If you or anyone you know has gotten COVID, did you ever wonder why the recovery period took longer than it should have? Instead of weeks to recover, it turned into months? Well, there is an answer for that: Long COVID. Today, Erin sits down with Rachel Mistry, RD, MSN, our lead practitioner to talk about Long COVID’s foundations, the factors as to why its recovery phase earns its label, what kinds of symptoms are present, the kinds of people who are most prone to getting this virus, and etc. Erin and Rachel also talk about the kinds of support or treatment that people affected with long COVID can start doing, the types of supplements that will help strengthen your immunity and metabolism, and how we can slowly begin to build a healthier lifestyle in order to decrease the chances of risks happening to our bodies. Do you know anyone who's experiencing Long COVID? Share this episode & help them understand the symptoms and what they can do to improve their health! In this episode: Defining Long COVID & how it works [3:21] What is Mast Cell Activation (MCAS)? [8:51] What other symptoms do we see from long-haulers? [10:31] What other factors can we see from Long COVID? [19:49] Identifying what puts people at risk for getting Long COVID [24:52] Areas that we can provide support or treatment for long-haulers [28:23] How can diet & change in lifestyle can support these long-haulers [30:53] Vital supplements we need to take to lessen the risks of Long COVID [40:37] FOR A FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/239-long-covid

Today Erin is talking about Ozempic and Wegovy, popular medications used for Type 2 Diabetes and weight loss. Today is *not* a show to convince you to do anything or not do anything. Instead, Erin recorded this for people interested in these drugs to better help you understand the potential risks, and for practitioners to better help their clients/patients understand these medications. Erin also provides ways to naturally increase the GLP-1 hormone in the event that you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars injecting yourself every week with a pharmaceutical. We hope this helps you better understand these super popular drugs, and if so - please share it with friends & family who are talking about it. In this episode: How are Ozempic and Wegovy different? [2:50] What is the mechanism of action of Ozempic and Wegovy? [3:29] GLP-1: what does it do? [9:14] How do Ozempic and Wegovy help you lose weight? [13:57] The downsides (and why playing the long game matters) [16:01] How to naturally increase GLP-1 & Satiety [27:33] Specific macronutrients to enhance GLP-1 [29:36] Specific foods to include to increase GLP-1 [35:41] Join Carb Compatibility Project: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/ccp FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/238-ozempic-wegovy-weight-loss

Today’s episode was inspired by a recent poll on Erin’s Instagram, where she asked “What’s something that bothers you about wellness?” There was a strong recurring theme in your answers - Folks are overwhelmed with broad sweeping generalizations, and exhausted with feeling like better health requires an all-or-nothing approach. It’s easy to feel like we’re falling short when we’re being inundated with ALL the health information, ALL the time. So to help you all with this, Erin asked different people about real, basic strategies that work for them. This episode is a little different and includes the perspectives of practitioners and non-practitioners. It’s a peek behind the curtain of what real people are doing in their day-to-day lives. Tune in as members of Erin’s team answer two big questions about what they do for their health: “What’s something that you do every day that’s a non-negotiable, built in habit?” and “What’s something you learned or implemented in 2022 that you would want to share with someone else?” In this episode: How Erin stopped overthinking nutrition [4:24] New fitness choices that shifted things around for Erin in 2022 [8:16] An effective mantra that Erin uses (that you can use too!) [10:50] Meet Rachel [14:12] The impact of setting personal and professional boundaries [15:08] Why communicating boundaries is as important as setting them [18:25] Is your relationship with coffee healthy? [19:30] Meet Jenna [25:02] A before and after of building a daily meditation practice [26:42] Tips for starting a practice of your own [31:08] The benefits of considering meal composition [32:38] Meet Laura [37:41] The power of intention [39:28] How do you build habits? [43:28] A simple practice for staying present [46:25] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/237-tips-healthy-living

For the last podcast of the year, we’re bringing you an unscripted conversation between two friends and colleagues. Erin and Michelle are two nutritionists who exist in the gray area - the messy middle - of nutrition and wellness. They both live and practice in the space that requires nuance, context, critical thinking, compassion…and conversation. Today’s episode is a convo between two wellness professionals who work with people to help them feel better, who don’t swear allegiance to any ONE dietary paradigm or methodology, and whose primary focus is to advocate for the needs of their clients. Because it’s their clients who suffer when they try to adhere to the dichotomous “THIS OR THAT” food, nutrition, diet & health rules that run rampant in the wellness space. Michelle Shapiro is an Integrative Functional Registered Dietitian from NYC with 8+ years of experience serving over 1000 clients to reverse their anxiety, heal longstanding gut issues and approach weight loss lovingly and in a body neutral way. Michelle, in her work, aims to bridge the gap for clients between functional nutrition and body positivity. And that’s exactly what we’re chatting about in today’s show. In this episode: What’s the difference between the “diet industry” and “diet culture”? [6:31] Erin’s 6 minute rant to summarize what she has seen in nutrition over the past decade plus [8:34] Michelle’s weight loss story [13:22] Physiological drivers of anxiety & panic attacks [16:28] The role of self-betrayal in our health [18:12] Autonomy of thought - the most powerful healing tool you have? [21:48] The entry point to listening to yourself [23:10] Intersection between functional nutrition and body neutrality: can they coexist? [29:15] What’s a consent-based approach to nutrition? [31:09] Hear why Michelle and Erin get fired up about “conventional medicine disguised as functional medicine” [32:36] Integration between the physical and the psychological - and why this at the heart of functional medicine [35:42] Okay I left diet culture…now what?! [38:47] How pushing through discomfort can mute your body’s signals (and what The Biggest Loser can teach us) [42:07] When ancient practices become trends - and the problems that can arise [46:50] The 3Cs that MUST be brought into nutrition [54:50] Take-away summary of our discussion [55:43] The one question to ask yourself with all material you read and every interaction with a practitioner [1:00:48] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/236-functional-nutrition-body-neutrality

You enjoyed our last Manifest Your Health™ coaching episode so much (thanks for the feedback!) that we brought it back! Today’s episode covers a listener struggling with insulin resistance, prediabetic blood sugar, PCOS and hormone issues - despite doing ALL THE THINGS. Erin unpacks this from a multidimensional approach - not *just* addressing the physical concerns, but also asking insightful questions into the listener’s mental, emotional, and energy states as well. We know a LOT of folks can relate to this conversation and you’ll walk away with a lot of a-ha moments! A sweet note from us to you: While we don’t give health advice in DMs, emails or comments, we ALWAYS love to hear your breakthroughs and a-ha moments from the podcast. We also get so much joy out of seeing you tag @the.funktional.nutritionist when you’re listening to Erin, so if you’re into spreading cheer, please keep sharing loud for all to hear! In this episode: -Managing your energy, sleep, headaches, brain fog and mood [3:47] -Do you need a CGM to regulate blood sugar? [6:27] -Why your major health anxiety (aka healthxiety) can prevent healing [11:29] -Are you pushing past your body’s capacity in the pursuit of better health? [25:42] -Blood sugar is more than just diet, carbs and exercise - here’s what you may be missing [32:55] -Lab test markers for blood sugar, glucose control and oxidative stress [38:19] -Supplements for blood sugar regulation [43:14] -The emotions and energetics behind exhaustion [44:51] -Productivity in awareness and presence [48:51] -The emotions and energetics of insulin resistance [53:48] -Journal prompts for excess and deficient energy [58:37] Carb Compatibility Project - Sign up today! https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/ccp FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/235-manifest-health-blood-sugar-insulin-resistance-anxiety

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 Erin In 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/newyear FOR 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

Get a taste of how Erin blends functional medicine, energy anatomy & intuitive medicine in her unique functional alchemy approach. This Manifest Your Health™ coaching episode addresses a listener’s struggles with SIBO, IBS, GERD & constipation. Podcast listener Hillary is a classic example of someone stuck in the symptom ⇒ diagnosis ⇒ prescription of conventional medicine (without feeling better). Erin discusses strategies to feel better, as well as functional lab testing to gather more information. She also offers insight into the emotions and energetics behind Hillary’s symptoms to help her figure out what is at the TRUE root of her ongoing health issues. This is a great episode for anyone struggling with ongoing SIBO, IBS, constipation - or any practitioner who works with clients with GI disorders! In this episode: -Where to start BEFORE thinking about functional lab testing [5:13] -Unpacking the health history timeline - and why it’s so imperative [7:40] -What is a tortuous or redundant colon? [13:16] -Can we blame all symptoms on the diagnosis? [15:11] -Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth [15:55] -Symptoms associated with methane gas [16:24] -The GERD-SIBO connection [19:01] -Treatment strategies for gastritis [23:58] -Prokinetics [30:04] -Why up to 2/3 of SIBO patients will relapse [35:30] -Root causes of SIBO [35:49] -Functional medicine lab testing for SIBO, IBS and constipation [39:23] -The emotions and energetics behind constipation [45:45] -The emotions and energetics behind gastritis [50:33] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/231-manifest-health-sibo-ibs-gerd-constipation

There's no doubt that autoimmune illness is on the rise. Maybe you've been diagnosed with an autoimmune illness or you have a history of autoimmune illness in your family, and you want to learn more. It's important to understand the possible triggers of autoimmunity and flare-ups and the tests available to understand which triggers have the greatest effect on you. You really want to be able to identify your unique root causes.In the previous episodes of this series, Erin has discussed what autoimmunity is, some of the causes, the stages, and conventional testing. In today's episode, she will share how autoimmunity can be 'turned on', various functional medicine tests that can be used in identification and treatment, and things that can be tried before going in for functional medicine tests. Erin will not be sharing specific treatment strategies. Please consult a member of your healthcare team who understands the specifics of your case.Whether you have an autoimmune disease, a history of autoimmunity in your family, or you're a practitioner, this episode is densely packed with information that will help you take a functional, root-cause approach to autoimmunity. In this episode: -The role food plays in the autoimmunity process [2:00] -Can you do anything before you try functional lab testing? [5:20] -The dynamic process contributing to autoimmunity [10:48] -What is molecular mimicry & how does it play a role in autoimmunity? [14:23] -How bystander activation can lead to autoimmunity [20:35] -Functional medicine lab tests [22:19] -What's the connection between a leaky gut and autoimmune disease? [27:50] -The importance of a healthy microbiome [32:48] -Food sensitivities and our inflammatory load [35:37] -Chemical and environmental triggers [41:19] -The Psychoneuroimmune response [51:27] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/230-autoimmunity-triggers-root-cause-functional-labs

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 @thelovingdiet Connect with her on her website: thelovingdiet.com Learn more about her Transformational Eating™️ course here: thelovingdiet.com/landing-page FOR 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

One of Erin's Instagram posts recently received a lot of attention and A LOT of comments. The post was a video showing how to make a no-soak, no-strain (read: CONVENIENT) nut milk. Many of the comments expressed the concern for antinutrients in nuts. Today Erin sits down with nutrition vet Deanna Minich to tag team the antinutrient discussion and answer the question: how concerned should you be with antinutrients? Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, teacher, and author. She has over twenty years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries. This discussion will provide you with more context and perspective on antinutrients and dietary diversity, equipping you to make the best - and safest - choices for your health. In this episode: - Why we're talking about antinutrients [2:30] - All about Deanna [6:00] - Nutrition is not black and white [8:00] - Deanna's background and education [9:30] - Digging into the literature to see what the data says about antinutrients [12:30] - What are antinutrients? [16:00] - Environmental contaminants are a bigger concern than antinutrients [18:00] - What do we have control over when it comes to environmental contaminants? [20:30] - Lectins explained [35:30] - Oxalates explained [40:00] - The importance of diversity in all things [45:00] - What does clear communication have to do with health? [49:00] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/225-antinutrients-deanna-minich

Have you ever wondered what Erin means when she talks about “going deeper” with her clients? This episode explores exactly that. Functional medicine promises a “root cause approach” but in order to do this, we must go deeper than blind testing and cookie cutter protocols. Critical thinking, individuation & a deep reverence and understanding of the mind-body connection is key. Approaching health from a subconscious, brain & emotion-based level creates the most profound, long lasting and sustainable change in the body. In her practice, Erin demystifies the seemingly “magical mystery realm” of the mind-body connection to bridge it with practical strategies that work. If you feel like you’ve tried everything and you’re still stuck… If you’re looking for a new approach to health… This episode is for you. In this episode: -Why there is hope for healing autoimmunity, despite the grim stats [6:11] -Erin’s education background - why she loves functional medicine AND why it’s not a panacea [10:48] -When the “root cause” is deeper than the physical body [12:37] -Can your mind, thought process & beliefs prevent your body from healing? [13:47] -Funk’tional Alchemy: creating a process that actually works [19:46] -A body-up AND mind-down approach to health [23:08] -Somatic work & the gut-brain connection [24:11] -Medical intuition and collecting energy data: why it matters [25:04] -Clearing and recoding for optimal health [40:18] -How belief patterns permeate all aspects of our lives [44:00] -An exclusive and limited time offer from Erin [51:38] -Advice for practitioners who want to get more into the mind-body connection [54:04] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/224-alchemy-clearing-coding-rewiring-health

In this re-release, Erin answers your questions about the effect of fragrance on your hormones - plus what to be aware of with the products we use on our bodies and in our home. Most people have no idea how harmful synthetic fragrances can be - or how often we are using them! The chemicals used to create or prolong these “fresh” scents impact our neurological health, metabolism, and immune system. We’re bringing this topic back to the forefront because Erin will be doing a deep dive on autoimmunity here on the show soon, and exposure to certain chemicals is part of why autoimmune diseases are on the rise. Tune in to hear why cutting out fragrance is a simple, easy step to healthy living. In this episode: -Small steps we can take to get closer to non toxic living [9:04] -Starting with the basics [11:08] -Fragrance and endocrine disruptors [12:22] -“Overly sensitive” or canaries in the coalmine? [14:37] -A non exhaustive list of product types that contain artificial or synthetic fragrances [16:29] -The real problem with fragranced products [20:44] -How these fragrances can affect our health [22:56] -Why and how synthetic fragrances linger [28:03] -VOCs: what they are and common sources [29:22] -Best way to protect yourself from outdoor pollution [31:14] -Let’s talk about phthalates [31:56] -Xenoestrogens and estrogen dominance [33:46] -How these chemicals impact our metabolism [34:43] -Mitochondrial dysfunction symptoms [36:55] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/223-fragrances-hormones-healthy-living

There is this old, pervasive omnipresent idea that women can’t handle information about our own bodies. We’ve been fed a storyline that our bodies are too complex – AND that we’re ill equipped to handle information about the complexity. This is bullshit, and it’s one of the reasons so many of us are so twisted up about our bodies. Today on the show Erin is discussing why knowledge is power…but *just* having the information doesn't necessarily create the changes we desire. Creating space to integrate that information is KEY, and Erin is unpacking exactly how to do that in today’s episode – including how to cultivate intuition and inner guidance to assist your own health and healing. In this episode: -Cultivating balancing between the Divine Masculine & Feminine [2:20] -The one question to ask yourself every morning [7:30] -An outdated (and bullsh*t) reaction from a pediatrician [12:26] -How the idea that women can’t handle information about our own bodies causes harm [14:28] -The link between your hormones & your gut - and why you CAN handle it [15:45] -Why integration is the missing link to your healing journey [17:51] -Why “I already know this” blocks you from transformation [19:59] -Subconscious reprogramming work and somatic release to clear and recode [21:43] -Energy audits: one of the most important thing you can do for your health [23:28] -The link between ACEs (adverse childhood experiences), empaths & health struggles [26:24] -Practicing conscious consumption (and why it matters) [29:45] -What is “energy data” and how do we access it? [35:10] -3 steps to cultivating self trust [43:00] -Your experience IS evidence: why this is a radical concept in healthcare [46:08] -An update (and a little secret share) from Erin [51:24] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/222-creating-sacred-space-healing-transformation

In the past Erin referred to the lymphatic system as an unsung hero of the body. It’s responsible for maintaining fluid balance, for circulating hormones and immune cells throughout the body, as well as transporting toxins out of the body—but it wasn’t something many people talked much about. Increasingly over the past few years, however, lymph is getting its time in the spotlight: more and more folks in health spaces are discussing lymph and lymph work. Perhaps you’ve seen some tutorial videos on lymph drainage massage or how to use gua sha stones and dry brushes. While it’s great the lymphatic system is getting the credit it deserves, it’s important to know how to approach your lymph and lymph work in a mindful way. That’s why Erin sat down with Leah Levitan, licensed massage therapist, massage instructor, and Vodder Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner, to dive into the nitty gritty of the lymphatic system, what it does, how interconnected it is to the rest of our body, and things you can do to improve lymph health—in a way that’s safe for your body. The thing about lymph work is that it’s very gentle, yet very powerful. After listening you’ll understand why Leah’s work with lymph comes from such a grounded and comprehensive place. If you feel bloated, puffy, wake up with puffy circles under your eyes, or if you’ve been curious about lymph drainage and lymph work, this will be a helpful episode to hear! In this episode: -All about Leah [2:33] -Why Leah loves lymph [4:34] -Lymph goes viral [7:48] -Taking it from the top with lymph [11:21] -Stagnant lymph [14:29] -Things you can do to improve lymph [16:03] -Movement, lymph & the connection to our gut [17:39] -Breathing & how to know if you have a tight diaphragm [21:57] -Can you be too aggressive with lymph drainage? [26:18] -Signs you may be dealing with a lymphatic drainage issue [30:19] -Changing your breast tissue through lymph work [37:07] -Bras: to wear or not to wear for lymph flow [40:18] -How to support our lymphatic system at home [42:54] -Vibration for lymph flow [46:51] -Where (& how) to start practicing lymphatic work [49:13] -Tattoos and the lymph system [54:55] -Injectables: yay or nay? [59:09] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/221-lymph-love-leah-levitan

Functional lab testing has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. More and more folks are seeking answers to their health issues, and providers are responding by offering various options for hormone and other functional lab testing. But not all providers provide in the same way, and we’re increasingly seeing an algorithmic, “if this, then that” approach to labs in the functional medicine space. This doesn’t give folks the answers they need, it doesn’t get to the root of their issues, and it doesn’t help them feel better. Hormone testing is a great tool to help uncover and confirm imbalances in the body, but it doesn’t answer ALL the questions you might have. Namely, WHY and HOW the imbalance came to be in the first place. This is where a la carte lab testing falls short because it doesn’t consider your full, unique picture. On today’s episode Erin explains the approach she and the Funk’tional Nutritionist Team takes to health, healing, and hormone testing in our private practice and in Your Hormone Revival, our 3-month balancing program to revive adrenal, thyroid, and hormone health through root cause restoration. You’ll hear not just what kind of hormone testing we do, but also WHY we do it the way that we do, all while sprinkling in answers to a lot of your questions about hormone testing along the way. By the end you’ll understand the value of a provider who can not only look at lab markers, but also interpret what those lab markers mean in conjunction with one another, AND in conjunction with YOUR unique context. Whether you’re looking to test your thyroid hormones, you’re wondering about your estrogen or progesterone levels, or perhaps you suspect something is up with your adrenals or cortisol, you’ll want to tune in to this episode! This also provides valuable information to practitioners who want to understand the true meaning of taking a functional, root cause approach to labs and supporting their clients. In this episode: -Big news [1:09] -Questions about hormone testing & how to get it [3:27] -Two schools of thought when it comes to health [4:38] -A third school and why it exists [6:04] -The thing that separates clinicians who take a true, root cause approach… and those who don’t [8:08] -How we practice at The Funk’tional Nutritionist [14:15] -What a hormone lab test won’t be able to tell you [17:46] -The importance of knowing what to do with lab information [20:05] -Red flags when looking for a functional provider [27:10] -Signs you’re a good candidate for hormone testing [31:10] -What to do if your labs are normal (but you feel suboptimal) [34:13] -The different ways to test hormones [35:27] -How hormone testing can help someone with endometriosis [40:57] -New organic acid markers for the DUTCH test (& a word of caution for utilization) [43:41] -When is retesting recommended? [46:00] -What to do if your provider won’t run tests [48:53] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/220-hormone-testing