Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics

I'm excited to welcome Dr. Barry Sears, the renowned creator of the Zone Diet and a pillar in our field. Dr. Sears has not only authored bestsellers but has also made incredibly important contributions to clinical practice which we still rely on today: He is, for instance, the scientist who put the use of the AA:EPA ratio on the map. Dr. Sears provides elegant and accessible explanations of the unassailable importance of diet in addressing inflammation, metabolic health, chronic disease, and longevity, and the role that fatty acids play in that milieu. And while he and I might not agree that polyphenols need to be absorbed intact for benefit - there's plenty of evidence that their postbiotic products are very important players, especially in their interactions with the epigenome - his concerns about the chemical structure of highly concentrated fish oil supplements (with the potential for isomerization, as he argues) has opened my eyes and is important, without doubt. I think the jury is still out as to whether there is a negative influence of isomerization in highly concentrated EPA and DHA, but it's worthy of further investigation and (importantly) is another factor in the argument for a whole-food approach. - DrKF Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for all the relevant links and resources. Guest information Dr. Barry Sears, President, Inflammation Research Foundation and CEO of Zone Labs.Inc. Email: bsears@drsears.com Website: http://www.drsears.com/ Zone Living Website: http://www.zoneliving.com/ Inflammation Research Foundation: http://www.inflammationresearchfoundation.org/ Thank you to our Sponsors Diamond Rupa Health - https://tinyurl.com/yc26f6sj Biotics Research - https://www.bioticsresearch.com/ Integrative Therapeutics - https://tinyurl.com/47sfktzb Gold OneSkin - https://tinyurl.com/ycxvz5we Mira - https://tinyurl.com/3pj4t338 TimeLine Nutrition - https://tinyurl.com/4bsdfczz Midroll Practice Better - Start your free trial and save 20% for 4 months on any paid plan with code KF20 - https://sites.practicebetter.io/new-frontiers-in-functional-medicine Show Notes Dietary Control of Inflammation and Resolution - https://tinyurl.com/vadkjzf7 The STRENGTH trial - https://tinyurl.com/282cz27m OMEMI Trial - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33191772/ REDUCE-IT Study - https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01492361 ASCEND Study - https://ascend.medsci.ox.ac.uk VITAL Study - https://www.vitalstudy.org/ Longitudinal Study - Multi-omics Biological Age Estimation and Its Correlation with Wellness and Disease Phenotypes - https://tinyurl.com/2p85yx5f

Gear up for an enlightening dive with Dr. Tara Harding, a vanguard in the realm of women’s health and fertility. Renowned for her exceptional work as a family nurse practitioner and fertility coach, Dr. Harding brings a wealth of knowledge from her battle against infertility and medical gaslighting, all while breaking barriers and fostering a supportive community for those navigating the complex journey of infertility. This conversation not only highlights innovative diagnostic tools like Mira but also delves into the nuances of managing conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. Dr. Harding’s personal and professional journey is a beacon of hope and empowerment, underscoring the significance of comprehensive care in women’s health. Prepare to be inspired by her dedication to revolutionizing fertility care and advocating for patient empowerment. ~DrKF Check out the show notes at www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for all the relevant links and resources.

Fellow clinicians, get ready for a mind-blowing conversation with Dr. Nathan Price, Chief Scientific Officer of Thorne HealthTech and author of The Age of Scientific Wellness. Imagine harnessing AI to predict outcomes of our functional interventions (diet, supplements, lifestyle) by implementing a “digital twin” model that is populated with all of your patient’s bio data. And being able to test the response of our treatments (and importantly, the synergistic response of multimodal interventions). It’s heady stuff, but amazingly, it is where we are headed today. Dr. Price illustrates the incredible potential this technology brings for personalized evidence-based medicine, such as tailoring interventions based on microbial markers or targeting specific lifestyle changes for Alzheimer's prevention. The podcast is a captivating exploration of cutting-edge concepts and provides a glimpse into the exciting future of healthcare. I was wowed by my conversation with Nathan and can’t wait to start kicking the tires on this baby. I know you’ll feel the same. ~DrKF Check out the show notes at www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for all the relevant links and resources.

It was a career-defining (and perhaps life changing) moment when Dr. Vittorio Sebastiano, a reproductive biologist by training, realized that because we are able to create life, that same body of information could be harnessed to create youth - that is, radically reverse our biological aging process to a younger time point without losing cellular identity. In 2014, he and his lab began unpacking this epiphany. They made the radical decision to conduct their investigations in human cells and tissue rather than in rodents, with the expectation that such a start would be a better bridge to human clinical trials. Flash forward a decade and Dr. Sebastiano and his team stand poised to begin trials in humans. Dr. Sebastiano is, in my opinion, one of the most extraordinary scientists in the longevity space today who flies under the radar of most of us in functional medicine. In this podcast - which is actually two-in-one because I continued the conversation with him on a second date - you’ll hear about the remarkable work they’re undertaking at his lab. For example: They’ve created a biological clock that encompasses the whole genome consisting of millions and millions of CpG sites. They are able to clearly demonstrate the reversal of bioage using their methodology - a cocktail of Yamanaka factors plus, with clear time limits - which changes the epigenome first, and in so doing influences all of the hallmarks of aging. Teaser: they’ve identified one intervention routinely used in clinical practice that influences their bio age clock in the same way that their cocktail does. What is it? I was riveted with this conversation, as I am sure you’ll be. Leave a review if you like it, and - Yes - let me know what you think. I know this will prompt deep questions for you, as it did for me. ~DrKF Check out the show notes at www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for all the relevant links and resources.

Aging itself stands as the paramount driver of disease. As functional practitioners, the question arises: How can we assess biological age to make precise corrections that foster both healthspan and lifespan? Enter the era of omics, where metabolomics emerges as an exceptional tool with transformative potential. I'm thrilled to welcome back Dr. Betsy Redmond, longtime friend and the senior education specialist at Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, to New Frontiers to lead us on this discussion.Together, we'll take a deep dive into specific metabolites and pathways intricately linked to aging, mood, inflammation, and gut health and you’ll hear about equol, a rising star on the postbiotic scene. We'll even unravel some surprising insights from my own test results! Be sure to grab a copy of the Sample Report and pull up a seat for this fascinating discussion packed with valuable takeaways for yourself and your practice. ~DrKF You'll find it all at www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

Working in healthcare brings a unique set of challenges and stressors. But the truth is that any of us can get to burnout through challenging circumstances of work or study. And the consequences can range from severe to devastating. Burnout still hasn't been fully understood or recognized by the medical profession and other industries - there is still no official diagnosis classification. Along with other mental health disorders, it is often still (wrongly) stigmatized and can even sometimes be seen as a "badge of honor," much to our detriment. Dr. Jonathan Prousky, Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, joins me once again in this New Frontiers episode to explore the state of burnout in healthcare workers and beyond. Whether you work in our field or not, I guarantee you'll find it insightful. Together we explore the challenges we all face, and practical solutions to help you maintain your own health and well-being. As always, please feel free to share, comment, and rate - and let us know your thoughts on this important topic. ~DrKF Do You Think You Might Be Suffering From Burnout? Take this quiz to find out and learn how to prevent or reduce burnout naturally. www.drkarafitgerald.com/burnout

When it comes to mitochondrial health, few nutrients have burst onto the bioenergetics stage with quite the impressive force as the postbiotic rock star Urolithin A (UA). On this New Frontiers episode Dr. Chris Rinsch, co-founder of Amazentis / Timeline, shares the incredible scientific journey of UA's discovery and subsequent unfolding of its many benefits, as confirmed by multiple clinical studies. Together, we explore UA's mechanisms of action, including the role of the microbiome, and exciting preliminary research on UA's potential to reverse immune aging. Of course, our conversation wouldn't be complete without discussing the possible role UA may play in slowing down biological aging and extending healthspan - after all mitochondrial decline is one of the hallmarks of aging. Tune in and please leave us a review wherever you listen to New Frontiers. - DrKF Check out the Shownotes for the episode at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/,

Did you know that "bone-eating" osteoclast cells are derived from immune cell precursors and are stimulated by inflammation, just like other immune cells? Or that bone has its own glycocalyx whose health is essential to realize the benefits of exercise for bone? Folks, Dr. Keith McCormick is back on New Frontiers with ever-more juicy pearls like these, and with important updates on bone care for functional medicine practitioners and patients alike. Dr. McCormick is living proof that osteoporosis and a history of multiple bone fractures - he had 12 between the ages of 45-50 - are not an irrecoverable life (or death) sentence. In fact, even as he nears 70, Dr. McCormick is out there competing in Ironman and pentathlon events, living his life to the fullest. Dr. McCormick is arguably the top thinker and practitioner on bone health from a systems and functional point of view. His nuanced navigation of diagnostic tools as well as both pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions is fully comprehensive and deep. You'll want to tune in to find out how he navigates his patient cases, casting a wide net for underlying contributing factors, his go-to interventions for specific situations, how he doses supplements, and more. Please do let us know what you think, and leave us a review wherever you listen to New Frontiers, and don't forget to check out the show notes at DrKaraFitzgerald.com for all the relevant links and resources. ~DrKF

Over 270,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year in the US. And while BRCA mutations often get the most press, there are other, potentially more critical factors we can address. Today, Dr. Ruth Hobson joins us to delve into the realm of breast health, shedding light on both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, and sharing real-life strategies for supporting our patients. We dive into a range of essential topics, from dietary and lifestyle influences to the ongoing debate around Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and venture into the world of functional tests to evaluate hormones and metabolites crucial for comprehensive breast health. We’ll uncover the intricate connection between gut health and breast health - Did you know that breast tissue has its own microbiome?!? - and examine how inflammation, peripheral fat, and methylation impact cancer risk. Bring a pen and paper, this is a deep dive into the hormones and breast health that you won’t want to miss. ~DrKF

The epigenetic pioneer, Dr. Randy Jirtle, returns to New Frontiers to share his latest groundbreaking work. And I really do mean groundbreaking. Dr. Jirtle's work in mapping our "imprintome" is literally creating a brand new branch of scientific study that is expected to provide valuable insights and opportunities for epigenetially-targeted therapies, including nutrition and lifestyle. What I so appreciate about Dr. Jirtle's work is that it clearly demonstrates how we are not inescapably at the mercy of our genes. Instead, Dr. Jirtle views disease-associated genes as a starting point for the environment to direct its expression. Join me on this episode of New Frontiers to find out what your imprintome actually is, why it is so important, and what you can expect from this area of scientific discovery in the near future. ~DrKF