Food As Medicine With Dr. Anh

Welcome!  My guest today is Bridgit Danner, who is an expert in women’s health.  She is the host of the Women’s Wellness Radio podcast.  I met Bridgit recently at a conference in California and am excited to have her on the show! Bridgit is the owner of Blue Sky Wellness Studio in Portland, OR, which is a clinic offering naturopathy, massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture to its patients.  Bridgit has been in practice for 11 years, utilizing the principles of Chinese medicine.  She had her own health struggles as she experienced postpartum depression, so she boosted her nutrition, turned to functional medicine, and became passionate to help others. Bridgit shares the following about women’s health and fertility: At age 35, peri-menopause begins.  Ovarian function declines and hormone levels decrease. Men’s sperm counts and hormone levels decline with age also. For increased fertility, decrease your stress levels. Men and women should do several things jointly to increase fertility: Exercise improves circula

Welcome!  My guests today are Sarah and Aaron Sanchez, who are a husband and wife team who do The Lyme Voice podcast.  They are passionate about working together to share information to those coping with the disease.   Sarah had battled Lyme disease symptoms for 17 years but was undiagnosed.  She was told it was fibromyalgia and then chronic fatigue syndrome before a correct diagnosis.  She suffered immensely, researched Lyme, and found there was not much information available.  Sarah and Aaron decided to begin The Lyme Voice podcast to prevent others from suffering unnecessarily like Sarah did for all those years. Sarah and Aaron share the following about their story: In June 2013, when Sarah was diagnosed with Lyme, she suffered a myriad of symptoms that greatly affected her quality of life. She found the Gerson treatment, which is based on organic juices and coffee enemas.  She attended the Envita Medical Center in CA for treatment. Sarah describes her juicing process and the basics and benefits of coffee

Welcome to today’s show!  My guests are Emma and Carla Papas, also known as “The Merrymaker Sisters.”  They are health and happiness advocates and passionate health coaches from Australia.  Their website will inspire you with paleo recipes and tips for healthy lifestyles.  Join us for more! Their journey really began in 2012 when Emma discovered her gluten intolerance.  Carla joined her in her endeavor to improve her health by changing to a paleo diet.  They embraced the new diet together.  Carla posted photos of the new foods and recipes they created, which led to their blog and then their website.  They wanted to learn how food can become our medicine and then share those findings with others. The sisters share the following about their journey: Their diets today include lots of vegetables, chicken, and fish, with very little red meat. They don’t always eat three set meals every day. They advocate listening to your body as to what it needs. They shop farmers’ markets for fresh, seasonal produce. They eat N

Welcome!  My guest today is Dr. Ritamarie, who is a specialist in endocrine imbalances.  She focuses on thyroid, adrenal, and insulin issues, and is here to discuss adrenal fatigue.  She has a long and rich history of working with patients in the area of nutritional endocrinology. As a young person, Dr. Ritamarie suffered from adrenal fatigue and leaky gut issues but she never connected the symptoms with her unhealthy lifestyle.  She suspected the connection and did research on her own, then started cleansing and rebuilding her system on her own.  She has had NO sugar or caffeine for 30 years!  Her passion became teaching others what she had learned about health and nutrition. Dr. Ritamarie discusses the following topics: There is a connection to adrenal imbalance, thyroid issues, blood sugar imbalance, and digestion. She founded the Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology to train health practitioners. There are some common patterns, but also some unique differences in the symptoms of adrenal imbalance.  She

Welcome!  The show today is from our live podcast last week.  My guest is Dr. Joel Kahn, who has practiced as a cardiologist in Detroit, MI, for 25 years.  He was born and raised in suburban Detroit and attended medical school at the University of Michigan.  He is the author of several books and is opening a gourmet, plant-based restaurant in Ferndale, MI, called Green Space Café.  The unique menu will feature Thai food, bean burgers, Indian entrees, Latino tapas, and much, much more! Dr. Kahn coined the term “interpreventional” to describe his method of cardiology.  He is interventional, focusing on prevention of heart disease---hence, the term.  He understands the seriousness of heart disease and has devoted his life to helping prevent heart attacks through diet and education. Dr. Kahn shares the following information in this episode: How an article in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr. Dean Ornish many years ago set him on the path to treating artery problems with a nutrition focus How to encour

Welcome!  The show today is a replay of our live podcast from last Wednesday.  My guest is Rachael Pontillo, who is a holistic health and image coach and the best-selling author of Love Your Skin, Love Yourself.  She helps women heal from skin conditions by making holistic lifestyle changes.  She has an online program, ”Create Your Skin Care,” that starts on Monday.  See the links below for more info! In this episode, Rachael shares the following about holistic health and skin care: She personally went from someone who was overweight and suffering from skin issues to a healthy person with clear skin who just HAD to share her success with others. Rachael shares the three specific changes she made in her diet and skin care regimen. She details the importance of the gut-brain-skin connection in good health. She shares the “trifecta” of skin problem triggers. Rachael emphasizes the positive mindset needed to heal and nourish your body. How do you begin to make needed changes?  Rachael tells you how to start with

Welcome!  Today’s guest is Evan Brand, who is a certified nutritional therapy practitioner and personal trainer.  He is the author of REM Rehab and Stress Solutions and the creator of the “Not Just Paleo” podcast.  Evan specializes in whole foods nutrition, blood sugar regulation, digestive health, cognitive enhancement, and stress management.  It’s an interesting conversation full of great information, so join us! Evan’s interest in health intensified when he was in college and working 3rd shift.  He noticed a huge slump in his energy level, an increase in depression, and a lowered immune response.  He searched the internet for answers even though his diet was good, and he worked out as a bodybuilder.  He began experimenting with herbs, supplements, and consciousness to find the key.  His goal now is to help people achieve true health and happiness, which is directly contrary to the goal of traditional medicine.   Evan discusses the following health topics: His “Not Strictly Paleo” template for clients advi

Welcome!  Our episode today comes from our recent live webinar with Dr. Chantell Reagan, a wife and mom who has been a pharmacist for over 20 years.  Her career includes working in managed care and consulting, and now is focused on functional medicine and nutraceuticals.  Join us! Chantell began the journey to functional medicine as a result of her oldest son’s diagnosis of ADHD in preschool.  He was prescribed meds to manage behavior, anger, and hyperactivity. He also tried behavioral therapy, which had some success, but didn’t address the root cause. Chantell researched the link between ADHD and gluten and found surprising results.  When the family went on a GF diet, she noticed significant improvements in his attitude and behavior.  To change the family to GF, she started with easy swaps, then progressed to eliminating red dye, processed foods, dairy, and common allergens. Chantell shares the following about ADHD and alternative treatments: There are shocking statistics about the increase in ADHD diagnos

Welcome!  My guest today is Dr. Izabella Wentz, who is a pharmacist dedicated to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disorders.  She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009 and has written Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause.  Izabella is a champion of incorporating lifestyle change and functional medicine into the treatment of autoimmune disease. Even as a pharmacist, Izabella admits that she never learned much about thyroid disorders in school.  Her journey through diagnosis and treatment includes the following: 8-9 years of debilitating fatigue Epstein-Barr virus mono as an undergrad Irritable bowel syndrome Acid reflux Hair loss Carpal tunnel syndrome No answers!  Then tried a new doctor Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis  (HT) How did I get this?  Are there lifestyle changes that can help or even reverse it? Found a connection between celiac disease and Hashimoto’s and talked to her doctor about a gluten-free diet The docto

Welcome!  My guest today is Maria Claps, who is a health coach specializing in women’s hormonal health.  She is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Program.  She has studied with some of the top nutritionists from around the world.  Maria is a wife and mother of four grown children.  Maria is passionate about helping women go through the stages of life with health, energy and enthusiasm.  Her desire is to help celebrate each stage of womanhood.  Join me for an interesting discussion with Maria! Maria shares her knowledge and advice about the following: Maria’s struggles with PMS and her success in treating symptoms naturally prompted her interest and desire to help other women.  “This is really my calling—working with women with hormonal problems.” Maria’s protocol for controlling PMS symptoms includes a clean diet (complete with fat, fiber, and protein), stress management, and herbs. Maria begins working with clients by performing a “breakfast upgrad

Welcome to another exciting show!  Before I introduce today’s guest, I want to tell you about one more opportunity to watch a replay of my webinar from last Wednesday.  You can visit the website and watch it before Tuesday, August 4, at 9 am Eastern.  Because of the terrific feedback from last week’s webinar, I will do another one this Wednesday, August 5, at 8 pm Eastern.  We will talk about foods to heal your body, help you lose weight, and improve energy and mental focus.  We will discuss tips for saving money while eating healthy and how to save time in cooking.  We’ll cover how to modify the program based on your symptoms, and I’ll tell you the Seven Foods to Avoid.  I’ll also be taking some listener questions.  If you want to sign up, just text “perfect” to 33444 and follow the directions or register at www.dranh.com/webinar.  I hope to see you there! Now, let’s meet our guest, Steven Crutchfield.  Steven is from Villa Cappelli in Italy.  Villa Cappelli is a company (and a villa estate!) that focuses on

Welcome to today’s show!  My guest is Gerald Roliz, who is a certified nutritional consultant.  Gerald’s former career as a pharmaceutical sales representative gives him a unique perspective into many aspects of the healthcare industry.  Gerald is the author of The Pharmaceutical Myth, in which he reveals how drug companies influence the prescribing habits of physicians.  Gerald now teaches clients and holistic health practitioners how to use food as medicine for perfect health. My conversation with Gerald covers the following topics: His unusual career path, which began with working as a sales rep, then leaving the industry to move to Asia.  He obtained his MBA degree, learned about Chinese medicine, then returned to the US and became a nutritional consultant.  Listen for all the details! He opened The Healing Body clinic in 2010 and began treating patients with side effects from the very same medications he used to sell! Find out the website and app that Gerald recommends to everyone for the information on

Welcome!  My guest today is Dr. Greg Lee, one of the co-founders of Two Frogs Healing Center in Frederick, MD.  This episode was prompted by a listener request for more information about Lyme disease.  Greg has become an expert at successfully treating patients with Lyme disease after beginning his career in the totally unrelated field of aerospace engineering.  Join me for Greg’s amazing story! Greg details the following about his life’s journey and work: Three simple words catapulted Greg into his current path: “FOLLOW YOUR BLISS.” Greg focused on patients’ chronic illnesses, treated his first Lyme patient 17 years ago, and has treated hundreds since then. Greg and a colleague developed a treatment protocol for Lyme disease that is based on customization for each patient. Greg learned the benefits of detoxification treatments from a colleague in Portland, OR, who specializes in traditional Chinese medicine. Some of Greg’s Lyme treatments include electrodermal scans, genetic analyses, cupping, herbal treatm

Welcome to another exciting episode!  My guest is Mari Ruddy, who is a friend who lives in Minneapolis, MN.  Mari is a two-time breast cancer survivor who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for most of her life.  She is an endurance athlete who has spoken to hundreds of audiences.  She is a superstar at life, looks fear in the face and motivates people with chronic illnesses to get off the couch to movement and joy!  You will not regret taking the time to listen to Mari’s story! Mari is heavily involved in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure, both as an athlete and a volunteer.  She was instrumental in beginning the “Red Riders” program for diabetes riders, who now number in the tens of thousands at the bike races held all around the US. Mari shares the following in our conversation: Mari gives her keys to success in managing diabetes while focusing on being a good athlete. Mari discusses her nutrition rules. Mari took control and changed her diet after her second cancer diagnosis. Mari gives tips o

Welcome!  I’m excited to introduce today’s guest, Dr. John Whitcomb, who is my personal doctor.  He is a brilliant and talented physician and functional medicine practitioner in Brookfield, WI, and he has a long and distinguished career.  He grew up in India as the son of missionaries, then attended Johns Hopkins University and Yale Medical School.  He is board-certified in internal medicine, emergency medicine, disaster medicine, and holistic and integrative medicine.  He is board-certified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging and has completed the only masters’ program in Metabolic and Functional Medicine at the University of South Florida.  Dr. John is currently completing a masters’ program in Integrative Cancer Care.  Join us for this exciting conversation! While practicing emergency medicine, Dr. John realized that doctors were waiting too late to treat illnesses instead of going back to the source to find out what is causing the disease.  He has traced several of the most common chronic illnesses in t

Welcome!  My guest today is DJ White, who is the founder and CEO of P&P Journeys in Minnesota.  DJ is a Pilates instructor, personal trainer, wellness coach, corrective exercise specialist, power lifter, and champion body builder.  At age 40, DJ won the Regional Ms. Muscle Mania competition and has been featured by ESPN in a special about natural bodybuilding.  Her goal is to strengthen clients from the inside out—mentally, physically, and spiritually.  Her training involves lifestyle nutrition, establishing healthy habits, and physical training.  DJ believes that as you become a stronger person, your results extend into all aspects of life.  Join me to hear DJ’s fascinating story! DJ originally began bodybuilding as a way to beat the stress in her life.  She was a "computer geek” with poor nutrition habits.  She hired a personal trainer to “get healthy,” and the trainer invited her to begin training for a bodybuilding show.  DJ went on to become a champion bodybuilder in her 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s! Listen

Welcome!  My guest today is Beverly Meyer, who has been an alternative health patient since the 1970’s.  She has tried many different modalities to treat anxiety, adrenal disorders, digestive issues, and numerous autoimmune disorders.  Beverly has dedicated her life to studying and finding answers and now helps many clients find their way to a better diet and better health.  She has fascinating information to share! Much of what Beverly teaches her clients stems from the research and findings of Dr. Weston Price, a dentist who practiced in the early 20th century.  He made predictions about how food trends would affect future generations, even down to bone structure!  Beverly discusses the following: All over the world, when people resorted to eating foods that weren’t native and natural, it has resulted in profound changes.   Humans weren’t meant to eat grains, which are the seeds of grasses meant for grazing animals. From her experience, EVERYONE has some sort of gluten allergy, but some are much more sever

http://www.DrAnh.com/survey Welcome to an exciting episode!  My guest is Stephanie O’Dea, who is known as “The Crockpot Lady.”  She has written numerous NY Times bestsellers about Crockpot cooking and being a “Mommy blogger.”  Her newest cookbook will be released this fall; it has five-ingredient, gluten-free recipes. In 2006, Stephanie’s 22-month-old daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease after constant bouts of sickness and vomiting.  When she started eating gluten-free (GF), she was no longer sick.  The entire family went GF at that point, and Stephanie began experimenting with GF cooking from scratch.  Crockpot cooking became the norm.  It was also at this point that she started blogging about her Crockpot recipes, which were also GF. Stephanie relates the following tips from her experience: How to handle school parties and times when her daughter is away from home. How to eat out safely, and what foods to take with her. How to use apps and searches to locate GF restaurants. How to shop at the grocer

http://www.DrAnh.com/survey My guest today is Dr. Lori Arnold, who is an integrative pharmacist and health coach.  Lori is fellowship trained, and board certified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  She is also a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine.  For the last five years, she has made it her mission to educate practitioners, patients, and families about nutrition, wellness, and longevity.  Lori believes in the power of the body in healing itself and is the author of the book, Heal Yourself Beautiful, which comes out later this summer. After a lifetime of medical diagnoses and prescription drugs, Lori finally hit her low point in May, 2014.  She had recently turned 40, and was severely depressed, had “brain fog,” was in menopause, had severe digestive issues, and had to take a 9-month medical leave from work.  She simply could not function.  Four months later she discovered black mold in her condo; THIS WAS THE SOURCE OF HER ILLNESS, which 14 doctors could not diagno

http://www.DrAnh.com/survey My guest today is Alene Brennan, who is a yoga instructor, a certified health coach, and a natural food chef.  Alene is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Natural Gourmet Institute’s Chef Training and Food Therapy programs.  She has great insight in the food industry, as she worked for several years on the corporate level with Campbell’s Soup and Aramark.  Her work has been featured in USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and MindBodyGreen.  Alene uses her training and expertise to help people identify the best foods for their bodies, manage stress, and prevent migraines. Alene grew up with debilitating migraines from her childhood; as a result, she visited many doctors and was prescribed many drugs.  Discovering the link between “trigger” foods and migraines changed her life, and now she uses this information to help others who suffer.  In our conversation, Alene discusses the following information about migraines: Trigger foods are not the same for everyo