BetterHealthGuy Blogcasts

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about the role of mold dogs as a tool used in mold inspection of an indoor environment. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Bill Whitstine.  Bill Whitstine, CMT owns and operates the Florida Canine Academy, which trains bomb, drug, money, weapons, termite, mold, and accelerant detection canine teams.  Several years ago, Bill identified the growing problem of mold in homes and businesses and worked with researchers to further investigate the possibility that dogs could be trained to detect molds.  Bill founded Mold Dog, a subsidiary of the Florida Canine Academy, to train and certify mold-detecting dogs.  Bill has been a leader in the field of canine training since 1989 when he was the first person to attend the Maine State Police Canine Academy in Accelerant Detection.  Bill is the author of the only published book on accelerant detection canines and was the founding president of the Canine Accelerant Detection Association as well as the International Termite Detector Dog Association, which are both international organizations.  Bill has been featured on numerous shows, including several segments on the Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel. Key Takeaways: How are the dogs protected from any potential harm? What safeguards are put in place to keep the dogs healthy? How are dogs identified to become part of the training program? What is the training program for a mold dog? How many different types of mold can the dogs detect? Are the dogs able to identify Actinobacteria or endotoxins? What is the experience of a mold dog inspection? Can the dogs sense mold in an attic or crawlspace? Do appliances need to be moved to optimize the inspection? How often are dehumidifiers a source of mold exposure? Could there be false negatives or false positives? What should be done in the home in advance of the dog's visit to prepare for the inspection? How many issues does a mold dog alert on in an average inspection? Connect With My Guest:  http://Mold-Dog.com Interview Date: March 18, 2024 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode199. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Dr. Werner Vosloo discusses DNA adducts and their impact on chronic illness. Topics include environmental toxicant exposure, DNA adduct testing, gene expression, treatment strategies, and mental factors. He also explores cellular health, sources of DNA adducts, vagus nerve stimulation, IV therapies for removal, ecological balance in Lyme disease, recovery protocols, and herbal products for chronic illness.

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn the role of Toxoplasmosis in chronic illness and approaches for addressing it. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Dr. Eboni Cornish.   Eboni Cornish, MD, a highly regarded  physician, provides integrative medicine services to a diverse global patient community.  Currently serving as the Functional Medicine Director of the Amen Clinic East Coast Division, she specializes in autoimmune diseases, Lyme disease, environmental toxicity, gut imbalances, neurology and various other chronic conditions.  Employing a holistic approach, Dr. Cornish identifies the root causes of health issues within the body’s biological systems, offering comprehensive treatment to adults and children. Her treatment philosophy is integrative and evidence-based.  Within Amen Clinics, Dr. Cornish has been instrumental in developing the Neuroinflammatory Intensive program—a two-week inpatient initiative addressing neurological complications arising from chronic infectious diseases, Lyme disease, mold illness, and other chronic inflammatory conditions including SPECT imaging.  Dr. Cornish’s educational journey includes earning honors at Brown University for her undergraduate studies and obtaining her medical degree from Brown University Medical School. She further refined her skills through a family medicine residency at Georgetown University.  As a Howard Hughes Medical Fellow, Dr. Cornish conducted translational research at the National Human Genome Research Institute NIH, working under Francis Collins, MD, PhD.   She currently serves as the Treasurer of the board for the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society and a fellow of the Institute of Functional Medicine.  Key Takeaways: What symptoms present in those with Toxoplasmosis? What conditions might Toxoplasma contribute to? How prevalent is Toxoplasma? How do people acquire Toxoplasma? What role do cats play in the transmission of Toxoplasma? Can Toxoplasma be transmitted by ticks? What are the best methods for testing for Toxoplasma? What is observed in these patients using SPECT scans? Does mold exposure potentially make Toxoplasma worse? Can Toxoplasma be a trigger for mast cells? How important is immune modulation as part of a treatment protocol? What pharmaceutical and natural options have been most helpful for treating those with Toxoplasma? Is there a place for homeopathy or frequency medicine? What is the connection between Toxoplasma and calcification? How important is limbic system retraining in these patients? Connect With My Guest:  http://AmenClinics.com Interview Date: February 23, 2024 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode197. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Justine Stenger, a nutrition and physical education graduate, discusses lipid therapies and the significance of healthy lipid balance in optimizing cellular health. The podcast covers topics such as tests for exploring cellular health, the optimal balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3, the role of phospholipids in supporting cell membranes, the connection between PC, bile flow, and SIBO, and the benefits of TUDC in mitochondrial health and protein folding.

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about heavy metals, metal allergy, and Type IV delayed hypersensitivity responses.  About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Shari Guess.  Shari Guess almost died from severe allergies due to metal hypersensitivity after a litany of orthopedic surgeries, all performed within a few short years, which implanted a large amount of metal and dental hardware in her body.  At the time she got sick, she was working as a full-time realtor and attending college, studying pre-med, hoping to eventually become a Physician’s Assistant.  After being bedridden for nearly 3 years and feverishly researching everything she could to help find out the cause of her severe systemic symptoms, she had a lucky break in the case and was able to connect the dots with all of her symptoms. Suddenly everything made sense!  Shari has undergone numerous surgeries to date to remove and revise hardware. These surgeries have restored her to near-full health as the symptoms related to her metal allergies began to subside by leaps and bounds immediately following the procedures.  While in the thick of her illness, due to a compromised immune system, she also acquired Lyme Disease, Alpha Gal Syndrome, and several other autoimmune diseases.  Shari is blessed to have been able to put almost all of that behind her, experiencing near complete relief from the symptoms of Lyme and co-infections after LymeStop treatment in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, along with the restoration of her immune system through the removal of the metals and implementing limbic system retraining. Key Takeaways: - What is a Type IV hypersensitivity reaction? - What is the difference between a Type IV hypersensitivity reaction to heavy metals and a mast cell reaction? - Is there an overlap between metal hypersensitivity and autoimmunity? - What role do medical implants play in triggering metal hypersensitivity? - Can IUDs or hernia mesh trigger type IV hypersensitivity reactions? - Might metal allergy play a role in Stiff Person Syndrome? - Should titanium dioxide in supplements be avoided? - Might heavy metals lead to EMF hypersensitivity or EHS? - Is gadolinium toxigenic or immunogenic or both? - What is MELISA testing? - What is patch testing? - Can detoxification of heavy metals be done too aggressively? - Is there a place for immune modulation in dealing with metal allergy? - How might tools like LDN, LDA, or LDI be helpful? - What is the role of the low nickel diet in metal allergy? Connect With My Guest:  http://HeavilyMetalled.com Interview Date: January 10, 2024 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode195. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about "Sacred Psychiatry" and healing through the integration of heart, mind, body, soul, the biosphere, and the cosmos. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Dr. Judy Suzanne Reis Tsafrir.  Judy Suzanne Reis Tsafrir, MD, is a holistic healer, activist, artist, and gardener with a private practice of holistic psychiatry, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and psychoanalysis located in Newton, Massachusetts.  She is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute and teaches and supervises at the Cambridge Health Alliance.  She has particular interest in combining spiritual and developmental approaches to healing, helping patients wean from psychiatric medications, and treating complex chronic medical conditions that present psychiatrically, including mold toxicity, mast cell activation, and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  She is a practitioner of a variety of energy healing and esoteric modalities including astrology, Tarot, Shamanism, Body Intuitive, and Reiki.  Spiritually, she is drawn to Animism, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Taoism, Wicca, and Quakerism.  Her practice is dedicated to healing through the integration of heart, mind, body, soul, the biosphere, and the cosmos.  Key Takeaways: Why does allopathic medicine fail with chronic health conditions? What is the connection between autoimmunity, inflammation, and psychiatric conditions? Might attempting to improve our health be working against our "heavenly mandate"? What are some practical things that can be done to foster connectedness? Can acupuncture act as a connector to the spiritual realm? How might rose and geranium essential oils support the limbic system? Is there a place for psychedelics such as Ketamine in supporting mental health? What foods contribute to neuroinflammation? How do energy vampires promote sympathetic dominance? How much of a focus on regaining health should be in the mental / emotional realm vs. the physical realm? How important is working on the limbic system? What is the connection between MCAS and mental, emotional, or limbic health? Has COVID been another contributor to psychiatric conditions? Does EMF play a role in chronic illness? How often does mold exposure contribute to psychiatric conditions? Do patients with EDS improve their symptoms with treatment? How is autonomic dysfunction assessed and addressed? What is the role of LDN in the clinical toolbox? Connect With My Guest:  http://JudyTsafrirMD.com Related Resources:  Sacred Psychiatry: Bridging the Personal and Transpersonal to Transform Health and Consciousness Interview Date: December 13, 2023 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode194. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about the root causes of CIRS including Actinos and endotoxins. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Dr. Eric Dorninger.  Eric Dorninger ND, LAc is a Registered Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist. He graduated from Bastyr University, the leading accredited university for science-based natural medicine.  Prior to medical school, he received his B.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1997. During this time he also finished his E.M.T. (Emergency Medical Technician) training and volunteered at Porter Care Hospice in Denver. This dual exposure of medical perspectives laid down the roots for Dr. Dorninger’s integrated approach to diagnosis, treatment, and healing.  Following undergrad, Dr. Dorninger served as an EMT for the Cranford First Aid Squad in Cranford, NJ. He then completed his doctorate in naturopathic medicine and his master’s degree in acupuncture at Bastyr University in 2003, after which he returned to Boulder, Colorado to complete a 2-year residency in naturopathic primary care.  In 2005, Dr. Dorninger founded Roots and Branches Integrative Health Care, a clinic dedicated to “Mystery Illness” where he focuses on elucidating the underlying causes of unrelenting chronic illness.  Dr. Dorninger is not concerned with what you have as much as he is with why you have it. He has dedicated his professional life to a deeper understanding of differential diagnosis based in the tradition of “Remove Obstacles to Cure.”  After the 2013 floods in Boulder, Dr. Dorninger noticed that patients who were initially getting better suddenly regressed. Moreover, patients he was struggling to diagnose got worse.  Fortunately, he was guided to the honest, data-driven, peer-reviewed, reproducible published work of Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker on mold and biotoxin illness. In 2014 Dr. Dorninger signed on for his Shoemaker certification training.  Dr. Dorninger is a certified Shoemaker practitioner and remains true to the Shoemaker protocol.  According to Dorninger, diagnosing underlying causes and facilitating accurate treatment plans is a grind. At Roots and Branches, we embrace the grind.  In addition to private practice, Dr. Dorninger teaches functional medicine for Apex Energetics, practices Jiu-Jitsu, skis, and enjoys watching his biotoxin-genetically susceptible kids thrive post chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) treatment. Key Takeaways: What are the root causes of CIRS? What is the difference between endotoxins and lipopolysaccharides? Do Actinos or endotoxins trigger MCAS? Should Actino and endotoxin testing always be done along with the ERMI? Is there still a place for HLA-DR? What has GENIE revealed about patients with CIRS? How should Actino and endotoxin testing be evaluated? Are soil habitat Actinos a contributor to CIRS? What is the role of Actinos on the skin? What drainpipe maintenance should be considered to reduce exposure to Actinos? What steps should be taken to optimize our sleep location? Do air filters play a role in reducing Actinos and endotoxins? What is the role of Cholestyramine in dealing with Actinos and endotoxins? Can Actinos be found in the blood? Might there be a place for antimicrobial interventions in dealing with Actinos? Connect With My Guest:  https://DrDorninger.com Interview Date: November 29, 2023 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode193. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about cutting edge approaches to support children dealing with autism. About My Guests: My guests for this episode are Dr. Christian Bogner and Alex Zaharakis.   Christian Bogner, MD, FACOG, CFMNP is a lecturer, educator, and experienced practicing clinician. He has four children, with his oldest affected with autism.  He is a certified Functional Medicine physician with additional board certification in OBGYN.  He has obtained his certification in Plant-Based-Nutrition from Cornell University. Dr. Bogner is a clinical consultant for MaxGen Labs, LLC, a nutrigenomics lab analyzing genetic data, utilized by over 800 practitioners around the world.  He has lectured throughout the United States and abroad regarding integrative approaches to disease with a focus on genetics, the microbiome, and toxicities. Alex Zaharakis, MA, MS, DABR is a grateful husband and father of two beautiful children.  His interest in the microbiome and biomedical healing is driven by his son's regressive autism at 17 months, after a culmination and spark of several timely medical insults several of which were microbiome focused.  Alex has devoted his spare time and efforts to researching and learning about the microbiome while helping other parents to navigate the biomedical and microbiome issues experienced in autism to develop strategies for intervention.  Alex is a licensed and board-certified Medical Physicist in Radiation Oncology, a scientist with background in physics, mathematics, and biology who has utilized his life experiences to develop an analytical method for quantifying and intervening with intestinal dysbiosis which he believes to be significant in the development and severity of autism and other disease states.  He has devoted his personal time to studying the microbiome through analysis of 16s type sequencing, and he has developed software to analyze raw 16s data and provide suggestions to improve dysbiosis in a targeted manner.  Alex feels that providing support for dysbiosis is a direct window into increasing the quality of life for all individuals, including his own son which has been the driving force in the work that he does. Key Takeaways: What are the top contributors to autism? What is the role of 16s microbiome balancing? What role might mold and mycotoxins play in autism? How might cyanide play a role in autism? What is the role of ammonia in autism? What tools may be helpful for neuroinflammation? What are the mechanisms by which sodium thiosulfate may support the body? How might sodium thiosulfate assist the body in increasing reduced glutathione? Is sodium thiosulfate generally well-tolerated in those with sulfur sensitivities?   Might the body need additional detoxification support when starting to use the sodium thiosulfate lotion? How important is constipation when attempting to support detoxification? Is the potential for glutamine to convert to glutamate a real concern? How well-tolerated are herbal products in those with sensitivities to phenolics or salicylates? Connect With My Guests:  Christian Bogner, MD, FACOG, CFMNP Alex Zaharakis, MA, MS, DABR Related Resources: Researched Elements Get 15% off with discount code BETTERHEALTH Thiogenics Interview Date: November 15, 2023 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode192. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclosure: BetterHealthGuy.com is an affiliate of Researched Elements. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about the components of the Ellen Cutler Method including detoxification, enzymes, and desensitization.  About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Dr. Ellen Cutler.  Ellen Cutler, DC is a bestselling author and an internationally recognized teacher, public speaker, and media spokesperson.  Her books include "MicroMiracles — Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes," coming soon in a revised, expanded edition.  She has a chiropractic degree and specializes in the use of desensitization of food and other sensitivities, gentle detoxification, and enzyme and nutritional therapies for chronic conditions that have perplexed the conventional medical establishment. This is all addressed in her revolutionary healing technique the Ellen Cutler Method (ECM). Key Takeaways: What are the components of the Ellen Cutler Method? What is the role of organ-specific drainage? How does the nervous system impact our ability to detoxify? Might exposure to EMFs impact our detoxification ability? What is the connection between environmental toxicants and being overweight? How might digestive enzymes reduce food sensitivities? Can digestive enzymes maximize the potential of our supplement protocols? Is there a role for proteolytic or fibrinolytic enzymes in optimizing health? What factors lead to becoming sensitized? What is the process of desensitization? Can people react to the frequency or energetics of a substance? Can desensitization to our supplements potentially improve their effectiveness? Is it possible to desensitize one to microbes within the body? Is there a place for desensitization in the mold and mycotoxin landscape? Connect With My Guest: http://DrEllenCutler.com Interview Date: November 2, 2023 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode191. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will explore mold and consider how Pathways testing might be a helpful tool in an environmental exploration. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is John Banta.  John Banta, CIH, BA is certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene as a Certified Industrial Hygienist with a Bachelors degree in Environmental Health Science and 35 years of experience in Indoor Environmental Quality.  For the last 27 years John has specialized in mold and water damage problems in buildings. He conducted investigations and supervised crews in water damage and flood and mold remediation throughout the United States.  He trained workers in restoring water damaged buildings, contaminated water clean-ups, mold remediation, and worker health and safety programs throughout the United States and Canada; as well as England, Australia, and New Zealand.  John currently specializes in medically important investigations with 85% of his clients referred to him by their physician.  John is the co-author of the book titled Prescriptions for a Healthy House, 4th Edition: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders and Homeowners and author of Extreme Weather Hits Home, Protecting Your Buildings from Climate Change. John’s upcoming book Mold Controlled is about recovering buildings from mold and other water damage organisms, finding, avoiding and fixing problems. Key Takeaways: What is the five step process to investigation, mitigation, remediation, and maintenance? How might MSQPCR or ERMI be used and interpreted? What is inhibition and how might it lead to false negative MSQPCR results? Are there concerns with diffusion of essential oils in an environment? When might the outdoor environment lead to issues with mold indoors? Why are portable dehumidifiers recommended over whole house systems? What are some key considerations with doing basements, crawlspaces, and attics right? What is the Pathways process? How might one approach drain cleaning to optimize the environment? Should antimicrobials and encapsulants be used as part of a remediation effort? How much of a concern is lumber yard mold? Is there a place for fogging or misting as part of a remediation effort? What is the Effective Cleaning process? Connect With My Guest: http://JohnCBanta.com Related Resources: Prescriptions for a Healthy House, 4th Edition: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders and Homeowners 25 Days of Investigation, Mitigation, Remediation, and Maintenance in 25 Minutes Effective Cleaning Practices  Pathways™ Presentation Interview Date: October 3, 2023 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode190. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority.