The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast

Overcoming chronic pain requires an understanding of how different parts of the body (and the mind) influence each other in the healing process. Today’s podcast guest, Dr. Perry Nickelston, focuses on healing chronic pain and inflammation via the lymphatic and vascular systems. What this conversation emphasizes, however, is the fact that nothing heals in isolation. Erin and Dr. Perry delve into why blood flow and lymphatic health are essential for the health of the rest of the brain/body (and visa versa), the importance of the vagus nerve, diaphragmatic breathing and how it keeps the lymphatic system pumping efficiently, the lymph and brain health, and more. Perry Nickelston, DC aka ‘The Lymph Doc’ is a Chiropractic Physician with primary focus on treating chronic pain and inflammation via the lymphatic and vascular systems. Owner of Stop Chasing Pain, LLC. International speaker and educator of the self care MOJO series. Lymphatic Mojo, Blood Flow Mojo, Tongue Mojo, Glymphatic Mojo, Visceral Mojo, Vagus Nerve Mojo, Primal Movement Mojo. Our FINAL round of Manifest Your Health™ Beta is now open for enrollment!Sign up now — seats are VERY limited.Timestamps:(10:58) The lymphatic system and its relation to chronic pain(19:45) Why our body parts cannot heal in isolation (33:46) How concentrating on pain can keep you unwell (43:02) Interplay between brain health and lymph health (50:12) The diaphragm: the unsung hero of functional medicine (1:01:09) The importance of the vagus nerve FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/262-lymphatic-system-healingCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

When it comes to weight, body image, and our intentions surrounding it, women often receive messaging that promotes weight loss as salvation AND anti-diet messages that promote body acceptance as the only way. These black and white messages create fragmentation within ourselves and shame surrounding whichever direction we lean. It’s not wrong to have a body image goal, but in order to achieve sustainable change, health and wellbeing, it’s necessary to understand the “why” behind these goals first. Today on the show Erin taps into these “whys” to really get to the root of our body intentions and offers up questions to uncover our own belief patterns. Our second round of Manifest Your Health™ Beta will be open for enrollment next week! Apply now to be kept in the loop — seats are VERY limited.Timestamps:(5:48) Body composition goals, our sense of worth, and shame (9:19) Fragmentation and lack of safety as it relates to food (14:03) Healing Diet Orthorexia and interoceptive awareness (17:50) Why it’s hard to “just let things go” when it comes to emotions, mindset & weight (29:28) How to approach a structured food plan without restriction (36:44) Questions to ask yourself to challenge old belief patterns FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/261-weight-loss-shame-mindsetCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

Setting healthy and appropriate boundaries is vital for our health–people who struggle to prioritize themselves have also been shown to fall ill most often. The question of how to set boundaries, however, may not be the right question to start with. Instead, what we need to unpack first is: why is boundary setting so hard?In today’s discussion with Annie Hopkins, a pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Full Bloom Wellness, Erin and Annie go over the definition of boundaries and why self-identity and self-worth is required for healthy boundary setting. Listeners will also learn the surprising brain-based distinction between compassion and empathy, and how to care for others without burning out.Timestamps:(11:25) What are boundaries? (12:31) Self-worth and self-identity (24:23) Tension between needs for attachment and autonomy (29:40) Common characteristics of ill individuals (40:09) The distinction between compassion and empathyFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/260-boundaries-life-parentingCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

A low FODMAP diet has become the sweetheart of diets in treating SIBO within the functional and conventional medicine world. However, as with any protocol implementation, one must be sure to ask, “what’s the end game here?” In this episode, Erin unpacks the low FODMAP diet, what it is, how it helps to reduce symptoms of SIBO & IBS and why she very rarely implements it with her clients. Erin clears the confusion and helps lay out how to determine if it’s right for you, as well as potential drawbacks to the diet. This episode is great for anyone who is suffering from SIBO symptoms, IBS, or are otherwise curious about transitioning onto or off of a low FODMAP diet. Timestamps:(8:06) What’s the purpose of a low FODMAP diet? (15:28) SIBO and the most misunderstood thing about a low FODMAP diet (21:19) What is a low FODMAP diet? (34:00) Using low FODMAP diet as an elimination diet: two steps (39:49) Transitioning on and off a low FODMAP diet (42:53) Downsides of being on this diet long term FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/259-low-fodmap-considerationsCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

Our minds are one of the most powerful factors in healing–our thoughts and beliefs can make us well, and they can make us unwell. Understanding how your brain is hardwired and learning to believe in the possibility of change can be the key to accessing healing. Today’s episode puts the tool of manifestation on the table to show what’s possible when healing the body. In this conversation, Erin shares parts of her story and how she used manifestation to heal, as well as 5 main nuggets of wisdom that listeners can take away and apply to their own lives. If you’re struggling with fears around healing or feel you’ve exhausted options, this episode is for you!Timestamps:(3:32) The origin story of Manifest Your Health™ (7:27) Hardwired beliefs and the reticular activating system (12:10) Breaking the stress-fear-symptom cycle (13:56) Magnetizing realities through feeling (19:00) Frequency medicine and subconscious reprogramming (30:58) Limiting beliefs and compassionate self-ownership FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/258-manifestation-self-healingCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

This podcast episode discusses the buzzwords of gut health, including leaky gut and microbiome. It explores the impact of a modern lifestyle on gut health and highlights symptoms like weight gain, brain fog, and hormone imbalance. The episode also delves into the causes of leaky gut and provides tips for improving gut health and microbiome diversity.

Staying healthy while traveling doesn’t have to be a challenge–it just takes planning ahead and knowing some tips and tricks! Being in a different place and off your normal schedule can throw your system off-balance, but these hacks will help you stay happy and healthy while on the road.This episode responds to listener questions Erin received after returning from a week-long trip. After listening to this episode, you will come away with healthy snack ideas for the plane, the best supplements to bring while traveling and why, how to eat and drink on vacation without derailing your immune system, post-travel best practices, and more.Timestamps:(2:24) Erin’s go-to travel snacks (13:23) Key supplements for travel: what and why (28:35) Regulating the digestive system while traveling (38:02) Alcohol: what’s a balanced approach? (46:25) Sleep and health in a different environment (51:42) Post-travel lymphatic support FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/256-healthy-travel-hacksCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

When it comes to overall gut and hormonal health, the gallbladder is an unsung hero. It plays a crucial role not just in digestion and your ability to access nutrients in food, but also with detoxification and your hormone systems. Unfortunately early gallbladder issues are often missed in conventional treatment. While there are instances when gallbladder removal is necessary, removing the gallbladder typically doesn’t resolve the gallbladder issue. This is because it doesn’t address WHY the gallbladder issues arose in the first place. Today Erin packs an information-heavy episode all about the importance and roles of the gallbladder, bile production, and alerts you to some of the warning signs you may be having issues with your biliary tract. The purpose of sharing this is so you can not just take in this information and comprehend it, but to really take preventative measures BEFORE you get to the point of surgery.Head to our podcast search page to find episodes on any topic!Timestamps:(7:10) The gallbladder and its functions (12:42) Why gallbladder removal surgery may not resolve gallbladder problems (17:27) Symptoms of sludge and inefficient bile release (20:36) Why bile is so important (36:06) Factors that can increase risk of gallstones (38:53) How to support overall bile production FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/255-gallbladder-bile-gut-hormonesCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

From reproduction to physical well-being, pleasure, and partner connection, sex is a fundamental part of life–and yet, our society is so uncomfortable with the topic that productive conversations about sex are rare. As a result, many people (particularly women) end up with shame and confusion about their bodies, and questions about what’s “normal” go unasked or unanswered.Dr. Jolene Brighten’s work answers these questions. Dr. Jolene is an award-winning board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, hormone expert, and author of the book Is This Normal. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Jolene discuss the origins of shame around sex and pleasure in our culture, answer common questions about odors, discharges, and pain, and explore the orgasm gap and what women can do both physically and with mindset to increase their experiences of pleasure. Head to our podcast search page to find episodes on any topic!Timestamps:(6:18) Why is there so much shame around sex? (19:49) Odors and discharges explained(23:45) The “orgasm gap” and the purpose of orgasms (35:38) How to explore pleasure around sex (38:00) Impact of cyclical hormones on female pleasure (48:13) Virginity as a societal construct FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/254-sexual-health-pleasureDr. Jolene Brighten is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in clinical sexology. Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

Learn about the importance of Secretory IgA in gut health and its impact on preventing infections and food sensitivities. Discover techniques to support the immune system and reduce stress. Explore the use of supplements and probiotics to boost Secretory IgA levels. Get excited for the beta launch of the Manifest Your Health program for self-healing.