Eat for Life
Samantha Gilbert
In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to set aside self-care. With long daily to-do lists, many people disregard things that make them miserable. They go on with their lives despite feeling exhausted, sick, or downright depressed. Some can't even afford to stop to take a short breath. As a result, their bodies fail them, and they struggle to understand their ultimate purpose in life. Find the much-needed pause to reinvigorate yourself, right here on the Eat For Life Podcast. This show features free, learn-on-the-go content that can reveal the root causes of your suffering. Connect your physical, emotional, and spiritual health to find your very own path to healing. Tune in to bi-monthly discussions about the next best steps for a fruitful healing process. This non-judgmental space offers everything you need to resolve the challenges hindering you from reclaiming the life you are meant for. Learn how to address your illness, heal from childhood trauma, release negative energy, and experience monumental life change. Listen to conversations that acknowledge your pain and fears, giving you a chance to grow. If you are tired of hearing unhelpful medical findings, signing up for overpriced programs with no actual benefit, or getting unreliable advice from Google, this podcast can help. Dive deep into complex subjects such as neuroscience, epigenetics, functional and micromolecular medicine, trauma and abuse, as well as spirituality and faith. Find out how to apply them to your everyday life and unlock a better version of yourself. This is a safe place to hear advice that addresses depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, eating disorders, and autism. Build a healthy body through proper care of your hormones, heal an autoimmune disease, or get rid of a gut infection you may be suffering from. Most importantly, feel inspired by stories of individuals from all walks of life who overcame their most complicated and enduring obstacles. Host of the podcast is Samantha Gilbert (Sami), a Nutritional Therapy Counselor and Hope Communicator. She specializes in a functional, nutrient-based approach to healing the brain and body using compassionate approaches based on biochemical individuality. In addition to sharing expert advice, she is a living testament to the amazing power of nutrition therapy for those feeling drained of hopes and dreams. Sami had a painful relationship with food caused by biochemical imbalances running in her family. Due to the emotional burden of her childhood trauma, sometimes she ate compulsively, and other times deprived herself of food altogether. Sami also struggled with suicidal ideation, suffered from chronic fatigue, and regularly battled depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. For so long, she felt broken and alone. Trying to fix herself, Sami spent over $100,000 on different practitioners, counselors, and therapists. She tried a myriad of therapies including affirmations, visions quests, and meditation, as well as Prozac, Zoloft, and herbal remedies, that for the most part, made her feel worse. Eventually, Sami found the healing she needed by going back to school to study functional medicine and nutrition therapy. By becoming an expert in these fields, she discovered the best diets for anxiety and depression, the ideal nutrition for mental health, and how food and nutrients balance hormones. Sami’s physical and mental worlds now align as she Eats for Life and turns pain into purpose. This podcast is a bridge to forge empathetic connections and deliver healing advice to people going through a hurtful time. Your health is a puzzle and your unique story matters. Join Sami in putting the pieces back together and getting rid of everything that stops you from the life you are meant to live. You have the right to a healthy relationship with food and your body. Become confident about your passions and unafraid of other people’s opinions. Listen to Eat for Life at http://eatfor.life/podcast/.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 20, 2022 • 43min
Reversing Hashimoto’s and Autoimmune Diseases with Donna Mazzola, PharmD
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.In 2014, it was estimated that 14 million people in the US alone were impacted by this disorder. And women are seven times more likely than men to have Hashimoto’s.When left untreated can create a cascade of debilitating symptoms, which is why today's conversation with pharmacist Donna Mazola is so important.We talk about the four pillars to reversing autoimmune disease and being empowered to take control of your own health.Donna Mazzola, is a Pharmacist who has always had a fascination with natural healing and preventative care. After obtaining a Doctorate in Pharmacy, Donna realized that medicine has a place in healing, but it's the balance between nutrition and medicine that impacts disease. This fascination became an obsession after a personal diagnosis with Hashimotos in 2015.Her disease pushed her to embark on a journey to seek answers and identify the root cause related to the rise in autoimmune and other inflammatory chronic conditions. On this journey she obtained a Master’s degree in Functional Medicine and Human Nutrition and gave birth to Dr.AutoimmuneGirl, her persona and passion to empower people with the knowledge to take control of their health. Donna is on a mission to educate the world on the healing powers of food and give meaning to the concept of food as medicine. Listen to the full episode to hear:Why healing your gut is the first step in managing autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’sThe micronutrients your body needs to effectively generate thyroid hormones and why many of us are deficient in themWhy you need a “control what you can control” approach to environmental toxinsHow stress impacts inflammation and proven ways to mitigate itClick here for links and resources.
Jun 6, 2022 • 43min
How to Optimize Hormone Therapy with Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP
Many people are confused about how to balance hormones and are overwhelmed by all the misinformation about bioidentical hormone therapy for both men and women.It’s easy to be confused because the symptoms of an excess hormone can also mimic symptoms of deficiency. Plus many people are unaware of the role diet and your gut microbiome play in regulating hormones and how nutrient deficiencies and overloads can upset this delicate balance.But understanding these relationships doesn’t have to be so complicated. That’s why I’m honored to have pharmacist and bioidentical hormone expert Jim Paoletti on the show.Jim Paoletti, B.S. Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP is an independent clinical consultant on hormones, nutrition, and wellness. Jim has 40 years of experience with bioidentical hormone therapies in clinical practice, both in retail pharmacy and as a consultant and educator. Jim served previously as Director of Provider Education for ZRT Laboratory, Beaverton, Oregon, and as consultant and Education Director for Professional Compounding Centers of America of Houston, TX.He is a graduate and former faculty member of the Fellowship of Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. Jim has lectured extensively and internationally on all aspects of compounding and BHRT to medical practitioners and consumers, and has several articles published on BHRT and compounding pharmacy issues.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why symptoms alone aren’t enough to assess hormone imbalances and treatment Why gut and microbiome health is the first step to hormone healthWhat we get wrong about men’s hormonal balancesHow long-term use of synthetic estrogen impacts the body and why it’s not always a simple switch to bioidenticalsWhat types of testing your provider should use to accurately assess hormone levelsClick here for the full transcript and list of resources.
May 23, 2022 • 52min
What Is The Main Cause of PCOS? with Dr. Felice Gersh
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. And all too often, women are told that hormonal birth control is the best treatment option.Today, I invited Dr. Felice Gersh back to the show to discuss PCOS and why the pill is not the answer, the different types of PCOS, and the role diet and the gut microbiome play in treating this disorder.Dr. Felice Gersh is board certified in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She taught as an assistant clinical professor at the Keck USC School of Medicine for 12 years and is the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, California.A globally recognized expert on women’s health, Dr. Gersh regularly speaks at conferences around the world and is also the best-selling author of PCOS SOS and her most recent book, Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know about what to expect during the three phases of menopause.Listen to the full episode to hear:How estrogen plays a role throughout the body and how that impacts the varied symptoms of PCOSHow hormonal birth control masks symptoms but can actually make systemic issues worseThe connection between PCOS, gut dysbiosis, and autoimmune disordersHow PCOS impacts fertility, pregnancy, and infantsLearn more about Dr. Felice Gersh:Integrative Medical Group of IrvineInstagram: @Dr.FeliceGershFacebook: @IntegrativeMGIClick here to read my full article about PCOS and the list of research studies.
May 9, 2022 • 51min
Why Meat Isn't the Problem with James Connolly
Have you ever watched a vegan documentary and been so sickened and repulsed that you decided then and there to go vegan?I know I have. And I was vegan for many years until my health fell apart.While it’s evident that factory farming isn’t the answer, the politically-charged vegan agenda isn’t either.As I shared in Episode 50, I’m deeply committed to asking big questions about food sustainability and its impact on our health. So today, I’m sharing an in-depth conversation with James Connolly, the producer of the documentary Sacred Cow.James Connolly is an artist, chef, non-profit founder, and documentary film producer with Archer Gray Productions. He co-founded The Bubble Foundation, a non-profit focused on issues of wellness and food insecurity in inner-city public schools. James’ most recent film is Sacred Cow: The Nutritional, Environmental and Ethical Case for Better Meat, directed by Diana Rodgers.Listen to the full episode to hear:The development of industrialized agriculture in response to the real need to feed more people, and the consequences to nutrition and climate that we live with todayWhy we have to talk about race in the history of farming and agricultural policy in AmericaWhat the animal welfare movement gets right about industrial agriculture and why highly-processed plant-based foods aren’t the answerHow the rebranding of vegan to plant-based by massive corporate interests impacts our food system and nutritionClick here for resources.
Apr 25, 2022 • 27min
Back to Basics: What is Food?
In celebration of Eat for Life’s 50th episode, I’m exploring food.What role does your relationship with food play in your life? Do you see it as good, bad, or neutral? Do you eat to live or live to eat?Is food merely a means to an end or could it have a deeper significance than what the mainstream narrative tells us?And what really is food, anyway?How have we gotten so far away from the most basic definition of what food is, to an industrialized food supply that is making us sicker?Listen to the full episode to hear:How industrialization has impacted our food supply and led to nutrient-deficient foodsThe evolution of beauty ideals and their impact on how and why we eat todayThe long history of the diet industryWhy we need to learn to listen to our bodies for how food makes us feelClick here for the full list of resources and studies.
Apr 11, 2022 • 39min
Mold and Biotoxin Illness with Dr. Lauren Tessier
If you’re struggling with constant brain fog and fatigue despite lifestyle and dietary changes, biotoxin illness due to mold exposure may be to blame.Mycotoxins are dangerous byproducts of some molds and can be stored in your body’s fatty tissues. It’s something I commonly see in women with breast implants and autoimmune disease.Today, Dr. Lauren Tessier joins me for a very important conversation about biotoxin illness resulting from mold exposure.Dr. Lauren Tessier, is a naturopathic physician in Waterbury, Vermont. Her practice, Life After Mold, services those suffering from multi-symptom, multi-system illness, complicated by comorbid conditions such as multiple chemical sensitivities, mast cell activation syndrome, and chronic infections- including Lyme and co-infections.Dr. Tessier serves clients from all over the world, via in-office medical care or through educational wellness consults; she also provides one on one private training for practitioners looking to improve upon their mold-literate clinical skills.Listen to the full episode to hear:The four main types of illnesses that can come from mold exposureWhy mold-related illnesses can be so hard to differentiate from other diseases such as LymeHow mycotoxins impact your brain, nervous system, immune system and moreWhat you need to know about talking to your doctor about mycotoxin-related illnessClick here for resources.
Mar 28, 2022 • 37min
How to Support Your Extreme Picky Eater with Jenny Friedman, MS, RD
If you’re a parent with an extreme picky eater, meals can be an incredibly frustrating experience.Which is why today, I’m talking with Jenny Friedman about picky eating, food aversions, and how parents can better understand and navigate supporting their picky eaters and take some of the stress out of mealtimes.Jenny Friedman, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian who specializes in pediatric extreme picky eating. Known for her playful and approachable style. Jenny is a leading resource for parents and professionals working with children who struggle to eat. She is the author of Stories of Extreme Picky Eating and shares her insight on her website and blog.Listen to the full episode to hear:How the “clean plate club” mentality or bargaining around foods can backfireWays to help your picky eater feel comfortable and confident in trying new foodsWhy your child needs consistent meal and snack timesHow playing with food can help kids engage with uncomfortable textures or sensations on their own termsHow to model healthy eating for older kidsClick here for resources.
Mar 14, 2022 • 39min
Does Zinc Supplementation Deplete Copper? with Dr. Judith Bowman
Our world is filled with dis- mis- and mal- information.I am amazed at how many articles and papers have diametrically opposed views about copper and zinc. So no wonder people are confused about the role these important nutrients play in human health. To be clear copper isn't bad and zinc isn't bad. Ideally, we want them in healthy, functional ranges. But myriad factors, including genetic susceptibility and environmental insults, are common among people that have an inability to regulate metals appropriately, especially copper.When copper is elevated, it becomes a pro-inflammatory agent and can cause a wide variety of issues, including dysregulation of estrogen receptors, leading to PMS and PMDD, high anxiety, depression, ADHD, and even fibromyalgia to name a few.Today I’m joined again by Dr. Judith Bowman to discuss the role copper and zinc play in regulating mood, hormone, and immune system function.Judith Bowman, MD co-founded Mensah Medical in 2008 with her colleague, Albert Mensah, MD. Dr. Bowman combines traditional medicine with the biochemical approach to treat the symptoms of behavioral and cognitive disorders, autism spectrum disorder, depression (including postpartum depression), anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other biochemical imbalances.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why zinc is critical for enzyme production, cell reproduction, and methylationHow zinc supports your body’s ability to regulate minerals and metals in your cellsWhy a healthy balance of zinc and copper is essential for mood regulationThe testing that can accurately reflect your zinc and copper levels, and the tests that are often misinterpretedCopper’s links to reproductive cancers and tumor growthClick here to read the full transcript as well as research and studies.
Feb 28, 2022 • 55min
How Oxalate Toxicity Impacts Your Health with Sally K. Norton, MPH
Kidney stones are a commonly known side effect of oxalate toxicity, but many people are unaware of the other serious symptoms oxalates can create.Over-consumption of oxalates can lead to joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, genital and rectal pain, and other health issues.Oxalate toxicity was uncovered over 100 years ago, yet few doctors are aware of the impact oxalates can have on human health, which is why I’m talking with Sally K. Norton, author of Toxic Superfoods, How Oxalate Overload is Making You Sick and How to Get Better.Sally K. Norton holds a nutrition degree from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Public Health. She uses a research-based approach to teaching about a simple way to reverse even serious health complaints with diet, by avoiding large quantities of natural toxic chemicals and crystals called oxalates. Oxalates are found in many of the foods we think are good for us. Much of her work involves re-educating people who have suffered from illnesses as a result from eating foods that are packed with oxalates.Listen to the full episode to hear:What oxalates are and how they create deposits in your body over timeHow oxalates impact the body across multiple organ systems and are even neurotoxicHow oxalates both exacerbate and cause gut issuesThe “superfoods” that could actually be making you sickWhy you may have periods of being symptomatic long after limiting oxalates in your dietClick here to read the full article as well as resources and research links.
Feb 14, 2022 • 59min
Estrogen Myths, Perimenopause, and Menopause with Dr. Felice Gersh
There is so much misinformation out there about hormones and women’s health, especially estrogen.So I’m excited to share my in-depth conversation with Dr. Felice Gersh about women’s hormones and the different phases of perimenopause and menopause.We discuss the flawed study that generated so much fear and misinformation about estrogen and cancer, the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, the role diet and your gut microbiome play in balancing hormones, and so much more.Dr. Felice Gersh is board certified in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She taught as an assistant clinical professor at the Keck USC School of Medicine for 12 years and is the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, California.A globally recognized expert on women’s health, Dr. Gersh regularly speaks at conferences around the world and is also the best-selling author of PCOS SOS and her most recent book, Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know about what to expect during the three phases of menopause.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why the hormone combination used in the Women’s Health Initiative study caused so many problemsHow estrogen can actually protect you from reproductive cancers and why this changes with ageHow chronic pro-inflammatory states and hormonal imbalances contribute to the negative effects of agingWhy we are seeing more cancers in young, premenopausal womenHow endocrine disruptors in food and the environment contribute to rising rates of autoimmune disorders, cancers, and menstrual disorders like PCOSClick here to read my full article along with research links.
