Functional Medicine Podcast

This is the first of a two-part series on raising healthy children in our modern-day world. In this episode we focus on healthy eating. In part two we will explore many other aspects of Raising Healthy Children.Our guests, Lindsay Mathews and Rachel Norgan are both Registered Nurses, and Lindsay is also an IIN certified Health Coach. Together they bring to us their wisdom from many years of professional experience in treating, counseling, and coaching children and families. They are both also in the trenches of being active, thoughtful, and engaged moms of some pretty amazing young children. They underscore the significance of teaching children how to navigate life's challenges on their own, rather than simply providing them with solutions. Lindsay and Rachel emphasize the importance of kids understanding the "why" behind healthy choices, rather than just focusing solely on rules and regulations. They also highlight the value of modeling healthy behaviors for our children and fostering an under

Wellness Connection MD is THE evidence-based podcast on all things wellness. This episode is a follow-up to our previous show on the Top Ten Supplements for all-purpose use. However, in this edition Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay discuss specific supplements that may be helpful for our most common and devastating diseases. Dr. Peter Attia's excellent book "Outlive" describes the Four Horsemen of diseases: Cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Neurodegenerative diseases, and Metabolic dysfunction (like diabetes). These diseases are the leading causes of death for most Americans. In our usual evidence-based fashion we present to you some supplements that may be helpful for these conditions., along with some evidence to back up our recommendations. In addition to the Four Horsemen, we also provide some helpful hints on two other common health problems, which include arthritis and osteoporosis. Coach Lindsay points out that supplements may be quite helpful, but they never replace a good diet. Also, attend

In this episode of Wellness Connection MD, Dr. Jim McMinn and health coach Lindsay Mathews dive deep into the world of nutritional supplements. They count down their top 10 favorite supplements, explaining the science and research behind each one.Some of the supplements covered include a quality multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin D, probiotics, curcumin, bioflavonoids, magnesium and more. For each supplement, they review studies showing the potential benefits for conditions like heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, and more.As an added bonus, they also discuss the main causes of death and disease, and then list the supplements that have been shown to help with these conditions. They also discuss the importance of getting supplements from reputable brands, looking out for drug interactions, and working with your doctor. Throughout the episode, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay emphasize taking an evidence-based approach to using supplements safely and effectively.Whether you're new to s

In this episode of the Wellness Connection MD podcast, Dr. McMinn takes an evidence-based look into the world of acupuncture alongside Dr. Margot Walbert, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine.  Dr. Walbert shares her expertise on acupuncture's philosophy, training, techniques, and its efficacy in treating various conditions. She starts by reviewing some of the fundamental TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) tenants such as Qi (life force energy), and the five elements. She also discusses how in Chinese medicine they are always looking for the root cause of the problem, similar to a functional medicine approach. Dr. Walbert walks the listener through the process of clinical evaluation, devising a customized treatment protocol, and what it is like to experience an actual acupuncture session. She emphasizes the importance of patient comfort and the mind-body connection.  Dr. McMinn reviews the evidence, and Dr. Walbert discusses her experience with successfully treating such conditions as pain, nausea, migraines, g

On the Wellness Connection MD  podcast wet strive to present to you practical solutions to your health care concerns.  In this episode we describe a step by step guide to achieving your optimal wellness goals .   Beginning a wellness journey may seem daunting.   Where do I begin?  How can I get from here to there?  Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay break it down for you, along with a powerful graphic illustration called Dr. McMinn’s “Arch of Wellness.”  You can find this at McMinnMD.com under the Documents section, or athttps://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/62e64053-aa44-44d0-99a1-972bd0a23d2f/downloads/Arch.jpg?ver=1711505564628   The two legs of the arch represent an empowered patient and an engaged provider working together to achieve  optimal outcomes.   The two legs of the arch meet in middle at the keystone, which ties it all together.  The keystone represents Behavioral Change.  It is the fundamental way that we live our lives that ultimately determines our health status.  As the old saying goes "you can’t

Podcast summary In this episode of Wellness Connection MD, Dr. McMinn take  a deep dive into  the root causes of disease and how an understanding of these root causes can be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool as a part of a functional medicine approach to a patient.Think about your own health, or if you are a provider then think about the patient in front of you, then keep asking the question "What is the underlying root cause of the problem."   Then use the list of root causes outlined in this podcast to help you come up with the answers. I call this the "why" approach to medicine. This approach may help you better understand the problem, and thus come up with more effective solutions. Along the way, Dr McMinn also provides some insights and practical solutoins pertaining to each of these root causes of diseae. At the end he summarizes all of these into the four fundmental causes of disease.  It is where these four factors come together that we see disease emerge. Support the show

This is Part 2 of a series on Emotional Wellness.  The conversation explores various aspects of our emotions, including the connection between lifestyle medicine, such as exercise, sleep, and diet, and our emotional well-being.  We also discuss promoting emotional well-being in schools and in the workplace.  We discuss the influence of social media and technology on emotional wellness.  Emily breaks down the positive effect of connection with nature, and fostering deep and meaningful relationships on our emotions.  She discusses the challenges faced by different groups in relation to emotional wellness: men v. women, old v. young, and differences along racial lines, as well as other minorities.  She then turns to the concept of an emotional set point and sensitivity.  She identifies the red flags  of emotional distress, and how we cqn support others who might be struggling.   The path to emotional wellness begins with awareness, and Emily discusses other strategies such as journaling and breathwork to help us

This is the first episode in a two part series on the urgently important topic of emotional wellness. In this episode of Wellness Connection MD, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay Matthews discuss the importance of emotional wellness with guest Emily Hudak.   Emily is a certified holistic health coach, certified dietary supplement professional, with a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is also the founder of  Whole With Emily where she supports clients in their mental, emotional, and  whole-body health with a holistic approach,  utilizing lifestyle medicine to significantly improve emotional well-being. She is passionate about wellness, and has made it her life's work.  Together Dr. McMinn, Lindsay, and Emily explore the impact of emotional wellness on overall health and address the alarming statistics on emotional distress in our society.   Emily shares her experiences in the mental health field and the challenges of integrating holistic wellness into traditional mental health care

Welcome to the launch of the Wellness Connection MD podcast, where Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsey become your partners on a quest for optimal wellness.  On our previous show, the Functional Medicine Podcast,  we discussed a wide variety of healthcare subjects, from a functional and integrative medicine point of view.   The purpose of this episode is to introduce ourselves to any new listeners under our new name.   We would also like to share with you our philosophy of healthcare and to explain to you why we take the approach that we do, and how we got here.       Our overall goal is to bring to you up-to-date, honest, vetted, unbiased, evidence-based information about health and wellness, along with practical solutions, in order to empower you to overcome your healthcare challenges, and to optimize your health in mind, body, and spirit.        However, as our population ages, and we are faced with evermore chronic diseases.  The disease- pill model is simply not working  for these individuals and for our societ

Welcome to the Functional Medicine Podcast. This episode is actually a mini-cast" announcing our name change to "Wellness Connection MD,” which will start with our next episode.Our podcast has always been dedicated to providing up-to-date, unbiased, evidence based, honest information on a wide variety of health-related subjects, from a functional, integrative and lifestyle medicine point of view.  On each podcast we have also attempted to offer practical, take- home solutions in order to help our listeners overcome health care challenges, and to promote optimization in mind, body, and spirit. Our goal  has always been to help as many people as possible, and in an attempt  to bring this valuable information to a wider audience we have decided to change the name of our podcast to "Wellness Connection MD."  It is our hope that  by making this name change we will be better able to connect with people who are interested in such information, but who not familiar with the term "functional me

Unraveling Adrenal FatigueIn this insightful podcast Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay, along with special guest Rachel Olsen, will delve into the science of adrenal fatigue.  We will break down the controversy surrounding this important subject, and  we will explore how it influences various aspects of our physical, mental and emotional well-being. We will also explain why the term "adrenal fatigue" is somewhat of a misnomer, and that the term HPA Axis Dysfunction is a more accurate and descriptive name for  what is really going on with these patients.  By reviewing the mainstream medical literature we will demonstrate that this is a legitimate disease, causing very real symptoms, despite the fact that this condition is often not recognized by the mainstream medical establishment.  In this podcast listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the HPA axis. We discuss the physiology, as well as the symptom, work-up, diagnosis, and treatment of HPA axis dysregulation.    We  also share with our lis

 In this episode  of the Functional Medicine Podcast we present to you a detailed discussion of men's sexual health  with our special guest  Nurse Valerie Padd,  certified  sexual educator and coach.  Sexual well-being is a part of the fabric of overall  health.  A vibrant sex life is your birthright, and yet it is very common for men to struggle with various sexual health concerns.  These concerns may be devastating to the affected individuals. Yet, men's sexual issues are stigmatized and swept under the rug.  Men are often embarrassed and even ashamed to discuss these issues and seek help.   They are left to feel frustrated and inadequate,  and are  often forced to suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn for help. In this episode of the Functional Medicine Podcast we  unabashedly address these issues head on.  We offer a range of practical solutions for our listeners, so that they can better understand men's sexual health concerns,  and move forward toward a more fulfilling  sex life. Va

On the Functional Medicine Podcast we attempt to help you achieve "optimization"  in every aspect of your life, and your intimate life is no exception.  As a functional medicine doctor, I heard the concerns of my women patients, and sadly, the majority of them complained of issues related to sexual health.   The medical community has largely ignored these issues, and we have taught these women to suffer in silence.   Today on the show, we are excited to present to you Ms. Valerie Padd, RN, a sexual health expert and certified sex counselor.  Together we explore what a healthy thriving sex life looks like, and we also discuss many of the common problems that women experience in the sexual arena.  We discuss  pain with intercourse, along with low desire, difficult arousal, problems with orgasm, and many other sexual health concerns.  Throughout this discussion, we also present practical solutions for improvement in these areas.  So sit back, tune in and enjoy the show!Support the show Please CLICK ON

Have you ever contemplated the potential of Lifestyle Medicine? Get ready to have your mind expanded as we journey through this empowering field of medicine that influences health outcomes more powerfully than anything else. You're about to discover the undeniable impact of lifestyle on health outcomes and its potential in preventing and treating many diseases.Stay with us as we pull back the curtain on the primal and Mediterranean lifestyles, traits that can significantly reduce the risk of conditions like dementia, heart disease,  stroke, and many others. Learn about the compelling evidences that support the potency of lifestyle medicine in managing some of America's most feared diseases like diabetes, osteoarthritis and many more. We're here to equip you with practical tips and insights to start moving your health in the right direction today. Don’t miss out as we unravel the cornerstones of a healthy diet, exercise, socialization, the pitfalls of a sedentary lifestyle, and the crucial role

Scientists agree that chronic inflammation contributes to just about every disease known to man, such as heart disease, cancer, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseaes, etc.  Dr. McMinn and Lindsay tackle the difficult subject of chronic systemic inflammation and they break it down for you in simple terms. They explain what it is, why it is important, what causes it, how to know if you have it, and how to prevent and treat inflammation. Inflammation is not just an academic subject that should be relegated to the labortory, but instead it is a profoundly important and practical topic that applies to the basic health of all of us. Applying the therapies discussed in this podcast may help you live a longer, healthier, and better life.   Support the show Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to support the show.-Check out our website at https://mcminnmd.com for other IMPORTANT LINKS, including social media links. You can find these at the bottom of the main page under the heading "Helpful Link

Modern medicine these days is often practiced in silos. We have an "ologist" for this (like a cardiologist) and an "ologist" for that (like a gastroenterologist), and they are often not talking to each other.  However, in fact it is all connected, but very few doctors look at the big picture.   The master connector of the entire body  is the mind. As an old Chinese proverb says "The body is a puppet of the mind."  On this show we are blessed to have with us Dr. Erica Young, one of the rare doctors that takes the time to connect the dots.   She is an integrative MD, who practices top down medicine. She feels that the mind and the body are not separate, but instead they act as one. She takes the time to listen, and and she works with her expanded therapeutic toolbox of integrative therapies.   She works with each  patient to help him or her achieve his or her health care goals by optimizing mind, body, and spirit as one. Support the show Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to support the sho

Our goal in this podcast is to give you the tools you need to help you reach your own optimal health potential in mind, body, and spirit. We go beyond treating disease, and prevntion to empower you with the information you need in order to become the very best version of yourself, no matter where your starting point is. We discuss the fundamentals of lifestyle medicne such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, and socialization, as well as other important strategies such as bioidentical hormone therapy, toxins, intimacy, gut health, brain health, meditation, spiritual health, and other cornerstones of optimal wellness.Support the show Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to support the show.-Check out our website at https://mcminnmd.com for other IMPORTANT LINKS, including social media links. You can find these at the bottom of the main page under the heading "Helpful Links."-Click on the following link for our FULLSCRIPT dispensary for a 10% discount on physician-grade supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/

Testosterone is a fundamental part of the "Symphony of Hormones" for both women and men. In this podcast we discuss the scientific evidence and our own clinical experience as it pertains to this important hormone in connection to women's overall health. Contrary to public opinion, it's not all about muscles and libido. We review the risks, and some of the potential benefits of testosterone so that the listener can make an informed decision about her own relationship with this important hormone, and how testosterone therapy might help her as a part of an overall hormone optimization program to improve her health status.Reference:  "The Savvy Woman's Guide to Testosterone" by Eiiabeth Vliet, M.D. Support the show Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to support the show.-Check out our website at https://mcminnmd.com for other IMPORTANT LINKS, including social media links. You can find these at the bottom of the main page under the heading "Helpful Links."-Click on the following

We often think of testosterone in the context of libido and muscles. However, there is so much more to this amazing hormone for men. Just about every cell in the body has testosterone receptors. As such, testosterone levels affect brain health, bone health, skin health, mood, sleeep, memory, attention, concentration, confidence, metabolizm, body composition, energy, life-drive, sex drive, erectile function, as well as overall quality of life and enjoyment of living. Also, many diseases are associated with testosterone, such as diabetes, dementia, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, depression, and muscle wasting. We even see that Low-T is associated with increased mortality!Dr. McMinn describes "Grumpy Ol' Man Syndrome," and describes testosterone as the "get off the couch hormone." Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsy lay out the signs, symptoms, of low T, and also decribe a process for evaluation and treatment of Low T.We have found over the years that a well-monitored program for Te

Vaginal health is an important part of overall health. Unfortunately women are too often left to suffer unnecessarily with common problems like dryness, pain with intercourse, yeast infections, and vaginitis. In this episode we will break down the functional causes of these problems by looking at the overall vaginal ecosystem, and we will offer simple solutions to improve over all vaginal wellness. Support the show Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to support the show.-Check out our website at https://mcminnmd.com for other IMPORTANT LINKS, including social media links. You can find these at the bottom of the main page under the heading "Helpful Links."-Click on the following link for our FULLSCRIPT dispensary for a 10% discount on physician-grade supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/jmcminn/signupFullScript Dispensary is an affiliate from which I receive a commission.Check out Dr. McMinn's Wellness MD Blog at https://mcminnmd.com/wellness-md-blog-1 Go to https://mcminnmd.com/reviews to see