The Spectrum of Health with Dr. Christine Schaffner

Studies using modern state-of-the-art methods (such as genetic sequencing) find that people with chronic sinusitis have a different sinus microbiome than healthy people without sinusitis. They have fewer bacterial species and an abundance of some other species. In this Episode of Spectrum of Health, Dr. Christine Schaffner sits down with Erik Galuppo, the co-founder of Lanto Health, to discuss the sinus microbiome, chronic sinus issues, and the benefits of taking nasal probiotics to alleviate their suffering. They also discuss the future of sinus probiotics and understanding the human microbiome. Erik Galuppo is an entrepreneur with a recent focus on health and wellness. Erik, along with his brother, Adam. grew up battling chronic sinusitis. For 25 years, the brothers experimented with all types of antibiotics, special diets, and even sinus surgery. The Galuppo brothers took to the internet for a better solution. They came across research suggesting that a keystone bacteria called Lactobacillus sakei is found naturally in healthy sinuses and was being used experimentally for sinus issues. Lactobacillus sakei (also known as L. sakei) is also found naturally in fermented kimchi. They first concocted their formulas using kimchi from local grocery stores and were amazed by the results. Their sinuses instantly felt healthier. For the full version of the show notes, please visit https://bit.ly/SOH-Episode-103

According to the World Health Organization, chronic illness and disease are the leading causes of death worldwide – and they’re on the rise. But nobody is talking about what’s behind most of these chronic illnesses – mold and mycotoxins (small toxins produced by fungi present in our food and homes). If you have an underlying issue with mycotoxins, then your chronic illness may be treatable and reversible.  In this Episode of Spectrum of Health, Dr. Eric Gordon and Dr. Nafysa Parpia talk with Dr. Schaffner about the importance of detoxification therapies during mycotoxin and complex chronic illness treatment. They also discuss keeping an open mind to the diversity of diagnosing and treating complex chronic illnesses.  Dr. Nafysa Parpia has spent the last decade treating patients with complex chronic illnesses from all over the US and the world.  Her specialization is patients with tick-borne disease, mold/mycotoxin illness,  environmentally acquired condition,  autoimmunity, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Modalities she uses include a synergistic blend of regenerative medicine, oral and intravenous micronutrient therapies, peptide therapies, botanical medicine, pharmaceuticals, injection therapies, functional nutrition, and lifestyle counseling. Dr. Parpia sees patients at Gordon Medical in the San Francisco Bay Area.  She is on ISEAI’s Board of Directors (International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness) and is a Scientific and Medical Advisor for Neurohacker Collective.  She received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and her Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia. Eric D. Gordon, MD, President of Gordon Medical Research Center (GMRC), is the founder and owner of Gordon Medical Associates (GMA) in the San Francisco Bay area, specializing in complex chronic illness. In addition to clinical practice (40+ years), Dr. Gordon is engaged in clinical research. Combining forces with Dr. Robert Naviaux and his research into metabolomics, mitochondrial function, and chronic inflammatory disease is now bringing this dream to life. In 2016 Dr. Gordon was co-author with Dr. Naviaux on a groundbreaking study, “Metabolic Features of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).

The root of who we are starts before birth, even though the mind doesn’t remember everything, the body does. In this Episode of Spectrum of Health, Kea Hedberg, who specializes in Pre and Perinatal Somatic Psychology, talks with Dr. Schaffner about the story each infant has to tell, a story that begins before their birth and before their thinking process is engaged.  They also discuss the concept of an individual’s blueprint versus imprint and how that relates to health.  Kea Hedberg, L.Ac. exclusively practices the Classical Five Element Acupuncture tradition and Pre and Perinatal Somatic Psychology. She focuses on the interconnections between the physical, emotional, and spiritual issues in her clients’ lives. Kea is also on faculty and teaches at Five Branches University. To get the full version of the show notes - please https://bit.ly/SOH-Ep101

It is our 100th episode, and we are so very excited about hitting such a significant milestone! Thank you to all our listeners for tuning in to the podcast every week! In this episode, Dr. Christine Schaffner has an extraordinary conversation with Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary about the healing power of sound therapy for better emotional and physical health. They also discuss the need for a paradigm shift in contemporary medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and a health-based (rather than disease-based) medical system. Dr. Chaudhary is a neuroscientist and has participated in over twenty clinical research studies in multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Her research includes groundbreaking work in stem cell therapies for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and drug development to treat ALS. She is also the author of The Prime and Sound Medicine and has appeared as a medical expert on numerous programs, including The Dr. Oz Show and Home & Family. To see the full version of this episode's show notes, please visit : https://www.drchristineschaffner.com/spectrum-of-health-podcast-2/

Many children, teens, and occasionally young adults start to show mysterious mental and emotional symptoms that often go undiagnosed. These symptoms begin seemingly overnight with no explanation. The only common denominator is usually that symptoms start soon after an infection.   In this episode, Dr. Christine Schaffner talks with one of her colleagues at Immanence Health, Dr. Amanda Wilms, to discuss PANS/PANDAS and how to identify it and the latest in the rapidly evolving field of integrative medicine that is treating these conditions. The term PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections and PANS  stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Dr. Amanda Wilms is a naturopathic physician at Immanence Health. She graduated from Bastyr University with a particular interest in complex chronic illness. She has completed advanced training in intravenous therapy, injection techniques, ozone therapy, mycotoxin illness, autonomic response testing, environmental medicine/toxicology, autoimmune conditions, bio-identical hormones, PANDAS/PANS, and Lyme disease.

Why do we dream? Do dreams hold psychological meaning or are they merely the reflection of random brain activity? What purpose do dreams serve? Questions on the origins and meaning of dreams are as old as humankind, and as confounding and exciting today as when nineteenth-century scientists first attempted to unravel them.  Our brains spend the entire time we're asleep processing the memories we formed during the day before, strengthening them,  filing them, discovering patterns, and generally figuring out what they mean all so that they will be more useful to us in our future waking lives. In this week’s episode of Spectrum of Health, Dr. Christine Schaffner talks with Dr. Bob Stickgold to discuss how our dreams play an integral role in our nightly memory processing, as well as how these new memories might fit with what we already know.  Dr. Bob Stickgold is a cognitive neuroscientist and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is the co-author of When Brains Dream as well as published over a hundred scientific papers on sleep and dreams.

Exciting new research shows that when the adult brain is damaged it can repair itself.  Brain cells that have been injured have the capability of re-growing new connections that, under the right conditions, can help to restore lost function.  In this episode, Dr. Christine Schaffner and Dr. Greg Eckel discuss regenerative medicine and the development of a progressive brain regenerative program.  Dr. Greg Eckel became increasingly aware of and concerned about the overuse of medications with children while teaching preschool, and this experience inspired his entry into Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine. In 2001 he co-founded Nature Cures Clinic. The combination of Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and botanical medicine) has provided Dr. Eckel with a variety of tools to treat both acute and chronic illness while valuing the principles of prevention and wellness. You can find a copy of the show notes at drchristineschaffner.com

Sleep is required to maintain your immune system, regulate appetite and metabolism, and support cardiovascular health. Also, with chronically ill individuals, it can be a "Catch-22" because sleep is needed to heal, but they can't sleep because of the illness. Fortunately, there have been recent advancements to support restorative deep sleep. In this episode, Dr. Christine Schaffner takes a deep dive into the widespread modern-day issue of Deep Sleep Deficiency (DSD), signs and symptoms that you may be suffering from DSD, the most recent research and advancements as well as 5 steps you can take to detox your sleep.

iving with chronic illness often brings on feelings of chronic worry and despair. These emotions can lead to a frenetic pattern of worry about symptoms spiraling into a perpetual anxious state. In this episode, Ashok Gupta shares with Dr. Christine Schaffner about neuroplasticity brain retraining, also called limbic system retraining, and how focusing on the nervous system can create surprising results for chronic illness. Ashok Gupta is an internationally renowned speaker, filmmaker, and health practitioner who has dedicated his life to supporting people through chronic illness and achieving their potential. Ashok suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome around 25 years ago when he was studying at Cambridge University. Through neurological research that he conducted, he managed to get himself 100% better. He then set up a clinic to treat others and then publish the well-known recovery program known as the Gupta Program in 2007.

Our gastrointestinal tract maintains a highly diverse microbial population that plays an essential role in nutritional metabolism, protection against pathogens, and the development of our immune system. The intestinal biota is increasingly considered a mutual partnership for the maintenance of health. Over the years, the microorganisms in our intestines have become recognized in the development of the immune system. In this episode, Dr. Schaffner sits down with microbiota researcher, Dr. Andrea McBeth to discuss her fascinating work with fecal transplant and the incredible postbiotic product that has been developed from this groundbreaking research.