Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health

Dr. David Rakel Talks about the connection between good medicine and the Doctor-Patient connection Bio: David Rakel, MD is professor and chair of the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Rakel joined DFMCH faculty in 2001. He founded the integrative health program (now known as the Osher Center for Integrative Health at University of Wisconsin-Madison) and received the Gold Foundation’s Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, the school’s highest honor for excellence and compassion in care. His team worked with more than 50 clinical systems within the Veterans Health Administration to implement changes to make care more personalized, proactive, and patient driven. An author of both academic and popular writings, one of Rakel’s missions is to communicate medical information in a way that is accessible to people of all backgrounds. He has published eleven books, including the Textbook of Family Medicine, Current Therapy, and Integrative Medicine, as well as peer-reviewed research on the impact of measures such as mindfulness meditation and the power of the therapeutic encounter. His 2018 book The Compassionate Connection focuses on how compassionate relationships can influence health outcomes.  AGENDA:  1.             This podcast today is about good medicine being rooted in the doctor-patient connection. Let’s start with your study on the common cold, including the unexpected twist, which makes me cry nearly every time I tell your story.  2.             Why is the patient-doctor connection so important? What is ’the clinician effect’ and its non-specific influences on health?  3.             What does the research say about this? What research should we be seeking to understand and amplify this effect further?  4.             What is the bare minimum we need to recreate this in a patient-doctor visit today? What would the ideal scenario be? Talk to us about some innovations in primary care delivery.  5.             What are the examples in which you see this working well in the world today? What’s happening in the Functional Medicine world? What’s been the transformation that’s happened in the VA? Where else?  6.             What advice to you give patients seeking to connect with their busy doctors? What advice to you give to clinicians, new & old, who yearn or ache for this but aren’t sure how to make it happen?  7.             Let’s end on an optimistic note- what are some truths and magic that you’ve seen come out of an intact patient-doctor connection? 

HER STORYDr Wahls is the clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.A., where she teaches internal medicine residents in their primary care clinics. She also does clinical research and has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, posters, and papers. In addition to being a doctor, she is also a patient with a chronic, progressive disease. She was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2000; around the time she began working at the university. By 2003, she had transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. She underwent chemotherapy to slow the disease and began using a tilt-recline wheelchair because of weakness in her back muscles.It was clear: Eventually she would become bedridden by the disease and wanted to forestall that fate as long as possible.FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVINGWhen diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Dr. Terry Wahls had two choices for the example she could set for her children. She could model giving up, or she could model that even though life’s not fair, you get up every day and you do the best that you can. She chose the latter. Now, Dr. Wahls has a new mission: to create an epidemic of health and help millions of people reclaim their lives.She is the author of The Wahls Protocol®: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine, The Wahls Protocol®: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles (paperback),and the cookbook The Wahls Protocol® Cooking for Life: The Revolutionary Modern Paleo Plan to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions AGENDA:Tell us your story about MS & what you learned through its course.  Talk to us about the various types of brain cells and the role they play in turning MS on or off.What does the research say about your program and the various components.How widely applicable is this type of program? Yes for MS, but what about other autoimmune conditions? Toxic conditions? Alzheimer’s/ Parkinson’s, etc?How has your program evolved over the years and how does it continue to evolve?If you are a person listening to this right now with MS or these other conditions, what are the most accessible points of entry to make change, to potentially change the course of your disease?What are you excited about next in research & complex/ chronic disease development?

Dr. Sascha Sajer is an experienced physician specializing in Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Functional Medicine, with over 30 years of expertise in clinical practice, medical consultancy, and healthcare management. After earning his medical degree from the Medical University of Vienna, Dr. Sajer completed his specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He further enhanced his expertise by obtaining an MBA in Health Management from Middlesex University, London, and an accredited Functional Medicine Certification (IFMCP) from The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) in the USA. Dr. Sajer is the owner and Medical Director of Revisalut GmbH, where he focuses on functional medicine and integrative healthcare. His previous leadership roles include serving as the Medical Director for the Dr. Dr. Wagner Group, overseeing nine wellness centers and five rehabilitation clinics, as well as leading the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Evangelistic Hospital of Vienna. With an internation background, he is fluent in English and German, a native Croatian speaker, and proficient in French, Dr. Sajer is also passionate about sports, sailing, photography, and the arts.Agenda Topics :  1. What is Inuspheresis & where is it under the broader umbrella of apheresis? 2.        What is the history & development of inuspheresis? 3.        What is your background in getting started with inuspheresis as a therapeutic option? For which conditions? 4.        What comes out in the effluent? Do you do toxicity testing before/ after treatments? 5.        For which patients is inuspheresis appropriate? Contraindications?6.        How you do build programs- like how many treatments/ how often/ when to repeat? What other services are typically recommended alongside inuspheresis? 7.        What are some of your favorite research papers about this Inuspheresis? What research are you looking forward to seeing up & coming? 

Let's talk about all thing's food, particularly as it relates to the Pentad community.What kind of barriers exist for people, especially with me/CFS.Why do we often see resistance to changing our diets and eliminating certain foods.How might our nutritional needs be different from the general population.What kind of resources are available to us.How do we make it a sustainable endeavor.What are some emotional or psychological tools we can employ for success.What's the best way to do an Elimination Diet.Why should somebody look to their diet for improvementWhat types of illnesses respond best to dietary restrictions.BIO:Rachel Riggs is the author of an incredible new cookbook called "in Good health' which is California-style light & fresh cooking but the twist here is that she has been suffering with ME/CFS that started in 2003, had had what is an unfortunately typical course which was waxing & waning, requiring 12 years for diagnosis and then a big exacerbation and has now been house-bound x 12 years, in fact, mostly bed-bound. She is a former specialty food shop owner whose life was upended by ME & had to sell her shop. She has worked with Dr Robert Naviaux in San Diego as his study coordinator for the last 9 years so we'll dive into the Cell Danger Response some.Blog:https://www.rachriggs.com/cookbookhttps://rachelriggs.substack.com/https://tinyurl.com/5adxvt6uhttps://www.healthrising.org/blog/2025/01/29/rachel-riggs-allergen-aware-cookbook/

Dr. Aly Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist and environmental health expert, discusses her new book highlighting the link between everyday toxins and immune disorders. She offers practical solutions for reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and emphasizes the importance of informed lifestyle choices. The conversation covers the rise of synthetic chemicals, the benefits of reverse osmosis water filtration, and a 21-day detox program for better health. Dr. Cohen advocates for safer cleaning products and healthier choices to improve overall wellness.

We're thrilled to announce that our podcasts now qualify for Nursing Continuing Education (CE) credits through RNegade.pro! Nurses can now not only gain valuable insights and practical knowledge from our episodes but also earn CE credits while listening.RNegade is not your typical nursing CE provider. RNegade believes that nurses are more than just caregivers—they’re innovators, leaders, and change-makers. That’s why RNegade is committed to breaking the mold of traditional CE by offering content that goes beyond the status quo and inspires nurses to learn and think differently. They are about pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and redefining what it means to be a nurse in today’s world.In today’s busy world, healthcare pros are already tuning into podcasts for inspiration, insights, and the occasional laugh during their commute or downtime. With RNegade.pro, those same moments can now lead to real CE credits. It’s as simple as listen, reflect, and earn.🎧 The Podclass RevolutionThat’s right: no traditional lectures, no PowerPoints. Just engaging conversations with industry leaders that spark ideas and challenge norms. Think cutting-edge topics, bold conversations, and real-world relevance—paired with a reflective process that lets listeners earn their credits with ease.  And now, we're proud to say, our podcasts will help you fulfill your CE requirements.Here’s the other cool part! When you decide you love what you just learned on one of our podcasts, you can share your affiliate link from the RNegade platform with your colleagues, you can earn revenue for every nurse who signs up and earns CE credits. You’re not just offering another CE option—you’re helping nurses break free from traditional learning and step into a new era of education that’s exciting, relevant, and practical.RNegade is launching with a collection from our library and will be adding more episodes on a monthly basis.  Here’s the incredible news . . . if you’ve already listened to one of our older podcasts in the library, you can still earn CE.  As long as you’ve listened to the episode within the last 2 years, it qualifies as a CE credit. Start listening, learning, and earning with RNegade today!www.rnegade.pro

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, Dr Gillian Ehrlich and Dr. Julianna Giles explore the immune system from both Ayurvedic and Western perspectives. They discuss the complexities of cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic infections, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying factors that contribute to these conditions. The conversation delves into the roles of psychoneuroimmunology, cellular biology, and the Ayurvedic concepts of Prana, Tejas, and Ojas in maintaining health and wellness. Practical approaches to healing and supporting the immune system are also highlighted, along with the significance of lifestyle choices and conscious awareness in promoting overall health.takeawaysThe immune system is complex and multifaceted.Cancer and autoimmunity are not singular diseases but a spectrum.Chronic infections can exacerbate immune dysfunction.Psychoneuroimmunology bridges the mind-body connection.Ayurvedic principles emphasize cellular health and balance.Disruptions in Prana, Tejas, and Ojas lead to disease.Holistic approaches are essential for healing.Breathwork and lifestyle choices significantly impact health.Ojas represents immunity and vitality in Ayurveda.Conscious awareness can lead to positive health changes.

Dr. Brianna Cardenas, a Physician Assistant specializing in chronic illness and founder of Healed and Empowered, shares her insights on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, informed by her experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She and Dr. Andrew Maxwell, a Pediatric Cardiologist with expertise in environmental health, dive into the anatomy of CSF leaks, their symptoms, and why they often go undiagnosed. They discuss innovative treatments like blood patches and the role of fascial therapy, emphasizing the importance of patient advocacy in navigating complex health challenges.

Professor Prita Lal Bio:Bio: Raised as a child of South Asian immigrants in theAmerican South, Professor Prita Lal became interested in social justice issues at a young age and now teaches at Evergreen State College at the intersectionsof food and environmental justice, social movements, Black studies, solidarity economics, cooperative education, healing justice and community-based learning.Dr Lal completed her BA in French & anthropology at Tulane, her Master’s & Doctorates in Sociology at Stony Brook University. Her teaching style focuses on education for transformation and liberation. She also has completedextensive training in yoga and Ayurveda (an ancient system of healing from South Asia), which she integrates through somatic and trauma-informed teaching practices. Her work analyzes the root causes of social problems, not intending to paralyze, but rather inform just alternatives to transform (rather than recreate) systemic injustices. Path AffiliationEnvironmentalStudies , Psychology,Health, and Community , PoliticalEconomy, Global Studies, and Environmental Justice , Foodand AgricultureFields of StudyAfricanAmerican Studies , Sociologyand Anthropology , PoliticalEconomy and Political Science , FoodSystems , FoodStudies , FoodJustice , EthnicStudies , CommunityStudies , Climateand Environmental Justice , AgricultureObjective today: explore the intersection betweenwellness & justice. 1.     Tell us your story- what are you doing & howdid you get here?  2.     What’s the problem here? Our perception is thatwellness requires resources that are often the realm of the rich. The problems created by a widening gap between rich & poor. What is the role of power?  3.     The circles that we’ve been in for wellness& the circles we’ve been for justice. What are the ways that these overlap or don’t overlap or could or should overlap.  4.     Let’s shift to talking about how our health hasbeen colonized- what does that mean? How do we define ‘decolonizing our health.’ Connecting to inner power.  5.     Now let’s talk about Ayurveda- what is it &what is its power & potential to offer us wellness AND justice? What is spiritual by-passing & how is this used go maintain status quo.  6.     What are the steps to address this? a.     Finding our inner powerb.     Connection to self & planetc.     Connection to each other & then socialjustice movements – calling in vs calling out to challenge internalizedcolonialismd.     Embracing mistakes vs being defined by mistakes,perfectionism is an element of white supremacy culture

Thomas Mandel Clausen, PhD, is a glycobiologist whose research spans cancer, COVID-19, and malariavaccines. He discusses the endothelial glycocalyx, revealing it as a dynamic structure crucial for vascular health, inflammation, and signaling. The impact of glycans on diseases like arthritis is highlighted, along with their link to cellular communication. He also addresses heparin sulfate's role in COVID-19 treatment and the importance of maintaining glycocalyx health for overall well-being. Clausen emphasizes glycobiology's potential in enhancing patient outcomes.