Episode 257: Leaky Gut, Microbiome, & Digestion | Legacy Series

Episode 257: Leaky Gut, Microbiome, & Digestion | Legacy Series

Terms like “leaky gut” and “microbiome” are buzzwords in health these days–so much so that practitioners sometimes jump to prescribing a leaky gut protocol without understanding what’s going on in the whole body.

This episode gives an overview of gut health from top to tail and explains where things can go wrong. There is a WEALTH of information in this discussion–Erin talks about autoimmunity, hormones, and the impact of the modern environment on our gut health. Stay tuned until the end for actionable tips on how to improve your gut health and microbiome diversity!

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Episode 256: Healthy Travel Hacks

Episode 256: Healthy Travel Hacks

Staying healthy while traveling doesn’t have to be a challenge–it just takes planning ahead and knowing some tips and tricks! Being in a different place and off your normal schedule can throw your system off-balance, but these hacks will help you stay happy and healthy while on the road.

This episode responds to listener questions Erin received after returning from a week-long trip. After listening to this episode, you will come away with healthy snack ideas for the plane, the best supplements to bring while traveling and why, how to eat and drink on vacation without derailing your immune system, post-travel best practices, and more.

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Episode 255: Gallbladder, Bile, Gut Health & Hormones | Legacy Series

Episode 255: Gallbladder, Bile, Gut Health & Hormones | Legacy Series

When it comes to overall gut and hormonal health, the gallbladder is an unsung hero. It plays a crucial role not just in digestion and your ability to access nutrients in food, but also with detoxification and your hormone systems. Unfortunately early gallbladder issues are often missed in conventional treatment, and while there are instances when removal surgery is necessary, removing the gallbladder typically doesn’t resolve the gallbladder issue.

Today Erin packs an information-heavy episode all about the importance and roles of the gallbladder, bile production, and alerts you to some of the warning signs you may be having issues with your biliary tract. The purpose of sharing this is so you can not just take in this information and comprehend it, but to really take preventative measures BEFORE you get to the point of surgery.

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Episode 253: The Mind-Gut-Immunity Connection | Legacy Series
GUT HEALTH, MINDSET Erin Holt GUT HEALTH, MINDSET Erin Holt

Episode 253: The Mind-Gut-Immunity Connection | Legacy Series

Secretory IgA is the dominant antibody in our gut mucosal layer and acts as a “first line of defense” against pathogens. When Secretory IgA is low, it’s like the bouncer at the bar is gone. The lower the SIgA is, the more prone you are to acquiring infections AND the less likely you are to clear up existing infections in your gut.

Today Erin covers Secretory IgA and why it’s so important when it comes to overall immune and gut health. She discusses where this antibody is found and reasons why it may be low or high on a lab test. Erin also highlights an important contributing factor that even functional medicine can miss: your mindset.

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Episode 252: The Holy Grail of Gut Health

Episode 252: The Holy Grail of Gut Health

The bacterium Akkermansia Muciniphila comprises 1-3% of gut microbiota in healthy adults, and is considered a keystone microbe–some have even referred to it as the potential “holy grail” of improving metabolic diseases. Low levels of Akkermansia are often seen paired together with low levels of secretory IgA, and the reasons behind that demonstrate just how layered and complex our gut health really is.

In today’s conversation, Erin unpacks the reasons why low levels of Akkermansia and SIgA are often seen together, from deficient mucus layers to overall low beneficial bacteria production; the impact of low Akkermansia and SIgA on immune reactions and food sensitivities; how bacteria cross-feed each other and why that’s important for microbiome ecology; and ways to increase Akkermansia to support overall metabolic health.

Today, we’re also announcing the beta program launch of Manifest Your Health™! Learn more on our website at www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/manifest-your-health.

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Episode 251: Food Sensitivities | Legacy Series

Episode 251: Food Sensitivities | Legacy Series

Food sensitivities are a growing problem—and the reasons behind it are complex. Unpacking food sensitivities is NOT a straightforward task, but today Erin helps make sense of all the moving parts. In this episode, Erin discusses food sensitivity testing, the differences between food allergies and food sensitivities, symptoms and signs you might have a food sensitivity, the science behind our body’s reactions to foods, how our hormones relate, downsides to restrictive healing diets, and considerations to take if you suspect you may have a food sensitivity.

The truth is, getting to the root of food sensitivities is a lot more complicated than an at-home test commercial will ever tell you. After listening to this episode you’ll understand why, and come away with more knowledge, potential solutions, and hope for getting to the root of your own sensitivities. Please share with anyone who could also benefit from this valuable information!

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Episode 248: Why You Need to Stop Self-Treating Your Gut
FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist

Episode 248: Why You Need to Stop Self-Treating Your Gut

Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. Herbs have the capacity to negatively alter our gut microbiome if they aren’t used properly, so it’s important to know the root cause before diving into herbal remedies for gut problems. And it’s especially important to seek professional help rather than self-diagnosing and treating with potentially harmful remedies.

In this episode, Erin takes a deep dive into problems with antibiotics and herbal remedies (spoiler alert: they have similar problems), why the 5R protocol needs a revamp, when it’s time to explore functional lab testing, and how to safely support your gut health at home. This conversation is also great for practitioners seeking to learn more about how to treat the gut safely and effectively!

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Episode 231: Manifest Your Health™: SIBO, IBS, GERD & Constipation
GUT HEALTH, MANIFEST YOUR HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist GUT HEALTH, MANIFEST YOUR HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist

Episode 231: Manifest Your Health™: SIBO, IBS, GERD & Constipation

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!

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Episode 225: How Concerned Should You Be about Antinutrients? with Deanna Minich
FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH, METABOLIC HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH, METABOLIC HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist

Episode 225: How Concerned Should You Be about Antinutrients? with Deanna Minich

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.

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Episode 224: Funk’tional Alchemy: Clearing, Coding & Rewiring for Health
MANIFEST YOUR HEALTH, MINDSET, FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist MANIFEST YOUR HEALTH, MINDSET, FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION, GUT HEALTH The Funk'tional Nutritionist

Episode 224: Funk’tional Alchemy: Clearing, Coding & Rewiring for Health

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.

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Episode 219: Endometriosis & the Overlap of Hormone, Gut & Immune Health with Dr. Lara Briden

Episode 219: Endometriosis & the Overlap of Hormone, Gut & Immune Health with Dr. Lara Briden

There’s a bit of a misunderstanding in the health world that endometriosis is just a hormone problem, but this line of thinking is incomplete. Hormones can absolutely contribute to the endometriosis picture, but they are not the cause of endometriosis. And part of treating endometriosis should include strategies to support the hormones, though that’s not where the support should end.

Today on the show Erin speaks with Dr. Lara Briden all about endometriosis and why it’s such a complex thing to treat. Tune in to hear Lara dive into the immune side of endometriosis, epigenetics, gut dysbiosis, and how all these things can be interconnected. Erin and Lara also discuss testing options and strategies to treat endometriosis, plus and natural remedies you can try at home and lifestyle factors to consider. This episode is important to hear if you’ve been struggling with endometriosis or suspect you might have it, have been diagnosed with IBS but think there may be more going on, or if you’re a practitioner looking to deepen your understanding on the complexities of endometriosis.

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Episode 217: Going Beyond Gluten for Celiac Disease

Episode 217: Going Beyond Gluten for Celiac Disease

When navigating healing from food sensitivities and food allergies, the first action step is to remove the trigger. In the case of Celiac disease, that trigger is gluten and gluten-containing grains. However, while removing gluten from the diet is a crucial first step, it doesn’t necessarily heal intestinal permeability, reduce gut inflammation, restore a damaged gut lining, and stop the autoimmune response. Today on the show Lori Fish Bard, MS, CNS, LDN sits down with Erin to explain why this is the case.

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Episode 214: Food Sensitivities: Symptoms, Testing & All the Complexities

Episode 214: Food Sensitivities: Symptoms, Testing & All the Complexities

Food sensitivities are a growing problem—and the reasons behind it are complex. Unpacking food sensitivities is NOT a straightforward task, and for the first time in nearly 5 years of podcasting, Erin addresses this tricky topic and helps to make sense of all the moving parts and considerations. In today’s episode you’ll hear Erin discussing food sensitivity testing (the good, the bad, & the confusing), the differences between food allergies and food sensitivities, obvious (and not so obvious) symptoms and signs you might have a food sensitivity, the nitty gritty science behind our body’s reactions to foods, how our hormones relate, downsides to restrictive healing diets, and considerations to take if you suspect you may be dealing with a food sensitivity.

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Episode 207: Gallbladder, Bile, Gut Health & Hormones: What You Didn’t Know
GUT HEALTH, HORMONES, METABOLIC HEALTH Erin Holt GUT HEALTH, HORMONES, METABOLIC HEALTH Erin Holt

Episode 207: Gallbladder, Bile, Gut Health & Hormones: What You Didn’t Know

When it comes to overall gut and hormonal health, the gallbladder is an unsung hero. It plays a crucial role not just in digestion and your ability to access nutrients in food, but also with detoxification and your hormone systems. 

Unfortunately early gallbladder issues are often missed in conventional treatment, leading to the formation of gallstones and eventual gallbladder removal surgery. While there are certainly instances when gallbladder removal is necessary, removing the gallbladder typically doesn’t resolve the gallbladder issue. This is because it doesn’t address WHY the gallbladder issues arose in the first place. It’s not a root cause approach.

Today Erin packs an information-heavy episode all about the importance and roles of the gallbladder, bile production, and alerts you to some of the warning signs you may be having issues with your biliary tract. The purpose of sharing this is so you can not just take in this information and comprehend it, but to really take preventative measures BEFORE you get to the point of surgery.

If you deal with bloating, acid reflux, constipation, hormonal issues, thyroid issues, leaky gut, and particularly if you’re female (and over 40)… you’ll want to listen up!

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