The Root Cause Medicine Podcast

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and well-being. This week we’re joined by Dr. Bahar Esmaili, Director of Clinical Education at Rinovive. In this episode, Dr. Bahar Esmaili talks about dysfunctional breathing, the childhood development of our jaw and facial structures, and how that can impact our health in our adult life. Dr. Esmaili places a great emphasis on the relationship between oral health and overall well-being. She has undertaken multiple advanced education courses that delve into the connection between various aspects of the body, including gait, posture, the alignment of the jaw joint, and tension in facial muscles and how they relate to teeth structure and the airway. Dr. Esmaili is the Director of Clinical Education at Rinovive, Lead Clinical Director at Vivos Institute, and Strategic Advisor for the Council of Innovative Dentistry at 3M. Previously, she worked as a dentist for various companies and received a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine. Key Takeaways: What are TMJ and TMD? TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. TMD is a term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the TMJ and the surrounding muscles and tissues. Some of its symptoms include pain or tenderness in the jaw, difficulty chewing or opening the mouth wide, as well as headaches or earaches. Teeth and total body health Teeth are not born with us but come into the equation later, and they can affect our overall body health. The hinge of our jaw is directly aligned with the two first two vertebrae in our neck. All the muscles making the hinge of the jaw happen are directly affected by the position of the lower jaw. So if the lower jaw is far back or is hiding on there, you have a neck issue. When the mandible is tucked underneath an underdeveloped maxilla, it can push against the airway, leading to breathing difficulties. This causes the head to go into a forward posture, resulting in neck issues and affecting the curvature of the spine from top to bottom. Environmental factors and facial development Environmental factors such as chewing functions, swallowing correctly with the tongue at the roof of the mouth, and breathing through the nose are necessary for facial development between ages four to seven. Lack of breastfeeding and tongue tie can lead to various issues in children, such as a stuck back jaw, pushing the tongue and palate against the airway, making it difficult for them to breathe. This leads to further problems such as jaw issues, TMJ headaches, and back problems. Understanding sleep breathing disorder The growing epidemic of mouth breathing in children due to underdevelopment of the sinuses and nasal passages can lead to symptoms such as noisy breathing, mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, ADHD, fatigue, and brain fog. Some causes might include misalignment effects on the body, including masking pain with neurotransmitters, metabolic and neurotransmitter issues, an overactive immune system, or narrower airway difficulty reaching the deep sleep stage necessary for hormone regulation.

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Chris Kresser, Founder and CEO of Kresser Institute. In this episode, Chris Kresser and Dr. Carrie Jones dive into nutrient deficiency and talk about vital macronutrients and micronutrients, nutrient testing, RDAs, and more. Chris Kresser is a globally-renowned expert, clinician, and practitioner of integrative and functional medicine. He is the creator of one of the world’s most respected natural health sites, ChrisKresser.com, and a New York Times bestselling author of The Paleo Cure and Unconventional Medicine. Chris was named one of the 100 most influential people in health and fitness by Greatist.com and launched the supplement line Adapt Naturals. In 2014, he co-founded California Center for Functional Medicine and, in 2015, founded the Kresser Institute. Chris continues to tirelessly share evidence-based insights from reputable sources and renowned health practitioners and coaches through various channels such as his blogs, guides, webcasts, interviews, and his podcast, Revolution Health Radio. Key Takeaways: The perfect diet A healthy diet should meet your nutrient needs. There are two major nutrient categories, macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients). When you break down micronutrients, there are nutrients that we get from animals and nutrients that we get from plant-based foods. Animal nutrients include vitamin B12, iron, zinc, vitamin A, creatine, vitamin D, and high-quality protein. If you're eating an exclusively plant-based diet, that doesn't mean you can't get these nutrients in other ways. But you have to acknowledge that animals are a much better source of these essential vitamins and minerals. On the flip side, vitamin C can almost be exclusively found in plant foods, as well as phytonutrients such as carotenoids, lycopene, betaine, and lutein. The truth about nutrient testing The processing and storage of nutrients vary within the body, thus necessitating a thorough examination of each nutrient separately. Obtaining a bodily fluid or tissue sample such as blood, saliva, or urine is insufficient for determining what nutrients are present. Take calcium, for instance, which is kept within a very narrow range in the blood. Testing calcium levels in the blood may appear favorable, but it may not reflect reality. Therefore, we typically rely on a dietary assessment tool like MyFitnessPal to determine calcium intake. Similarly, iodine can be examined via a twenty-four-hour urine test to assess recent iodine consumption, but it is not indicative of long-term levels. To accurately assess all nutrients, you have to run different tests. Why does today's food have fewer nutrients? Soil quality degradation is a major factor impacting nutrient availability due to the disruption of the soil microbiome, which aids plants in extracting nutrition from the soil. Pesticides, herbicides, and industrial agricultural practices have restricted a plant's ability to obtain nutrients. Chris notes that consuming eight oranges today is equivalent to consuming just one orange for our grandparents in terms of nutritional value. Additionally, the globalization of the food system is also a contributor, as produce is often transported long distances and stored in unfavorable conditions, resulting in significant nutrient loss over time. Unpacking RDAs Recommended Dietary Allowances, or RDAs, are the levels of intake of essential nutrients that meet the known nutrient needs of a healthy person. RDAs were developed during World War II to create nutritious rations for soldiers. They have been updated over time, but the numbers still represent the minimum amount of a nutrient a person needs to avoid a malnutrition-triggered disease. However, RDAs don't take into account several factors that play a huge role in nutrient absorption and status, like gender, age, and health. Another issue with RDAs is that they don't consider bioavailability. When you see the amount of a nutrient listed on a food label, you might assume that you will absorb a hundred percent of that amount, but you would be dramatically wrong. RDAs also don't consider nutrient synergy. There are many cases where the presence of one nutrient helps with the absorption of another one. Magnesium is required for the bio utilization of vitamin D and vice versa. If you are getting enough vitamin D through sun exposure or supplements, but you are magnesium deficient, you will still have low biological activity of vitamin D. Also, check out Chris’ recommended lab testing: intracellular magnesium test, iodine test, and blood, urine, and saliva tests for nutritional deficiencies. Order these tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Dr. Andy Wong, Co-founder of Capital Integrative Health. In this episode, Dr. Andy Wong talks about the importance of brain health, including how physical and mental health are connected, the effects of alcohol consumption on cognitive decline, and how to take proactive measures to protect brain health. Dr. Andy Wong is a board-certified internal medicine doctor trained in integrative and functional medicine. He specializes in investigating the root cause of health issues and working with patients to optimize their health and wellness. Dr. Wong is trained in the Bredesen protocol for the reversal of cognitive decline and is also specialized in acupuncture, functional medicine, and nutrition. Key Takeaways: No brain, no gain Brain health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. It is intimately tied to who we are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It contains our life stories or experiences. It also mediates our emotions, both joy and sadness, feelings and thoughts. A healthy brain also helps us cultivate meaningful relationships. From a root cause medicine perspective, the brain is the organ that helps to influence all the others, so you have to continuously develop and exercise it. What is an inflamed brain? Neuroinflammation is basically inflammation of the nervous system, which is mediated by the innate immune cells of the brain called microglia that protect neurons. They can become inflamed and damage the neurons if they get out of control leading to symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, memory loss, or depression.. What causes brain inflammation? Alcohol is one major trigger for this type of inflammation, as it disrupts the blood-brain barrier and increases chemical messengers like NF kappa beta. A recent study from the UK showed that even two drinks a week is associated with cognitive decline. Other causes are dysregulated blood sugar, toxins, mycotoxins, an inflammatory diet, hypoxia (low oxygen), and gut inflammation. Physical and psychological stress can also lead to brain inflammation which can cause issues with memory, anxiety, depression, and brain fog. The root cause of depression Depression was recently discovered not as a cause of serotonin deficiency but rather by unchecked chronic brain inflammation. Physical and mental health are tied together. If someone has depression, they might have fatigue, body aches, or other physical issues. Dr. Andy Wong’s practical advice Focus on food by making eighty percent of meals whole food based. Sleep is an active process for the brain, during which it detoxifies beta-amyloid plaques that may contribute to Alzheimer's. So get enough sleep by aiming for seven or eight hours of sleep per night, with two hours before midnight to promote detoxification. Start a mindfulness practice such as yoga or exercise routine. Also, check out Dr. Andy Wong’s recommended lab testing: functional MRI, CT scan, neurology antibody testing, blood molecular tests, apolipoprotein E genetic testing, fasting blood sugar test, insulin testing, hormone testing, micronutrient testing, vibrant testing, omega check test, online neurocognitive testing. Order these tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Brendan Vermeire, Functional Medicine Consultant and Founder of Metabolic Solutions. In this episode, Brendan Vermeire talks about mental health, from depression, anxiety, and neuroinflammation to dementia and Alzheimer's. Brendan is a mental and metabolic health researcher, functional medicine educator, board-certified holistic practitioner, personal trainer, writer, speaker, and host of The Holistic Savage podcast. He is also the owner and founder of the Metabolic Solutions Institute for Functional Health and Fitness Practitioners and the Metabolic Solutions Research & Education Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to "changing the way the world views mental health" through advancing the science of mental health dysfunction. Key Takeaways: Debunking the classic psychiatric narrative The current model of mental health treatment in the psychiatric world offers limited treatment options, such as pills or therapy, with little consideration for underlying causes of inflammation or other factors that could contribute to mental health issues. As a result, mental health practitioners like Brendan focus on studying more predominant theories, such as cytokine or neurotrophic ones. Inflammation and mental health symptoms Brendan represents inflammation as "the cleansing fire the immune system uses to fight off pathogens and remodel tissues." Inflammation can be driven by anything, including food, mold, viruses, or pathogens. Most people aren't aware of it, but the average American is inflamed at a low chronic meta-level, which drives the chronic disease epidemic, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The role of neuroplasticity in mental health Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences and environmental factors. It is a crucial process that underlies learning, memory formation, and the recovery of function after brain injury. Interventions that promote neuroplasticity, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and physical exercise, effectively improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, which may help to promote positive changes in brain structure and function. How does the microbiome affect mental health? Changes in the microbiome can affect our mental health. Multiple research suggests that the microbiome composition can impact the brain through various mechanisms, including neurotransmitter regulation, inflammation, and immune system modulation. Additionally, some studies have found that a diverse and healthy microbiome is associated with better mental health outcomes. The Mental M.A.P. The Mental M.A.P. (Microglial Activation Profile) is a sophisticated lab panel that assesses the likelihood of microglial activation and neuroinflammation by evaluating multiple serological blood, urine, and even stool markers, as well as other core functions like methylation and nutrient imbalances. Also, check out Brendan’s recommended lab testing: The Mental M.A.P., C-reactive protein test, Homocysteine, Thromboxane B2, and Kryptopyrrole Order these tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Nicole Jardim, a Certified Women’s Health Coach. In this episode, Nicole Jardim joins Dr. Carrie Jones to share how to fix your periods and balance your hormones naturally. Nicole is a Certified Women’s Health Coach, writer, speaker, mentor, and creator of the Fix Your Period program. She is the author of Fix Your Period: 6 Weeks to Banish Bloating, Conquer Cramps, Manage Moodiness, and Ignite Lasting Hormone Balance, and the co-author of The Happy Balance, a recipe book filled with over eighty hormone-balancing recipes. Nicole is also the host of The Period Party podcast and has been called on as a women’s health expert for sites such as The Guardian, Well+Good, and Healthline. Key Takeaways: What does a normal period look like? Nicole highlights that a true period is always preceded by ovulation. If you don't ovulate in a particular cycle, then you're basically experiencing what is known as an anovulatory cycle or hormone withdrawal bleeding. Normal periods should last between three and seven days long. If they're over seven days, you might experience estrogen and progesterone issues. Painful cramps during the period are another sign of an unhealthy or abnormal period. What is a normal period flow? A range of sixty milliliters is considered ideal for the entire period. Over eighty milliliters is a heavy period, and under twenty-five is a very light period. The normal period range is somewhere between thirty and fifty milliliters. Heavy versus light periods Heavy periods are often caused by a reproductive hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, ovarian dysfunction, or other hormone-related condition. An excessively light period usually indicates a lack of estrogen, nutrients, ovulation, or thyroid issues. What is PMS? Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, ranges from physical like bloating, crampiness, heaviness, headaches, migraines, and body aches, to mental and emotional symptoms, like being quick to anger, impatient, frustrated, or anxious. Though some of these symptoms are normal, many are driven by inflammation, detoxification problems, blood sugar issues, and lifestyle. What is PMDD? Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which causes a range of emotional, mental, and physical symptoms, and somewhere between two and eight percent of women worldwide experience it. Also, check out Nicole’s recommended lab testing: Gut testing, DUTCH Test Order these tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Dr. Jeff Gladd, Founder of GladdMD Integrative Medicine and Chief Medical Officer at Fullscript. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Gladd answers all your questions about supplements, including reading labels, fish oil break down,, curcumin, vitamin D, and more. Dr. Jeff Gladd has over twenty-one years of experience in the medical field. He is the owner of GladdMD Integrative Medicine and Chief Medical Officer at Fullscript. Dr. Gladd has become a sought-after speaker on physician entrepreneurship, social media, and technology in healthcare and regularly speaks at Holistic Primary Care’s annual Heal Thy Practice conference. In 2008, Dr. Gladd founded and launched PureHealthMD.com, a website housing professionally authored content to educate people on the lifestyle aspects of health, which he and his partners sold to the Discovery Channel. In 2011, he created and launched the web’s first nutrient depletion calculator, Mytavin.com. Key Takeaways: Are all vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and herbs created the same? Supplements differ by brand and the source from which you purchase it. For example, you might buy a bottle of magnesium with no magnesium in the capsules. Dr. Gladd highlights the importance of sourcing high-quality supplements from reliable sources to ensure their expected benefit. And the quality starts with the ingredient source. Ensure you take high-quality and standardized supplements Dr. Gladd states, "the supplement industry is a bit more wild west," so you should be more diligent and research every single supplement or herb you want to buy. Study the company's website, and if you see they're proud of what they're doing and invest that level of concern in high-quality products, it might be a good indicator the product is good. Debunking the myth of multiple supplements in one pill If you read on the label that one capsule contains about thirty supplements, bear in mind that the dose of each component is insignificant. You can't get thirty supplements into one capsule and get the expected results, but people don't realize this. It's better to choose a single ingredient at the standardized dose that the evidence supports. Good versus bad supplements High-quality supplements shouldn't contain food coloring, cornstarch, or dye. Dr. Gladd also does a multivitamin screening test with his patients to evaluate the form of vitamin E and magnesium and determine the supplement's quality level. High-quality vitamin E should contain mixed tocopherols, while magnesium should be magnesium citrate or glycinate. Most of the inexpensive, poorer-quality multivitamins use DL-alpha-tocopherol and magnesium oxide. Omega-3 and fish oil supplements Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are anti-inflammatory and are great for cardiovascular and brain health. However, you have to ensure you take good-quality fish oil and the right dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which is at least 1000 milligrams of total EPA plus DHA daily. Vitamin D: benefits, sources, and dosage Vitamin D isn't really a vitamin, but a pro-hormone in the body, which has multiple functions including bone, metabolic, hormone health, blood sugar regulation, and immune support. Sun exposure is the best way to get vitamin D. Other methods include drops or soft gel capsules. Dr. Gladd suggests taking vitamin D doses between 2,000 - 4,000 international units per day, depending on the individual's blood level. Also, check out Dr. Gladd’s recommended lab testing: Multivitamin screening test, homocysteine tests, and the MTHFR test. Order all these tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Dr. Jeffrey Bland, aka the “Father of Functional Medicine.” In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Bland talks about immunometabolism, the long-term effects of COVID-19 on our immune system, chronic fatigue syndrome, your cardiovascular health, and much more. Dr. Bland is an internationally recognized leader in the nutritional and functional medicine field. He co-founded The Institute for Functional Medicine in 1991 and is known to many as the “Father of Functional Medicine.” In the early 1980s, Dr. Bland was hand-selected by two-time Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus Pauling to serve as Director of Nutritional Research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine. Dr. Bland has authored several best-selling books about nutritional medicine and over 120 peer-reviewed research publications. He is also the CEO KinDex Pharmaceuticals, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Bering Select Seafoods Company, and Founder and President of Big Bold Health and the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institue.. Dr. Bland is a fellow of both the American College of Nutrition, where he is a certified nutrition specialist and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry. Key Takeaways: - Understanding immune rejuvenation About ten percent of individuals who experienced COVID ended up with some form of consequences, otherwise called long COVID, which presents itself with a myriad of different signs and symptoms, including foggy brain, sleep disturbances, behavior changes, depression, respiratory-related issues, fatigue, and others. Some people describe it as the immune system being scarred. However, these scars are, to some extent, reversible, and scientists call the process immune rejuvenation. - Weak immune system and COVID-19 In terms of health outcomes, from the exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the United States did more poorly than any other developed country worldwide due to the population's less resilient immune system, which was set up to be more vulnerable to COVID. As a result, many people still experience COVID-related symptoms two years after getting over the infection. - The chronic fatigue syndrome Dr. Bland states that the HIV/AIDS era, followed by the chronic fatigue syndrome era in the eighties and nineties, had the same presentation of symptoms that we're seeing with long COVID. Today, doctors and scientists recognize chronic fatigue syndrome as an illness that results in injury to the mitochondria in our cells, which lowers our energy-producing capabilities. Generally, our immune system is energetically hungry when active and can use up to fifty percent of our metabolic energy. So, when affected, our body resilience gets low. - Post-COVID cardiac effects Other than the pulmonary effects on respiration, breathing, and energy and cognitive dysfunction like brain fog, there are also various cardiac effects. People with heart diseases have inflammatory conditions in their coronary arteries and vessels that conduct blood and immune system cells throughout the body, and this represents an inflammatory issue of their immune systems. So the immune system connects to metabolism, which then connects to your heart.

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and well-being. This week we’re joined by Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Medical Director and Physician at Brio-Medical. Dr. Goodyear shares his holistic, natural, and integrative approach to addressing cancer. Dr. Goodyear is the medical director of Brio-Medical, a holistic, integrative cancer healing center in Arizona. He uses the principles and science of holistic, natural, and integrative therapies to treat and target the healing potential in people with cancer. Dr. Goodyear is also the Chairman of the Scientific Medical Advisory Board for the Vitamin C International Consortium Institute, a Fellow in Functional and Regenerative Medicine, and served on the American Functional Medicine Association Board. He has authored two books: Manboob Nation: An Integrative Medicine Approach to Low Testosterone and Total Testosterone Transformation. To learn more about integrative cancer care, check out the key takeaways of this episode or the transcript below. Also, check out Dr. Goodyear’s recommended lab testing: Blood Test, Urine Test, Tumor Markers Testing and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Test. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Test can be ordered through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide Key Takeaways: The future of treating cancer Dr. Goodyear believes in taking a precision and accuracy-focused approach to treating cancer, which includes looking at multi-omics such as genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and immunomodulomics. The goal is to create a treatment program that targets the tumor and one that heals the body at the same time. Vitamin C as an option for Cancer A European study showed no benefits in adding vitamin C to the patients receiving the chemo in the immunotherapeutics, but only in patients with RAS mutation. So vitamin C directly targets RAS mutations and does help if you target the correct mutations. Vitamin C properties Vitamin C supports the immune system and pro-oxidative cancer stem cells. If you're dealing with bone metastasis, vitamin C works well in penetrating cancer that is growing in bone. Overall, vitamin C is incredibly metabolically active against cancer cells but not in non-cancer cells. Understanding cancer recurrence When looking at cancer treatments today, we have to recognize that chemotherapy, full-dose radiation, and surgery can shrink a primary tumor. But research shows that it can also set up a situation where it spreads cancer cells. The vast majority of issues associated with cancer, including the cause of death, are when it spreads. So you must continue the healing process because the dysfunction might still persist. Lifestyle tips to help reduce cancer risks Living in an active, healthy, balanced, and stress-free environment is foundational to cancer prevention and treatment. So feed your body with good nutrition that will enable it to function correctly, repair broken mechanisms, and reduce inflammation. Also, help your body combat stress, take care of your emotional, psychological, and spiritual environments, and exercise constantly.

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and well-being. This week we’re joined by Dr. Chip Watkins, President of NCHealthSPAN, Regional Medical Director at Community Care of NC, and Chief Medical Officer at Sanesco International. In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Chip Watkins talks to us about neurotransmitters, what they are, what their functions are, the different types, and potential issues related to neurotransmitters. Dr. Chip Watkins has over twenty years of experience in private practice, teaching, and corporate medicine. He uses mind-body medicine in his practice and nutritional approaches to care and has an understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and bioenergetics. Dr. Watkins is the President of NCHealthSPAN, Regional Medical Director at Community Care of NC, and Chief Medical Officer at Sanesco International. He is also a Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a past president and Chairman of the Board of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. Also, check out Dr. Chip Watkins’ recommended lab testing: Neurotransmitter testing, Neurotransmitter metabolite testing, Blood testing, Spot urine test These labs can both be ordered through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide Key Takeaways: What is a neurotransmitter? Neurotransmitters are chemical substances released at the end of a nerve fiber. By definition, neurotransmitters are neurohormones because they are signaling molecules secreted by a neuron to affect another cell across a synapse, which could be another neuron, a body part, a gland, or a muscle cell. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that your body really cannot function without. You should have enough chemical messengers, and they have to be in the right balance of release and reuptake for the system to work properly. GABA deficiency symptoms When GABA levels are too low, it's difficult for the body to relax after a stress-induced neurotransmitter release. This might lead to mood disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, memory issues, sexual dysfunction, and even perimenopause and menopause conditions. What are the main neurotransmitters? The human nervous system has about forty neurotransmitters and over 100 neuroactive substances. Some of these are dopamine, GABA, glutamate, serotonin, glycine, and histamine. The scientific community breaks them into inhibitory (serotonin, GABA, and glycine) and excitatory (norepinephrine epinephrine glutamate) neurotransmitters. How does the body make neurotransmitters? Neurotransmitters are synthesized by enzymes, most of which start out as amino acids that we get from our diet. Neurotransmitters can be separated into two groups, the amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamate, glycine, and GABA) and the biogenic amines or the monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine). Neurotransmitters and gut health Amino acids come from your diet. So the food you choose to eat and the status of your gut health is crucial to the creation of the neurotransmitters. Many neurotransmitters are made in the gut, like 95% of serotonin and about fifty percent of both GABA and dopamine.

The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Dr. Aumatma Simmons, CEO of Holistic Fertility Institute. In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Aumatma Simmons shares her method of helping women who struggle with fertility, miscarriage, and staying healthy during pregnancy. Dr. Aumatma Simmons, or "Dr. Aum" as her patients refer to her, is board-certified in naturopathic endocrinology. She has been in practice for fifteen years, ten of which have been hyper-focused on fertility. As the Chief Executive Officer of Holistic Fertility Institute, Dr. Aum works with couples who want to start a family through her four-step restorative fertility model. She is a sought speaker, trainer, and best-selling author of two books, Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Baby-Making and (In)Fertility: Struggles, Secrets, & Successes. To learn more about fertility and pregnancy, check out the key takeaways of this episode or the transcript below. Also, check out Dr. Aumatma Simmons’ recommended lab testing: Cheat Sheet Test, Diva's Detox Guide. These labs can both be ordered through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide Key Takeaways: Start with testing When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, the first thing to focus on is testing. Start testing things like the follicle-stimulating hormone, the luteinizing hormone, the anti-mullerian hormone, and estradiol, ideally on days two, three, or four of your cycle. Regarding lab testing, there is a big diversion between what's considered normal and optimal. So when looking at your results, if you're outside of that optimal level, you have a good starting point of what to focus on. Lifestyle and fertility In a heterosexual couple, a lot of pressure and fertility problems are put on the woman and her age. However, fertility is not just an age factor but also a lifestyle one. If you are not sleeping well, stressing yourself out, living a toxic lifestyle, drinking alcohol, or smoking cigarettes, your age will play a role in your fertility. But that is relevant for both men and women. So lifestyle has a great impact on your reproduction. Ovulation 101 Ovulation is the process of the ovaries producing anywhere from one to fifteen follicles in any natural cycle. After the development of all these follicles, the body detects the one with the highest quality, which will be released into the fallopian tube. This follicle travels down the fallopian tube, where the sperm should fertilize the egg. But the egg still has a protective layer called the zona pellucida. So when the sperm gets to the egg, the one with the right motility, movement, and morphology will break through that zona pellucida. The problem comes when the sperm doesn't have great quality and cannot do its job. And similarly, if that egg doesn't have all the right features, it may not get fertilized. Or it will get fertilized and then turn into an embryo that maybe doesn't implant, which would be called a chemical pregnancy. Or it implants and ends in a loss, hence a miscarriage.