The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast

This podcast episode explores topics such as managing energy and mood, regulating blood sugar, the impact of health anxiety on healing, the multidimensional aspects of health, lab test markers for blood sugar control, supplements for blood sugar regulation, the connection between emotions and exhaustion, and the concept of the exhausting ladder of health.

A recent moment of serendipity led me to an invitation for a Mastermind event in Santa Monica. It was WAY outside my comfort zone. And I went anyway. But not without fear, discomfort and anxiety.In order to expand beyond the edges of your comfort zone, you have to first find those edges, and bump up against them. And that sh*t is uncomfortable.Attending this event asked me to punch holes in a LOT of belief systems about myself. To really look at the stories I was telling myself about myself and ask: are these true? Do I want to continue to operate as though these are true? What stories and beliefs need updating? Am I willing to step out of these in order to create a new story for myself?And I had the opportunity to do this with a LOT of beliefs, ALL AT ONCE, in a very short period of time.Within 36 hours of being home, I grabbed the mic so I could talk you through the exact process of how I held myself through the discomfort of growth. And how WORTH IT it was.And also share with you the clarity, self-acceptance and magic I found on the other side.This episode is all about expanding our capacity for what we give ourselves permission to be, do and have.– From ErinIn this episode:-Upcoming $44 breathwork event for setting new year intentions [5:06]-What’s a Mastermind and why Erin joined one [8:29]-Punching holes in beliefs in order to grow [11:11]-How to safely stretch the edges of your comfort zone [17:45]-What it means when your emotional reaction is disproportionate to a situation - and what to do [20:06]-Parts Integration for healing [22:40]-The magic on the other side of discomfort [36:59]-7 questions to ask yourself by the end of the year [46:46]Sign up for the Breathwork Event here: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/newyearFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/234-holding-yourself-back

On today’s show Erin sits down with Angelo Keely, the Co-founder and CEO of Kion, a supplement and functional food company dedicated to helping health and fitness enthusiasts live long, fun, active lives by providing clean, energy enhancing solutions.Angelo knows his stuff when it comes to protein intake, so this is exactly what this episode is all about - protein needs, different types of protein, amino acids, strategizing protein intake for muscle mass, and why building muscle is a worthwhile health investment.Like Erin, Angelo does not subscribe to any one diet dogma, so it was great to get his well rounded thoughts on all things protein and amino acids. Erin enjoyed talking to him so much that she lost track of time, so we know you’re gonna love this discussion, too!In this episode:-Get to know Angelo Keely, co-founder of Kion Aminos [4:18]-Why building muscle supports longevity, healthy aging, and fat loss [10:44]-Anabolic resistance and using amino acids for aging, stress, injury and sickness [13:04]-The metabolic impacts of protein intake and maintaining muscle [16:40]-How the body uses plant proteins, animal proteins, and raw amino acids [19:22]-The optimal combination of amino acids for muscle protein synthesis [21:05]-Recommendations for protein intake based on your weight and goals [25:45]-How essential amino acids prevent muscle loss while fasting [35:50]-Whole food options to increase your protein [39:38]-Using amino acids to support blood sugar regulation between meals [45:05]-Leveraging amino acids for fasting with chronic SIBO and GI issues [46:48]-Whey protein powders or amino acids - which one should you use? [47:47]-The best way to leverage Kion Aminos for building muscle when resistance training [52:15]-Angelo’s thoughts on Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) [54:06]FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/233-protein-intake-building-muscle-mass

Whether you like it or not, social media is a pretty omnipresent part of our life. It’s here, and it’s here to stay. So it makes good sense to figure out how to engage with it in a way that supports us and makes us feel good. And based on Erin’s recent Instagram polls (oh, irony), this is currently not the case for many.In today’s episode, Erin examines how she has been feeling about social media, which seems to be part of the collective felt experience – for creators and consumers alike.We’re calling this one a “think piece” because it’s designed to do just that – get you to think about your consumption AND evaluate: How does this make me feel? And do I want to change? From there, we can incorporate that data into actionable steps.Erin rounds out this discussion with strategies to redefine how you engage with social media, including ways to bring more intentionality, presence and appreciation into your consumption (and creation!).This conversation is relevant whether you’re a content creator, consumer, an educator, someone looking to be educated, a business owner, a parent/caretaker…or some mix of all of the above.In this episode:-Lessons from eclipse szn [2:48]-Hyperconnectivity vs. disconnection from self [9:09]-What’s up with social media? A collective felt experience [10:19]-The 3 main reasons why people are feeling overwhelmed [16:41]-Why rest is resistance [18:26]-Perspective & insights from creators [19:32]-Why unconscious consumption feels bad for everyone [29:07]-Social media & your brain chemistry [39:00]-What’s dopamine got to do with it? [44:44]-Moving from distraction to clarity [47:06]-Your power is in your presence [48:31]-A POWERFUL question to ask yourself [52:02]-Specific practices to redefine your relationship with social media [58:59]-Bringing intentionality, presence and appreciation into your consumption - and creation [1:02:19]FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/232-brain-health-intentionality-social-media

Erin, a functional medicine practitioner, blends functional medicine, energy anatomy, and intuitive medicine in her unique functional alchemy approach. In this podcast, she addresses a listener's struggles with SIBO, IBS, GERD, and constipation. Erin discusses strategies to feel better, functional lab testing, emotions, and energetics behind symptoms, root causes of SIBO, and treatment strategies for gastritis and prokinetics. A great episode for those with GI disorders!

They unpack how infections, chemicals and a leaky gut can switch on autoimmunity. Short explanations cover molecular mimicry, bystander activation and microbiome diversity. They list functional lab options for immune, gut and toxin testing. Practical lifestyle basics like sleep, movement and blood sugar are highlighted before jumping into testing.

Self-compassion: not typically considered a healing "biohack", but today's show might change your opinion on that.It's fair to say that most of us struggle with self-compassion. With easy access to external influences (hello social media, beauty standards, and manipulative marketing), it becomes easy to view ourselves through an excessively critical lens. Self-compassion is an important part of a complete healing plan, which is why Erin and one of her mentors, Jessica Flanigan Brown, bring this topic to light. Simply put, the concept of self-compassion is foreign to most in the disordered eating space, and especially in mainstream diet culture. Self compassion is the missing link to helping those affected by eating disorders to heal and persevere.Tune in to learn about self-compassion and its critical components, the difference between intuitive eating and the self-compassion-centered concept of "Inner Eater", and relatable client examples where self-compassion-centered treatment has been successful. Walk away knowing how to take your first steps towards practicing self-compassion. Most importantly, be part of the ripple effect of healing and share this episode with someone in your life who may struggle with self-compassion.In this episode:-Get to know Jessica [2:21]-Why Jessica transitioned from primarily working with autoimmunity to the eating disorder cohort [6:48]-Emotional resilience: What is it, and do you have it? [11:18]-What are the primary components of self-compassion and how do they relate? [12:08]-Why intuitive eating doesn't work for everyone [14:48]-How to begin developing self-compassion and trusting ourselves [21:48]-How Jessica's concept of our "Inner Eater" differs from intuitive eating [28:48]-A few real-world examples of how the "Inner Eater" has been implemented [33:48]-What is the path to get started on practicing self-compassion? [47:48]-All about Transformational Eating™️ and how to connect with Jessica [49:48]Jessica Flanigan Brown is a clinical nutritionist and author of The Loving Diet. Jessica has been practicing clinical nutrition for 25 years. In her clinical practice, she specializes in gut restoration, and in her coaching practice, she specializes in disordered eating, especially in mid-life. She is finishing at Stanford University School of Medicine’s CCARE Applied Compassion Training program, where she will be a certified compassion teacher and educator. She helps others to get in touch with the healing power of their hearts with a practical approach. Find Jessica on IG @thelovingdietConnect with her on her website: thelovingdiet.comLearn more about her Transformational Eating™️ course here: thelovingdiet.com/landing-pageFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/229-self-compassion-disordered-eating

Part three of the Understanding Autoimmunity series explains why autoimmunity is becoming so prevalent. Erin dives into the roles our modern food sources, microbiome, and environmental chemicals each play in autoimmunity. If you have been diagnosed with autoimmunity, this episode should help you understand your own unique story.Erin also provides information to help you understand ways to prevent autoimmunity. Even if you carry the underlying genes for autoimmunity, you have a lot of influence over whether or not these genes are expressed. In this episode:Autoimmunity statistics and causes [5:30]The role that our food source plays in autoimmunity [17:30]The link between autoimmunity and glyphosate [27:30]Why our immune system is dependent upon the health of our microbiome [33:30]How environmental chemicals can trigger autoimmunity [38:00]The good news: autoimmunity responds well to a healthy diet, lifestyle, and mindset [42:30]FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/228-autoimmunity-series-part3-genetics-microbiome-chemicals-environment

In part two of the Understanding Autoimmunity series, Erin unpacks the immune system. If you missed part one of the series, Episode 226, it is recommended you go back and listen to that episode first.Today, Erin discusses the components of the immune system, things that can get dysregulated with autoimmunity, and some conventional lab testing you can use to establish a baseline that will help you monitor your progress. She will provide some more clarity on what to look for in your lab results and some guidance on how to interpret the numbers.If you have questions about autoimmunity, shoot us an email with your question and we will capture some of them to share more information in future episodes. In this episode:-How to submit listener questions [3:30]-Two parts of the immune system: innate and adaptive [4:30]-Key features of autoimmunity [15:30]-Two types of autoimmunity: systemic and organ-specific [18:00]-Using the Cyrex Array 5 lab test to test for tissue-specific antibodies [26:30]-Three stages of autoimmunity explained [30:30]-Conventional and routine labs for autoimmunity [38:30]FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/227-autoimmunity-series-part2-components-stages-conventional-testing

When Erin was diagnosed with an autoimmune illness, she found herself in a new, somewhat unknown, world. Her autoimmune illness allowed her to grow to a new level in her career and expanded her understanding of her body and health. She realized that autoimmunity is widely misunderstood by both professionals and patients.Many people are searching for information on autoimmunity and they don't know what to do or where to turn. Erin's goal with this series is to thoroughly explain every aspect of autoimmunity. This series will provide you with information to help you understand autoimmunity and act as a resource you can share with people in your life who can use it. In this episode:- Celebrating The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast's 5th anniversary [1:01]- Why it's important to share information on autoimmunity [4:45]- Disclaimers and intentions of the series [8:00]- We need to create better resources, understanding, and treatment for autoimmunity [14:00]- What is autoimmunity? [21:00]- Red flags that you might be dealing with autoimmunity [24:00]- Is there a cure for autoimmunity? [28:00]- Two different ways of looking at autoimmunity, conventional health care and functional medicine [33:30]- What causes autoimmunity? [39:00]- Contributing factors to autoimmunity [48:30]FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/226-autoimmunity-series-part-1