes the physical, mental and gut microbiome. Mindfulness practices like recognizing unhelpful thoughts, relaxing into stillness and rephrasing narratives cultivate presence and self-compassion, countering inner critics and core wounds driving self-sabotage.
Dr. Bjorndal unravels cases by considering neurotransmitters, hormones and the immune-gut axis, gleaning insights from symptoms' origins to pinpoint each person's unique macro-system imbalances. Our subconscious dialogues shape our lives, but conscious awareness allows redirecting thoughts to healthier beliefs, as she demonstrated overcoming rejection fears to transform her career path.
