Optimal Metabolism

Episode Summary: What if your chronic symptoms aren't your fault—but the result of being failed by a broken system? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Aaron Hartman—author of UnCurable and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine—to explore the deeper reasons behind weight loss resistance, autoimmune illness, trauma, and more. We discuss the 4 reasons people struggle to lose weight (even when "doing everything right"), how to regenerate the body using light, food, and rhythm, and why addressing unresolved trauma may be the key to healing. Dr. Hartman's story of healing his daughter—and what he now knows about the body's design—is one you don't want to miss. What We Covered: Dr. Hartman's story: How healing his daughter reshaped his view of medicine The 4 root reasons you're not losing weight (and what to do instead) Why trauma can block metabolic healing GLP-1 drugs: useful tool or long-term concern? The real reason autoimmune disease is exploding—and what the immune system is trying to tell us How circadian biology, light, and rhythm affect healing What most doctors are missing about chronic illness and regeneration Simple ways to begin restoring your body—starting this week Links + Resources: 👉 Learn more about Dr. Hartman: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com 📘 Grab his new book UnCurable 🎓 Dive deeper with my Low Insulin Academy: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/ 🌙 Heal your circadian rhythm in Cortisol Calm: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/

In this Facebook Live episode, Shana shares how she naturally lowered her total cholesterol by 58 points and LDL by 41 points in just 11 weeks—without statins—by addressing insulin resistance and easily adding 7 different fibers with the Feel Great System. You'll learn what causes "high" cholesterol beyond diet, how insulin and inflammation play a bigger role than fat intake, and how strategic nutrients like soluble fibers, phytosterols, and chlorogenic acid improve both lipid and glucose metabolism. What You'll Learn The real root of high cholesterol: insulin resistance and poor metabolic signaling. Why statins don't fix insulin resistance—and what they actually do. How Balance (soluble fiber matrix) supports healthy LDL, satiety, and blood sugar control. Guar gum, beta-glucans, gum arabic, citrus pectin → lower LDL, stabilize glucose, support gut microbiota. Phytosterols → reduce LDL and raise HDL. Chromium → enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces sugar cravings. Niacin → supports HDL and energy metabolism How Unimate (yerba mate extract) enhances GLP-1, focus, and fat metabolism. Chlorogenic acid → reduces LDL/triglycerides, improves insulin sensitivity, and supports mitochondrial energy. Theobromine → improves HDL/LDL ratio, boosts mood and alertness without jitters. Mate saponins and polyphenols → lower visceral fat, protect the liver, and calm inflammation How improving GLP-1 naturally helps you feel full longer, lose weight, and stabilize blood sugar. Simple lifestyle rhythms—light, sleep, meal timing—that magnify your results. Key Takeaways Fixing insulin resistance improves both cholesterol and blood sugar markers. The Feel Great System is listed in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) and backed by published studies. You can partner with your clinician to explore reducing or avoiding cholesterol meds as metabolic health improves. Supporting GLP-1 naturally with Feel Great can mimic some benefits of popular medications—without side effects. Products Mentioned 👉 The Feel Great System Unimate (yerba mate extract rich in chlorogenic acid, theobromine, polyphenols). Balance (multi-fiber matrix with phytosterols, niacin, chromium).

This week on Optimal Metabolism, Shana sits down with one of her greatest mentors in circadian and quantum biology, Carrie Bennett, to uncover the surprising science behind winter wellness. Together, they explore why embracing the dark may be the key to restoring your melatonin rhythm, healing adrenal fatigue, and boosting mitochondrial health this season. You'll learn how our biology shifts during winter, why being more ketogenic and aligned with shorter days supports metabolic healing, and whether we really need to supplement with vitamin D—or if nature already built the answer into the circadian rhythm itself. If you've been feeling sluggish, anxious, or out of sync this winter, this episode will help you reconnect to the light and dark rhythms God designed for your energy, hormones, and overall wellness. What You'll Learn ✨ How embracing darkness boosts melatonin and repairs circadian rhythm ✨ Why longer nights are not a problem to fix—but a healing signal for the body ✨ The link between mitochondrial water, light exposure, and adrenal recovery ✨ Why going more ketogenic in winter can enhance energy and fat-burning ✨ The truth about vitamin D supplementation during darker months ✨ How meal timing and grounding restore cortisol and hormonal balance ✨ Carrie's top practical steps to live in sync with natural light cycles Links & Resources 🔗 Learn more about Carrie Bennett: CarrieBWellness.com 🌞 Follow Carrie on Instagram: @carriebwellness 💛 Explore Shana's foundational courses: Cortisol Calm — Naturally balance cortisol, melatonin, and leptin through circadian strategies. Low Insulin Academy — Reverse insulin resistance and metabolic chaos at the root cause. 💌 Join the free email community for weekly wellness insights: shanahussinwellness.com

Are you on a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro — and wondering if there's a natural way to come off it safely? In this powerful solo episode, Shana breaks down what causes GLP-1 to become depleted, how to rebuild your body's natural production, and the exact steps she recommends for weaning off meds. You'll also hear a detailed walkthrough of her proven weaning protocol (with screen recording!), plus the lifestyle strategies and tools that support long-term metabolic healing. If you're looking for lasting freedom from weight struggles, blood sugar crashes, and medication dependency — this episode is for you. 🔗 Links Mentioned: 🎯 Low Insulin Academy – 90% Off Promo (Oct 15–31) 🌿 Feel Great System – Learn More 💌 Want help? Schedule a free 15-min call with Shana here 🧠 What You'll Learn in This Episode: What GLP-1 does and why it's crucial for metabolic health Surprising things that suppress your natural GLP-1 How to naturally raise GLP-1 levels (without meds!) When the goal is weaning off GLP-1s How the Feel Great System + LIA work together to support healing Why your body can produce these hormones — when you align with its design

Heart disease is still the number one killer in the U.S.—but are we even looking at the right markers to prevent it? In this eye-opening episode, Shana sits down with Dr. Urban Kiernan, founder and CEO of iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation, to break down what your lipid panel actually means, why total cholesterol and LDL often distract from the real risks, and how insulin resistance plays a central role in heart disease—especially during menopause. Dr. Kiernan shares how his biotech company is leveraging AI, protein therapy, and root-cause science to transform how we prevent and treat metabolic disease—and why most conventional approaches miss the mark entirely. If you've ever been confused by your labs, put on statins without a full explanation, or wondered why we're still seeing record rates of heart attacks and strokes, this conversation will bring clarity and direction. 🔑 What You'll Learn: The truth about cholesterol testing: which markers matter and which don't Why LDL-C alone is a poor predictor of heart disease risk How to quickly assess insulin resistance from standard labs The real drivers of the heart disease epidemic Why risk spikes during menopause—and what you can do about it How personalized, precision medicine could change the future of prevention About Dr. Urban Kiernan: Dr. Kiernan is the founder and CEO of iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation (iMBP), a precision biotherapeutics company creating AI-driven therapies that target the root causes of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. His work blends science, biotechnology, and deep personal mission after losing his wife to cancer—driving his pursuit of true root-cause solutions. 🔗 Links Mentioned: 🌐 Learn about iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation ✨ Explore the Feel Great System 🧪 Shana's Courses & Coaching Programs 🎧 More Episodes of the Optimal Metabolism Podcast

What if you could reverse type 2 diabetes, drop 62 pounds collectively, and get off multiple medications — naturally? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Brent and Tonya Vineyard, a couple who has experienced absolutely life-changing results using the Unicity Feel Great System. After years of battling chronic health issues — including diabetes, migraines, acid reflux, restless legs, and dangerously high triglycerides — they decided to try a natural, two-step supplement system… and everything changed. 🎧 Whether you're struggling with weight, blood sugar, hormone chaos, or feeling stuck in a medical system that offers more meds than solutions, this episode is full of hope. 👉 Learn more or try the Feel Great System here: 🔗 https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/ What We Cover: Brent's type 2 diabetes diagnosis at 27 — and how he got off insulin in just one week Tonya's experience coming off prescription acid reflux meds after decades How they each lost weight and reversed chronic inflammation naturally The link between the Feel Great System, GLP-1 hormone, and cravings How their 13-year-old daughter reversed prediabetes with just one product Tips for staying consistent with the protocol — even with a busy family life Why their doctors were shocked (and sometimes resistant) to their progress What it's saving them financially, physically, and emotionally Links & Resources: 🔗 Feel Great System Info + Order 🔗 More episodes of Optimal Metabolism 🔗 Learn more about my programs

If you're dealing with anxiety, low mood, chronic stress, or hormonal chaos—you're not broken. You may just be out of rhythm. In this powerful episode, Shana is joined by Dr. Kelli Ritter—licensed counselor, functional nutritional therapy practitioner, and quantum circadian specialist—to unpack how circadian disruption is a hidden root cause behind so many modern symptoms. From anxiety and insomnia to burnout and hormone imbalance, Dr. Kelli reveals how our light environment, trauma history, and daily rhythms impact the nervous system—and what it really takes to heal. This conversation is both science-backed and soul-nourishing, especially for the woman who's doing everything right but still feels stuck. 🔑 What You'll Learn: Why anxiety and trauma are often symptoms of circadian chaos How modern life dysregulates the nervous system (and how to repair it) The link between hormone imbalance, poor sleep, and emotional instability Why rest and rhythm—not more willpower—are the real medicine How to build safety, stability, and regulation into your everyday life 🧠 About Dr. Kelli Ritter Dr. Kelli blends 25+ years of experience in counseling, functional nutrition, and quantum biology. Her approach helps women rewire the nervous system, reconnect with their bodies, and return to rhythm for true emotional and physical healing. 🔗 Links Mentioned: 🌿 Follow Dr. Kelli Ritter on Instagram ✨ Explore the Feel Great System endorsed by Shana 💻 Courses & Coaching with Shana 🎧 More Podcast Episodes

In this episode, Shana Hussin, RDN, shares the replay of her recent webinar on GLP-1 — the hormone behind today's most popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. You'll learn: ✔️ What GLP-1 is and how it works in the body ✔️ Natural ways to increase GLP-1 for fewer cravings, better blood sugar, and fat loss ✔️ Lifestyle habits that decrease GLP-1 and fuel insulin resistance ✔️ The truth about GLP-1 medications: cost, side effects, and sustainability ✔️ How to safely transition off GLP-1 drugs by improving natural GLP-1 and gut health ✔️ The research behind Unimate Yerba Mate and Balance Fiber Matrix — and how they support GLP-1 signaling in the Feel Great System ✨ If you've ever wondered whether you really need expensive GLP-1 medications, or if there's a more sustainable, root-cause solution, this episode is for you. Resources & Links: 👉 Watch the full webinar REPLAY HERE 👉 Learn more about the Feel Great System: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/ 👉 OUT SOON! My upcoming GET UNSTUCK program — where we combine metabolic health, circadian health, spiritual health, and the Feel Great System in one framework.

So many women feel broken, exhausted, and out of alignment with their bodies—and their faith. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Austin Lake, Christian functional medicine practitioner and founder of Wholly Health, to explore the deeper root causes of hormone imbalance, infertility, adrenal dysfunction, and weight gain through a biblical lens. Dr. Lake shares how disrupted circadian rhythm, chronic stress, nutrient depletion, and over-medicalization are keeping women stuck—and how true healing begins by returning to God's design. What We Discuss in This Episode: Why hormone issues like infertility, PCOS, and fatigue are often misunderstood The dangerous over-reliance on birth control and hormone replacement How circadian rhythm, light exposure, and rest impact female hormones The spiritual consequences of idolizing productivity over healing The importance of restoring biblical identity in the healing journey Why women must return to foundational health—before reaching for hormones 🌟 AND… something big is coming: I'm hosting a FREE LIVE webinar on Wednesday, Sept 10 I'll teach you all about GLP-1 hormone, GLP-1 agonist meds, how to come off these meds if that's your goal, and natural alternatives to cholesterol and weight loss meds. 👉 Save your seat now: shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/webinar/ Whether it's your circadian rhythm, adrenals, gut, or insulin resistance—you'll leave with clarity on what your body truly needs to heal. You don't want to miss this!

Episode Summary: Summer may have been fun, but if your energy, weight, or motivation feel off, you're not alone. This solo episode is your permission slip to stop the extremes and start fresh—with a metabolism reset grounded in balance, not burnout. Shana walks you through why so many women feel worse after summer, and what to do now to feel amazing again—without restrictive dieting or relying on medications like Ozempic, metformin, or statins. If you're feeling puffy, tired, or stuck, this episode will show you how to gently reset your metabolism, support your hormones, and finally feel great again. 🔑 What You'll Learn: The real reason summer throws off your hormones and blood sugar Why cortisol, GLP-1, and insulin are the key players in weight gain and cravings What NOT to do in September (hint: it's not more fasting or keto) What the Feel Great System is—and why it works 3 simple strategies to reset this week Sneak peek of Shana's upcoming free webinar on weaning off GLP-1 meds naturally 🔗 Links Mentioned: 🎓 Register for the Free Webinar (Sept 10 @ 12PM CT) 🌿 Learn More About the Feel Great System 💻 Shana's Courses & Programs 📱 Follow Shana on Instagram 🎙 More Podcast Episodes