The WellBe Podcast (getwellbe): Recent Episodes
Adrienne Nolan-Smith
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Adrienne Nolan-Smith, BCPA is a holistic patient advocate, speaker, health researcher, and wellness expert.
The WellBe Podcast shares investigative guides and research roundups as well as informative and inspiring interviews from the world’s greatest experts on functional medicine and wellness – people who have dedicated their lives to studying and working with patients to heal naturally or who themselves have healed devastating chronic illnesses with a holistic approach – to inspire YOU to become the most empowered you can be in your health, and therefore your life, and your future.
For the written and video versions of all episodes as well as much more to help empower you in your health, head to https://getwellbe.com - but first be sure to subscribe to the podcast.
This is a between-seasons bonus episode in which I share two major insights I've had in the past few months while on maternity leave. Topics include how much sleep we really need, sleep tracking, the relationship between sleep deprivation and mental health and immune system strength, as well as the impact of our homo sapien roots and being part of a community on motivation and habit change and formation. Any new updates will be in my newsletter and on Instagram during maternity leave so make sure you're on the list! xx Adrienne https://getwellbe.com/subscribe/
I'm currently 9 weeks postpartum and I recorded a between-seasons bonus episode detailing my labor, delivery, and postpartum experience. The good, the bad and the ugly. I'm active on my newsletter and Instagram during maternity leave so keep up with me there! xx Adrienne https://getwellbe.com/subscribe/
In the wellness sphere, it’s common to hear people talk about ways to lower your cortisol levels. That’s all well and good, but we have a few follow-up questions: first of all, do those cortisol-lowering strategies actually work, and are they backed by research? And second, how are you supposed to know if your cortisol levels need lowering? In our latest investigative guide, we answer those questions and many more. Listen to learn more about cortisol (aka the “stress hormone”) in your body, telltale signs that your cortisol is high, common causes of high cortisol, and how to lower your cortisol naturally. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/symptoms-of-high-cortisol-levels/
One of the most exciting (and controversial) areas of study in the realm of mental health involves psychedelics. There’s a lot of promising research about how psychedelic compounds like LSD and psilocybin could potentially transform our minds for the better, but it’s a confusing topic with lots of open questions. Dr. Fred Barrett, cognitive neuroscientist and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, sat down with Adrienne to answer some of those questions and discuss the latest in psychedelic research. Listen to learn how psychedelics work, the benefits of LSD, psilocybin, and other psychedelic compounds for treating mental health issues like PTSD and depression, the potential limitations of psychedelics, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/psychedelic-treatment-dr-fred-barrett
I recently celebrated my birthday, and to mark the occasion I revisited an exercise I first did in 2018 that’s focused on defining my purpose in life. Having a clear purpose not only feels good, but it’s also been shown to have health benefits: it can make you live longer and make you more resistant to chronic disease! Listen to this episode to learn more about why it’s so important to have a life purpose, a simple exercise to help you define your purpose, and how I define my own purpose this year. Join the conversation at the written version of this piece, here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/10-ways-define-life-purpose/
It’s summer, which means it’s sunscreen season. We’ve all universally been told and mostly accepted the fact that it’s important to wear sunscreen every day to protect our skin from damage and skin cancer — but more and more, we’re learning about the dangers of sunscreen itself. So what’s the deal? What should you and you loved ones do to ensue you’re protecting your skin but not damaging your health? Listen to learn everything you need to know about sunscreen and your health, including what sunscreen ingredients to avoid, the best non-toxic sunscreens, natural sunscreen alternatives, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/safer-sunscreen-guide/
It's that time again! We're here with our second health & wellness news wrap-up of 2023, and it's full of important and impactful news stories, research breakthroughs, and other tidbits that have an impact on your short- and long-term health. Listen to learn about why you definitely want to invest in a water filter no matter where you live, which supplement has been shown to reduce cancer risk by 12% when taken daily, what people who live over 100 all have in common, the best age to give kids their first smartphone in terms of mental health repercussions, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-research-wellness-news-april-may-june-2023
There are few things worse than not being able to sleep at night. When you’re tossing and turning in bed for hours, it can be tempting to reach for anything that will just let you fall asleep — but what impact do those sleep aids have on your health? There are a wide range of different sleep aids, from prescription to OTC to natural supplements, and in this episode we’re looking at the health effects of all of them. Listen to learn the short- and long-term side effects of the most common pharmaceutical sleep aids, whether or not natural sleep aids like melatonin are okay for your health, what you can do besides taking a sleep aid to help you get better rest, and more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/natural-sleep-aids/
Do you breathe through your mouth at night, or know someone who does? If so, it's a bigger problem for your health than you might think. In this fascinating interview, Adrienne talks with dental hygienist and Faceology founder Sarah Hornsby about the emerging field of orofacial myofunctional therapy, and how it helps people correct problems in their breathing (and all the downstream health problems that stem from that). Listen to learn what causes mouth breathing, what health issues are linked to mouth breathing (from autoimmune issues to ADHD and more), how tongue ties relate to it all, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/mouth-breathing-at-night-sarah-hornsby/
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and so this week Adrienne is sharing her own story of recovery from chronic Lyme. After years of symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, she was finally diagnosed, but the recommended course of antibiotics didn't help. Spearheaded by her mother, she set off on a years-long journey of experimenting with alternative and integrative medicine approaches until, finally, she was able to eliminate her symptoms and her body fully beat the disease. Listen to hear her (sometimes wild!) story, or join the conversation at the written version, here: https://getwellbe.com/adrienne-lyme-disease/
Donna Jackson Nakazawa is an acclaimed science writer who loved to tackle complex problems with big implications for people's everyday life and health. In this interview, she explains one of the biggest and most exciting of these topics: the field of psycho neuroimmunology, of the interplay between our brain, our stress response, and our immune system. Listen to the interview to learn how difficult childhood events shape our stress response for life, why the brain has its own immune system and what this has to do with our body's immune system, why emotional or social threats can have a serious impact on physical health, how early childhood experiences can contribute to autoimmune disease later in life, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/psycho-neuroimmunology-donna-jackson-nakazawa
Kelli Tennant was in the best shape of her life, playing volleyball as a D-1 athlete when suddenly her body completely broke down — numbness, nerve pain, extreme fatigue. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and told she would never play sports again. Over the course of the next 13 years, she went on an incredible healing journey that led her to uncover several root cause conditions and find lasting health. Listen to learn why she decided to abandon conventional treatment for a more integrative approach, what lifestyle changes she made to reverse her symptoms, the role emotional trauma played in her healing, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/kelli-tennant-fibromyalgia/
It's that time again! We're here with our first health & wellness news wrap-up of 2023, and it's full of important and impactful news stories, research breakthroughs, and other tidbits that have an impact on your short- and long-term health. Listen to learn about why Lunchables ended up in school cafeterias, which type of birth control is associated with breast cancer, exactly how psychedelics change a person's brain, why maternal death rates are at their highest in 60 years, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-research-wrap-up-january-february-march-2023/
If you're among the billions of people who drink coffee every day, you likely have a certain routine around it: how much you drink, what kind of beans you use, how you brew it, what you put in it, whether you drink decaf or regular, etc. But did you know that each one of those choices has an impact on both your long- and short-term health? We know, it's a lot to consider, especially before you've had your morning cup, so we broke it ALLLLL down in this in-depth guide. Listen to learn the health impact of caffeine, the 4 worst things to put in your coffee (and what to choose instead), which method of brewing to avoid at all costs, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the guide here: https://getwellbe.com/healthy-coffee-creamer-alternatives/
Abby Tai had eczema since was a baby, but it didn't become unmanageable until her teenage years. At that point, it got so bad that she was completely debilitated by her skin condition, and even contemplated suicide. After years of treating the symptoms, she decided to get to the root cause — and once she was able to heal, she dedicated to her life to help others do the same, founding Eczema Conquerors and hosting The Eczema Podcast. Listen to our interview with Tai to hear her story and learn about this common skin condition, including the difference between eczema and psoriasis, the relationship between gut health and eczema, side effects of topical steroids for eczema, and much more! Join the conversation at getwellbe.com
Antibiotics have been around for a loooong time, and while they can be potentially life-saving in certain circumstances, most of the time they do more harm than good. That applies to your own personal health, the health of the planet, and even the health of the human race. It's complicated, we know, which is why we put together an in-depth investigative guide on all things antibiotics. Listen to the episode to learn what exactly antibiotics are, how antibiotics mess with your health, why overprescription of antibiotics is such a serious issue, why you need to worry about antibiotics in meat even if you're a vegetarian, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/what-are-antibiotics/
It's rare we have a repeat interview on the podcast, but this week's guest is such a treasure trove of knowledge that we needed to have him back! In this week's episode, Adrienne talks with Dr. Bill Rawls about a topic you might not have thought about much, but which has a HUGE impact on your health, how quickly you age, your chronic disease risk, and more: cellular wellness. Listen to learn what cellular wellness is, why it's at the root of so many health issues, what harms cellular wellness, how you can improve the health of your cells, how to use herbs to improve cellular health, and much more! Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/cellular-health-bill-rawls
It's the last podcast of the year!! In lieu of our normal Q4 news wrap-up, we decided to look back at the WHOLE year of health and wellness news and bring you the 10 biggest news stories. Each of these topics have major implications for the world of health, as well as your day-to-day life and the health of you and your loved ones. From major scandals in the research world, to toxins in everyday products, to breakthroughs regarding mental health and gut health, a LOT happened this year! Join the conversation at the written version of the wrap-up, here: https://getwellbe.com/2022s-ten-most-important-health-wellness-stories/
As we wrap up the year, we're looking back on 2022 and what content resonated the most with you this year. In this episode, Adrienne reveals the 3 most downloaded WellBe Podcast episodes of the year, and shares her thoughts on what that means for wellness trends right now and going forward. If you missed any of the top 3 episodes (or didn't miss them but want to listen again) here are the links:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-release-trapped-emotions-with-emdr-trauma/id1403955889?i=1000532807208
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wellbe-podcast-hannah-bronfman/id1403955889?i=1000570494231
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-valencia-porter-on-how-toxins-affect-your-body-what-to-do/id1403955889?i=1000574792541
We all know that alcohol isn't the best for your health. But is it okay to have a glass of wine with dinner or go out for the occasional happy hour? The answer is, it depends. In this guide, we look at the different ways that alcohol affects your body, and why that might differ from person to person. We also look at the best (and worst) types of alcohol for your health, as well as why it's so important to choose organic wine. Listen to learn all that and more, and join the conversation at the written version of the guide: https://getwellbe.com/healthier-alcohol/
In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, we're sharing the first installment of a new series: WellBe Quick Hits! These episodes will be more personal, as well as more timely and shorter (under 10 minutes). In this inaugural episode, Adrienne explores the idea of why we might resist doing things that we know are good for us — like practicing gratitude. With the most gratitude-centric holiday just a few days away, this is probably great timing for many of us. Listen while you do some food prep or finish up grocery shopping!
Did you know that we've been treating acne incorrectly for DECADES, even though researchers had identified the real root cause? Neither did we, until we spoke with Maria Marlowe. Marlowe, a holistic nutritionist, author, and podcast host, spoke with Adrienne about all things acne, including common misconceptions and how you can adjust your life to have clear skin. Listen to learn what acne really is (hint: it's not a bacterial infection), why acne during puberty and around your period isn't inevitable, exactly how your gut health and diet impact what's going on on your face, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/gut-health-and-acne-maria-marlowe/
This week, Adrienne is joined by naturopathic physician Dr. Kasey Holland to discuss an infection that you almost definitely have: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Whether you know it or not, you're likely carrying EBV, since 95% of people get infected, and once it's in your body it never leaves. For many people, the EBV stays dormant and causes no issues. But for others, the virus becomes reactivated and can lead to major health problems, including autoimmune disorders like MS. Listen to the interview to understand why EBV has such a lasting impact, how to treat EBV, what you can do to lower your chances of the EBV becoming reactivated, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/ebv-reactivation-symptoms-kasey-holland/
Water is essential to your health, but not all water is created equal. Whether you're drinking bottled water or water from the tap, there are a ton of factors to consider that influence how good that water is for you. With tap water, there are a ton of different contaminants (many of which are linked to serious health issues, like cancer) in different cities' water supplies, and with bottled water, you need to consider not only how the water is filtered, but also the water source and even the type of bottle it's in! In this water 101 podcast, Adrienne breaks down the essential info from our two big water guides: the guide to water filters, and the guide to bottled water. Listen to learn everything you need to know about staying hydrated without harming your health! Join the conversation at the written version of these articles here: https://getwellbe.com/best-bottled-water-brands/ and https://getwellbe.com/best-water-filter-health/
Effective contraception is essential for sexually active people who don't want to get pregnant and want to protect themselves against STDs. But one thing that doesn't get talked about much is how that contraception can affect your health in other ways — and for some forms of contraception, those effects can be serious. In this in-depth guide, we look at ALL the common types of contraception and break down everything you need to know about them, including their efficacy, short-term health impact, long-term health impact, and other considerations. Listen to learn which type of contraception we recommend above all, and which ones we wouldn't recommend putting in your body. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/best-birth-control-with-the-least-side-effects/
We all vaguely know that tuna contains some amount of mercury, but most of us don't know all that much about what that means for our health. Just how bad is mercury for your body? How much mercury is in a can of tuna? What about other fish? How does it get into the fish in the first place? And if you get mercury poisoning, what can you do about it? In our latest guide, we unpack all of that. Listen to learn answers to all of the above and find out once and for all whether or not fish can be a healthy addition to your diet. Join the conversation at the written version of the podcast here: https://getwellbe.com/sources-of-mercury/
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It's a lot to digest (pun intended) and read thoroughly. We saved you the trouble — we looked through dozens of studies and pulled out the most important pieces of information. Here are the things you really need to know for your health in October 2022, WellBe-style. Topics include: Serotonin Theory of Depression Debunked / Key Alzheimer's Research was Fabricated / New Pesticide Bans & Glyphosate in 80% of Urine / New AAP Breastfeeding Recommendations / Lawsuit Alleges Skittles Are "Unfit for Human Consumption." And much more! Read the full wrap-up here: https://getwellbe.com/health-research-wrap-up-july-august-september-2022
We all know that there are environmental toxins and pollution outside — but what many people don't think about is the harmful substances that might be lurking in your own home. One of the most dangerous of those is mold. This week, we're speaking with Dr. Jess Peatross, an expert in environmental toxicity and especially mold. Listen to hear her story of becoming disillusioned with conventional medicine, as well how to test for mold toxicity without breaking the bank, what symptoms are associated with mold toxicity, why it's so difficult to test for mold, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/testing-for-mold-toxicity-jess-peatross/
We now know that fats were unfairly villainized in the 90s. But still, that doesn't mean that all fats are created equal: some are genuinely good for you, while others...not so much. But understanding which ones are healthy and which ones are harmful can be very confusing, especially since some things that sound healthy (we're looking at you, vegetable oil) are not. In this new guide, we break down the differences between healthy and unhealthy fats, including which oils to avoid, how to use different fats for different cooking purposes, why you should care about what kind of omega fatty acids are in your fats, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this article: https://getwellbe.com/unhealthy-fats-vs-healthy-fats
This week we're so happy to welcome back gastroenterologist and gut health expert Dr. Will Bulsiewicz. On his first podcast appearance, he talked about why fiber is so essential to a healthy microbiome. This time, he's discussing a topic that's often misunderstood: food intolerances. Listen to learn the difference between food allergies and food intolerances, the main causes of food intolerances, whether or not you can get rid of food intolerances (and how), and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/food-allergy-vs-food-intolerance-dr-will-bulsiewicz
The idea of an elimination diet can be overwhelming — so overwhelming that many people never attempt it. But the truth is, there's still no better way to truly identify a food sensitivity. In the newest WellBe investigative guide, we dive deep on all things related to elimination diets, including how to get started if you truly have no clue where to begin. Listen to learn why elimination diets are still the gold standard for identifying a food sensitivity, essential guidelines for any elimination diet, the different kinds of elimination diets, which foods to eliminate if you don't know where to start, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this guide here: https://getwellbe.com/food-elimination-diet-to-find-food-sensitivity/
This is a special episode. Adrienne is speaking with Andrea Syms-Brown, a breastfeeding expert and the lactation consultant who "saved" Adrienne on her breastfeeding journey and completely turned around her experience as a new mom. Listen to hear Andrea's wisdom and breastfeeding tips, including the number one cause of breastfeeding issues she sees, why your body reacts very differently to a pump than to a baby, concrete strategies for boosting milk supply, and more. Join the conversation at the written version of this interview, here: https://getwellbe.com/natural-breastfeeding-andrea-syms-brown/
The idea of a "sugar detox" is pretty trendy right now, but are there actually any health benefits there? And what even is a sugar detox in the first place? We break it all down in our latest in-depth investigative guide. In the guide, we look at the science-backed health benefits of cutting out sugar, what sugar withdrawal looks like, best practices for doing a sugar detox, and the nitty gritty of what you can and can't eat if you're on a sugar detox. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/sugar-detox-plan-benefits-of-cutting-out-sugar/
You might have heard that the idea of "detoxing" is bogus, because your body naturally gets rid of toxins through your liver and kidneys. But according to Dr. Valencia Porter — a double board-certified doctor, functional medicine practitioner, and expert in environmental health — while this may have been true of our ancestors, it no longer applies now that we're living in what she calls a "chemical soup." Listen to our fascinating interview with Dr. Porter to learn the three different type of toxins, how toxins impact your body and health, the best ways to help your body detox, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/exposure-to-chemicals-valencia-porter/
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It's a lot to digest (pun intended) and read thoroughly. We saved you the trouble — we looked through dozens of studies and pulled out the most important pieces of information. Here are the things you really need to know for your health in July 2022, WellBe-style. Topics include: Health Concerns with Two Common Vaccines / Abbot Allegedly Knew About Problems at Formula Plant Long Before They Were Public / A Promising, Low-Risk Cancer Treatment / Two Studies on Depression Underscore the Gut-Brain Connection / Moderate Light Exposure During Sleep Damages Heart Health / Cold Water Hydrotherapy Reduced Illness in Young Kids / Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes / Reducing Smartphone Use Is Better for Health than Total Abstinence. And much more! Read the full wrap-up here: https://getwellbe.com/health-research-wellness-news-april-may-june-2022/
Author, content creator, and HBFit founder Hannah Bronfman joins Adrienne to kick off season 7 of the WellBe Podcast! In this episode, Hannah tells the eye-opening story of how a bike accident led to dental trauma that triggered a cascade of health issues years later. She shares her journey to get a proper diagnosis, why she had to fly halfway across the country for treatment, and what she learned about the link between dental health and reproductive health. Listen to hear her tell the tale, and join the conversation at the written version of this interview, here:
https://getwellbe.com/hannah-bronfmans-story-of-life-changing-dental-trauma-and-healing-through-natural-dentistry/
In this season 7 trailer, Adrienne looks at the two most important questions in the world: How, and Why. Listen to hear her go deep on the driving mission behind WellBe, her own personal health journey, and what to expect in the season ahead. Be sure to subscribe so you're the first to know when the first episode of season 7 is released on July 19.
We're back with the first new podcast of 2022 and Adrienne's first podcast back from maternity leave, and it's a big one! We normally do a health & wellness news wrap-up every quarter, but have taken a break while Adrienne was away, so there is a TON to cover here. Listen to learn about: which common virus is associated with both long-haul Covid and MS; what food you should eat to add 13 years to your life; the type of medicine that increases your risk of colon cancer; which common supplement can reduce migraines naturally; the common toxin linked to early death — and much more! Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/the-wellbe-health-research-wellness-news-wrap-up-april-2022/
Adrienne stops by to say hi, check in, and share a special preview of what's coming in the upcoming podcast season. Find out what to expect from us this spring, including exciting new guests, personal stories from Adrienne, and investigative guides that go layers beneath the surface to uncover the true root causes of chronic health issues. Make sure you're subscribed to The WellBe Podcast so that you get notified when season 7 starts in a few weeks! And while you're there, please rate and review the podcast if you haven't already. It helps a lot!
The WellBe Podcast is currently between seasons, but Adrienne decided to record a quick update and hello to check in. She's currently in the thick of new motherhood, and shares how that's going so far, what else is going on in her life, and what to expect from us in the coming months. Listen now, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show if you haven't already!
xx
Adrienne + Team WellBe
Dealing with difficult emotions is, well....difficult. But sometimes those emotions or traumas are just too difficult to deal with at all, and so they get repressed, or trapped, in our bodies. These unprocessed emotions get buried so deep that you might even not even know they're in there — but they can still have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health. In this episode, we look at what trapped emotions are, how they affect your body and mind, and science-backed techniques to release them. Plus, we do a deep dive into EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a fascinating and proven approach for releasing and processing trauma. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/repressed-feelings-emdr-trauma-therapy-emotional-healing/
It's probably not news to you that your gut health affects basically every aspect of your well-being. But what about gut health for kids? What's different in the microbiomes of children and babies, and what can parents (and parents-to-be) do to ensure that their kids are set up to have healthy guts? In this episode, pediatric gut expert Dr. Michael Ruscio breaks it all down. Listen to learn what pregnant women can do to help their kids have healthier guts, the drawbacks and benefits of probiotics for kids, what to do if your child needs to take antibiotics, the main types of probiotics and how to choose one, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/gut-health-for-kids-michael-ruscio
We've all heard of midwives, but how many of us could actually explain a what a midwife does? While midwives have been around for centuries, there are a ton of misconceptions about their training and what they are qualified to do — especially in the U.S. and Canada. In our latest in-depth investigative guide, we look at all the nuances of midwifery care and what expectant mothers and their partners should know in order to make the most informed decision for their family. Listen to learn the different types of midwives and how each is trained, how midwives differ from both doulas and OB-GYNs, what midwives can and cannot do in terms of medical procedures, the benefits of using a midwife, eye-opening statistics around midwife use and birth outcomes, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/midwifery-care-types-of-midwives/
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have experienced loneliness this past year. This loneliness doesn't feel great, but did you also know that it can have a serious impact on both your physical and mental health? What's more, millions of people around the world have been living with chronic loneliness even before the pandemic. In this interview with author, speaker, and human behavior expert Tony Selimi, we look closely at what chronic loneliness is, how it affects health, and what to do about it. Listen to learn some eye-opening statistics about chronic loneliness around the world, the different forms that loneliness can take (some of them you might not consider loneliness at all!), the biggest contributing factors to loneliness, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/tony-selimi-chronic-loneliness/
Few things are more devastating than losing a pregnancy, and yet miscarriages are far more common than anyone acknowledges. I myself had one in September 2020. I was lucky but for some, this loss is not a one-time event. A small but sizeable percentage of women experiencing recurrent miscarriages. The good news is that, even in these cases, the outlook is optimistic — but it takes some work to address the problem. In this episode, we dive into the various different things that can cause recurrent pregnancy loss, how to determine what the root cause is, what steps to take to break the cycle, what to do if you can't identify a cause, and much, much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/recurrent-pregnancy-loss
Many of a woman's most important life moments involve her reproductive health, from her first period to pregnancy to menopause, and many more. But many women deal with chronic health issues related to their reproductive health — and, even worse, many conventional OB-GYNs see these chronic issues as normal. Dr. Anna Cabeca, an integrative OB-GYN and expert in women's health, has a different vision for how things should look, and she's made it her life's work to turn that vision into a reality. Listen to Adrienne's interview with Dr. Cabeca to learn her own personal journey of having a baby at 41 after being told she was experiencing early menopause, the most common root causes of infertility and how to treat them, which lifestyle changes can best address infertility issues or support conventional fertility treatments, what women can do to improve their odds of a low-intervention pregnancy and labor, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/dr-anna-cabeca-natural-fertility-holistic-obgyn/
Nothing says summer like grilling food outside with friends. It's a classic warm-weather activity that's been bringing people together for ages...but unfortunately, it's not all innocent fun. First, the bad news: research shows that grilling food (especially meat) can actually be quite harmful to your health in more ways than one. The good news is that there are specific things you can do to reduce your risk while still enjoying grilling. In this episode, Adrienne goes through all the latest findings on how grilling impacts your health, including the different risks of different types and cuts of meat as well as different grilling techniques, and then shares six actionable, science-backed strategies for protecting your health at the next summer BBQ. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/the-wellbe-guide-to-healthy-grilling/
Cancer rates are skyrocketing across the world and in the U.S., and integrative cancer Dr. Christian Gonzalez says it's pretty clear why this is happening. He also knows what needs to change about the conventional medical system (and conventional oncology in particular) to better treat cancer so that it doesn't common back. In this interview, Dr. Gonzalez shares the personal tragedy that led him to become a naturopathic doctor, how he works with conventional oncologists to create better patient outcomes, the lifestyle choices that have the biggest impact on cancer treatment and prevention, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/naturopathic-oncology-dr-christian-gonzalez/
It's that time again! We're back with another quarterly wrap-up of all the most essential health & wellness news and research that came out in the past three months. As always, there were a TON of new studies, policy changes, rulings, reviews, and more to comb through, but we distilled it all down to bring you the most essential topics for your health. Listen to learn the latest information on Covid (including long-haul symptoms, natural immunity, vaccine risks, and more), a huge controversy around a new Alzheimer's drug, some surprising findings on why HIIT might not actually be that great for you (plus several more eye-opening exercise-related studies), the health impacts of the all the extra alcohol people drank in 2020, plus much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-research-wellness-news-april-may-june-2021/
We're all familiar with using herbs while cooking, most of us don't know very much about their healing properties. But turns out, herbs can actually be incredibly powerful when it comes to dealing with both chronic and acute health issues! Herbal medicine is a complex and nuanced topic, so we brought in an expert to explain it to us. In this episode, Adrienne talks with registered herbalist and bestselling author Rosalee de la Foret about how herbal medicine works, what types of conditions it's best for, how to get started using herbs yourself, where to source herbs, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the conversation here: https://getwellbe.com/rosalee-de-la-foret-herbal-therapy/
It's very common to pray for good health — 80% of Americans have prayed for their health — but does doing so actually have any effect? The effect of prayer on physical health is quite difficult to study, as are many things related to the religious and spiritual, but there is some fascinating research out there on the topic. In this episode, we break down all of that research to get to the bottom of how prayer impacts your health, if at all. Listen to learn some eye-opening stats and discoveries about prayer and physical healing, the specific hurdles to understanding the impact of prayer on health, theories behind how and why prayer might improve health, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/prayer-for-physical-healing/
It's our first ever repeat guest! Dr. Aviva Romm is such a rich source of expertise that we had to have her back to talk about all things related to HORMONES! In this episode, she and Adrienne discuss everything you ever wanted to know about women's hormones, from concerning signs and symptoms to actionable ways to bring your hormones back into balance. Listen to learn the line between "normal" and abnormal hormonal symptoms, what factors can lead to hormone imbalances, the little-known field of science that may have the biggest impact on your hormonal health, natural ways to rebalance your hormones, and more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/aviva-romm-exposome-hormonal-irregularities
MTHFR is a topic that's gotten some attention in the wellness world in the past few years — but it's pretty poorly understood. There's a lot of misinformation and misinterpretations about what it means to have an MTHFR mutation. In this episode, we clear it all up, looking at what exactly MTHFR is (hint: it's not actually a gene), the different kinds of MTHFR mutations and which ones pose the most risk to your health, whether you should get an MTHFR gene mutation test, the best supplements to take if you do have an MTHFR gene mutation, the health risks associated with the mutation, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/mthfr-deficiency-mthfr-supplements/
It's Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and the unofficial kickoff to summer (aka shorts season) is this weekend. That means it's the perfect time for a little refresher on Lyme disease! In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Bill Rawls, one of the foremost experts on this misunderstood disease. Dr. Rawls got bit by a Lyme-carrying tick when he was a child, but didn't experience symptoms of Lyme or get a diagnosis until he was near 50! Through his personal experience, research, and practice, he's come to understand that this is because of the relationship between chronic conditions and our immune systems — and because of this, he's found that chronic Lyme is best healed with natural treatments like herbs. Listen to this episode to learn the difference between acute and chronic Lyme disease, what all chronic conditions have in common, why some people react more severely to Lyme than others, which herbs he recommends (and how to take them), and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this interview: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/bill-rawls-herbal-treatment-for-lyme-disease/
Candida overgrowth is a health issue that's been getting some buzz recently. But what is it actually, how do you know if you're dealing with it, and what are you supposed to do about it? In this episode, we get into all of that. Listen to our Adrienne read our latest investigative guide to learn what, exactly, it means to have a candida overgrowth (hint: it has to do with a part of your gut microbiome that we don't talk about a lot), what daily habits you might have that could be contributing to your risk of an overgrowth, the most common symptoms and complications of too much candida (hello, skin and nail issues!), how to reverse and prevent candida overgrowth naturally, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/candida-overgrowth-treatment/
It's springtime, which means...allergies! People who suffer from allergies know that all the blooming plants and trees can cause a whole host of symptoms, but most of us don't fully understand how and why allergies occur. In this episode, Adrienne speaks with Dr. Brooke Kalanick, an expert on the very thing at the center of allergy symptoms: histamine. Dr. Brooke explains exactly what histamines are and how they work — including some eye-opening info on the many different things they do besides making you sneeze! She also explains the concept of "histamine intolerance," and why it doesn't mean what a lot of people think it means. Listen to learn all of the above, plus the best low-histamine diet, how histamines affect female hormones, why finding the "root cause" isn't always possible, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/high-histamine-levels-dr-brooke/
Infertility is an incredibly common issue — 1 out of every 8 couples deals with it at some point! But that fact doesn't make it feel less overwhelming and confusing, and many people feel like their only options for having a baby involve synthetic hormones and invasive procedures. While each person's situation is unique, the good news is that there are a number of proven totally natural things you and your partner can do to improve your fertility. In this episode, we dive into the research around natural fertility boosters, plus common causes of infertility and the best diet if you're trying to get pregnant. PLUS, a special personal announcement from Adrienne :) Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/natural-fertility-boosters-fertility-boosting-foods/
Rachel Winard went from never being sick and having great skin to suddenly having a constant fever, getting covered in full-body rashes, and having all sorts of other weird illnesses. It took her 15 doctors to finally get diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. She was eventually put on chemotherapy for lupus and several other drugs. When she wasn’t healing, she finally decided to take control of her own health and find a natural lupus cure. What she found changed the course of her health, career and life. Listen to hear this powerful story and hear what tools she uses today to keep her Lupus in remission. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/lupus-ayurveda-soapwalla-rachel-winard/ Also, an important reminder that there's only TWO MORE DAYS to enroll in A Roadmap to Healing, my joint program with Kelly Noonan Gores and the team behind the documentary "Heal." Sign up before the doors close: https://getwellbe.com/roadmap-to-healing
Urinary tract infections are a huge pain (literally). What's worse, they're most frequently treated with antibiotics, which come with their own set of serious long- and short-term side effects. We've all heard the old "drink cranberry juice" advice, but does that actually work? And are there other natural ways to treat and prevent UTIs, especially for those of us who get them chronically? In this latest episode, we investigate. Listen to learn what causes urinary tract infections and why women are much more likely to get them than men, what simple lifestyle choices could be contributing to your risk of getting a UTI, natural UTI treatments that science shows actually work, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/chronic-uti-causes/
Writer, director, and producer of the documentary, Heal, Kelly Noonan Gores wants you to know one thing: that humans are designed to heal, and that each of us has the power to help our own bodies and minds to achieve optimal wellness.
But, as with anything in the health and wellness world, things quickly become complicated. There’s the clash between Western medicine and more holistic routes, the complex and often ignored mind-body connection, and the fuzzy understanding of the role that genes and “inevitability” play in all of it. But Gores believes the truth at the center of it remains the same, and she hopes her film will empower everyone who sees it to tap into their innate power and take back control of their health.
We found this interview SO fascinating! Listen to learn about the nine common natural things cancer survivors did to heal, how one man healed a terminal illness through laughter, what the placebo effect tells us about the power of the mind over medicine, what our childhood has to do with it all — plus a special collaboration between WellBe and the Heal team. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/heal-director-kelly-noonan-gores
It's been a news-packed few months, and that includes news related to health and wellness. It can be overwhelming to keep up with all of the emerging studies and policy developments that affect your health, so we've done the heavy lifting for you. We combed through dozens of news stories and clinical research to find the most important developments you need to know from the past three months, and we're breaking them all down for you. Listen to learn the top health stories of the year so far, including which 4 conditions are associated with worst Covid outcomes, what summer activity can cause endometriosis, how many minutes per week you need to exercise to lose weight, and much, much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/health-research-wellness-news-january-february-march-2021/
Sakara Life co-founder Whitney Tingle developed severe cystic acne when she hit puberty, and it didn't go away afterward. She spent many years trying everything to get it to go away — including lasers, treatments used for cancer patients, and the risky drug Accutane — but nothing worked. Eventually, a light bulb went off and she knew she needed to take matters into her own hands. The journey she went on to heal her skin showed her something deeper about our health, and ultimately led her to co-found Sakara Life, the wildly popular meal delivery service. Listen to hear Tingle's inspiring journey, plus her tips on the best foods for glowing skin. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/severe-cystic-acne-whitney-tingle
We all know that gut health is absolutely central to every aspect of your well-being, and most of us are familiar with best practices for keeping your gut healthy. But what about leaky gut? It's a term that comes up fairly frequently in the wellness world, but it's still poorly understood among the general public and even in the scientific community. In this episode, we break down everything there is to know about leaky gut, including what's really happening when someone's gut is "leaky," why it's so concerning, what health conditions are associated with it, the most common causes, what you should and shouldn't do to reverse leaky gut, the best gut-healing foods as well as foods to avoid at all costs, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/heal-leaky-gut-best-gut-healing-diet/
In this episode, Adrienne interviews journalist Maya Dusenbery, author of the book Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick. When Dusenbery was unexpectedly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, it opened her eyes to the ways that women are often mistreated in medicine. She wanted to learn more about the gender bias in medicine, and so dove into research. She interviewed doctors, researchers, and patients to learn more about how and why women so often suffer with chronic conditions for years without a diagnosis or treatment. Listen to learn the startling statistics about how chronic disease disproportionately affects women, why the gender bias in research emerged, what medical gaslighting is and why it happens, what women can do to protect themselves against sexism in medicine, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/medical-gaslighting-maya-dusenbery/
We all have our days where we feel out of it, but sometimes that fuzzy-headed feeling becomes chronic. Anyone who has experienced "brain fog" knows that it's super frustrating, especially because the cause can be really hard to pin down. In this episode, we look at what's really happening when you experience brain fog, and how you can clear it up. Listen to learn the actual definition of brain fog, the most common environmental and lifestyle-based causes, which underlying conditions could be triggering brain fog, what daily changes you can make to get rid of brain fog, when you should see a doctor, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/brain-fog-treatment-remedies-for-brain-fog/
Mark Bertolini hadn't thought very highly of integrative medicine for most of his life and during his years working in the insurance industry. But when a massive ski accident left him with chronic health issues, he came to realize the power of alternative therapies. As CEO of Aetna, one of the largest insurance companies in the world, he set out to bring holistic practices to his employees and to the world of healthcare. In this interview, he shares his own incredible recovery story, what therapies he used to heal, the sweeping changes he made at Aetna (and how he got his colleagues to agree to them), what he believes needs to happen to fix our broken healthcare system, and much, much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/mark-bertolini-holistic-insurance/
Before we get into today's show: there's only ONE MORE DAY to register for Spark Health 2.0! It's our signature 6-week program to help you build an environment and lifestyle that helps you reverse or prevent chronic disease and leaves you feeling your absolute best. Don't miss out, register here: https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
Now onto this week's episode! Having to clear your throat frequently is really annoying, but it's not something most of us pay much attention to. But chronic throat-clearing is a sign of an underlying issue, some of which are quite serious, and all of which can be treated without resorting to medications. Listen to this episode to learn what post-nasal drip really is and why it happens, the common cause that often goes overlooked, why post-nasal drip and constant throat-clearing shouldn't be ignored, how to find relief naturally, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this guide here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/guides/constant-post-nasal-drip-and-post-nasal-drip-relief
Most of us think of our genes as our destiny. If something is in our DNA, then it's inevitable. But the burgeoning field of epigenetics shows us that that's not true at all. In fact, very little about your physical and mental health has anything to do with genes: your environment, lifestyle, and daily choices play a much bigger role. In this episode, Adrienne interviews epigenetics expert Dr. Jay Goodbinder on this fascinating area of study. Listen to learn how exactly your life affects your gene expression, what percent of cancers are genetic vs lifestyle-based, what you can do to have more favorable gene expression in your life, what lifestyle choices cause certain bad genes to "turn on," and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/jay-goodbinder-genetic-disposition-epigenetic-factors/ BTW, in case you missed it, registration is now open for Spark Health 2.0! In this 6-week program you'll get step-by-step guidance for creating a safe, non-toxic environment that supports your best health (and optimal gene expression!). Register here: https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
Our hormones play a huge role in our body's ability to function and control countless aspects of our health. And because hormones talk to one another all day long, if one hormone gets out of balance, it can have a domino effect, creating major issues— including weight gain and extra belly fat. What's more, our current environment and lifestyles make it pretty easy for your hormones to get thrown off. Thankfully, there are simple, natural ways to restore hormonal imbalance! In this episode, we look at everything you need to know about hormonal imbalance, including what causes it, why hormones are so involved in weight gain or weight loss, the complex relationship between cortisol/stress and belly fat, 6 natural remedies for balancing hormones, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/natural-remedies-for-hormonal-imbalance-cortisol-and-belly-fat/
Dr. Bobby Price was a pharmacist for years (including with the FDA and the U.S. Department of Defense). Then a personal health struggle combined with the scary truths he saw inside the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries made him do a complete career 180. Today, he works with patients to help them heal naturally — without pharmaceuticals — and how to avoid the risks inherent in the medical industry. Listen to the interview to learn how one simple lifestyle change reversed a "lifelong" health condition in 21 days, what "medical error" actually means and how often it harms or kills patients, the best ways to protect yourself from medical error, why the FDA often fails consumers with its product labeling, how the opioid crisis has impacted doctors' prescribing habits, and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/bobby-price-medical-error-deaths/
Even if you're trying to eat healthy, whole-foods-based foods every day, it's easy to get stuck in a rut where you eat the same things for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But according to this week's guest, gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, even if you're eating the same HEALTHY thing every day, eating the same thing all the time isn't good for you. Why? Because of fiber. Listen to the interview to learn what fiber really is and the different types of fiber (hint: it doesn’t come in a cereal box), why he considers soluble fiber to be “the secret to nutrition” that nobody’s talking about, the important role fiber plays in gut health (it’s not what you think), why a diverse diet matters, and much, much more! Join the conversation on the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/will-bulsiewicz-importance-of-fiber-food-diversity/
When Dr. Vincent Pedre went to med school, gut health wasn't really talked about. But after his own health journey led him to discover the importance of the gut microbiome for overall health, he decided to specialize in the topic. Today, he's one of the foremost experts on gut health, helping people heal their guts to treat a huge range of chronic diseases and symptoms. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Pedre shares his professional and personal journey, as well as his expert insights on gut health. Listen to our interview to learn: how just smelling food impacts digestion, what leaky gut actually looks like, the exact physical relationship between stress and gut health, his 6 top tips for a healthy gut, how to know if you have good gut health, and much more! Join the conversation at the written version of this interview here https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-vincent-pedre-importance-of-gut-health/
The end of the year is FINALLY here — which means it's time for our final health news wrap-up of 2020. We sifted through dozens of health-related studies and news stories so that we could bring you the most important pieces of health and wellness news from the past three months. Listen to the episode to learn how PPIs and weight impact COVID-19 risk, what a pregnant mother's anxiety does to a child's future risk of allergies, why gut health is so closely related to Alzheimer's risk, various shocking revelations about the role of money in health policy, a hilarious court ruling related to Subway bread, and much, much more! Join the conversation at the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/health-research-wellness-news-october-december-2020/
Sleep is central to every part of your health, and yet many of us (maybe even most of us) aren't getting enough quality rest. It doesn't help that there are tons of misconceptions out there about how much sleep you need and how to get better sleep. To cleat it all up, we sat down with Dr. Michael Breus, aka "The Sleep Doctor" to learn everything there is to know about the sleep your body needs and how to get it. Listen to the episode to learn how to calculate your perfect amount of sleep, the two key factors that influence your ability to fall asleep, why melatonin won't help with insomnia, how to create the ideal sleeping conditions, what to eat before bed (and when to eat it), and much, much more. Join the conversation at the written version if this interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/michael-breus-perfect-amount-of-sleep/
Dr. Will Cole has been eating raw food and drinking adaptogenic tonics since he was a little kid growing up in Pittsburgh (when the wellness movement was definitely not a thing yet). Today, he's parlayed that interest in wellness into a career as an acclaimed functional medicine practitioner who helps people around the world resolve a whole host of health issues, from autoimmune conditions to digestive disorders and beyond. In this episode, Dr. Cole shares his journey with Adrienne, and we tap into his expertise about dietary supplements, including: whether you need supplements or not, how to know which supplements you need to take if you are going to take any, which 4 supplements he recommends for everyone, what it means if your pee is bright yellow, and much more! Join the conversation at the written version of Dr. Will Cole's interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/will-cole-benefits-of-dietary-supplements/
When Alisa Vitti started college at Johns Hopkins University, she didn’t just gain the “Freshman 15,” she put on 60 pounds. Her acne went from mild, teenage breakouts to full-blown cystic acne and she developed severe insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The symptoms were triggered by hormonal issues, which also led to her only getting her period 6 times in a decade. After seven years of trying to get a diagnosis, she realized she had to figure something out herself. She found a journal of obstetrics and gynecology in the school library, which led her to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Listen to her remarkable story of how she reversed her PCOS and then dedicated her life and career to helping women heal hormonal issues. Topics include: Why PMS shouldn’t be a joke, why your period while taking the pill really isn’t a period, how hormonal birth control affects future fertility, how being on the pill covers up pre-existing conditions, the alarming rise of precocious puberty, the importance of addressing hormonal issues when you’re young, how meal timing affects the endocrine system, what your period blood can tell you, and much, much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this interview here https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/alisa-vitti-hormones-pcos
Most of us know that you get vitamin D from the sun, but the knowledge generally stops there. This is a problem, since vitamin D is incredibly important for some major bodily processes — and because it's nearly impossible to get enough vitamin D naturally (especially if you live in the northern part of the world). In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about vitamin D, including how your body processes it, what it does, its three main sources, the best foods for vitamin D, how to make sure you're getting enough, and more. Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/taking-vitamin-d/
If you've been anywhere on the internet in the past few years, you've doubtlessly heard about intermittent fasting, also known as IF. There are a lot of bold claims circulating about IF, as well as many different approaches, from the relatively laid-back to the extreme. We sat down with Dr. Amy Shah, a double board-certified physician and expert in intermittent fasting, to learn everything you need to know about intermittent fasting. Listen to the episode to learn the science behind IF, why Dr. Shah recommends a particular type of IF called circadian fasting, how to find the right eating window for the best results, how to get started with fasting, and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/circadian-fasting-dr-amy-shah/
If you suffer from migraines, you know they can be absolutely debilitating. Even worse, there's no one guaranteed way to treat them, and many of the most common medications have side effects of their own (including sometimes worsening migraine symptoms. Um...what?). Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that have been proven to be as or more effective than prescriptions at relieving and preventing migraines. In this episode, we explore dive deep into both conventional and natural migraine remedies. Listen to learn what exactly a migraine is, common triggers (some might surprise you), the risks of conventional migraine medications, the 6 most effective natural migraine remedies, and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/natural-cure-for-migraine/
Clinical nutritionist Jessica Flanigan had a picture perfect life — then it all fell apart. In this interview, she shares the story of how her life crumbled around her, and how she found happiness through a radical decision to love her circumstances. The Loving Diet author discusses how she used self-love to fully accept and overcome her life circumstances, and how the same technique can lead to healing physical ailments as well. She also explains why this approach is better in the long-term than any diet, regardless of how effective the diet is in the short-term. Join the conversation on the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/jessica-flanigan-practicing-self-love/
Most medications have side effects, even those you can pick up without a prescription in the drugstore — but some of those side effects are more serious than others. In this episode, Adrienne shares the 5 worst types of over the counter medications in terms of how they impact your long-term health. You might be shocked at some of the serious health risks of the most common non-prescription drugs (we were!). Join the conversation on the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/dangerous-over-the-counter-medication/
Adrienne sits down with functional medicine practitioner and ancestral health expert to talk all things detox-related. Kresser discusses the philosophy behind ancestral health, and how that explains why we need to detox today despite our bodies' innate detoxification abilities. They also explore the benefits of detoxing, the four pillars of healthy lifestyle that support your natural detoxification processes, and the two best ways to detox. Plus, an in-depth chat about how and why sauna detox works, and the health benefits of infrared saunas. Join the conversation on the written version of the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/chris-kresser-benefits-of-detoxing/
This episode is sponsored by HigherDOSE, offering premier infrared sauna spas in New York City as well as infrared sauna blankets you can use to recreate the experience at home. WellBe fans can get $75 off a sauna blanket with the code WELLBE75. Go to https://bit.ly/3loU9CB to learn more and claim your discount!
It's been a long time since our last health news & wellness research wrap-up, and a LOT has happened in these past four months! In this episode, Adrienne goes through the top 10 health stories since June of this year, which cover dozens of different studies, policy changes, and breakthroughs. Topics covered include how money is impacting coronavirus research (and the healthcare space in general), surprising new research on how caffeine affects pregnancy outcomes, why showering too much (or using the wrong shower products) can mess with your microbiome, a potentially game-changing new insect repellent, how exercise affects your vaccine response, the connection between gum disease and Alzheimer's risk, shocking racial disparities in health outcomes, and MUCH more. Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/the-wellbe-health-research-wellness-news-wrap-up-june-to-september-2020/
Dr. Bill Rawls got bit by a Lyme-carrying tick when he was a child, but didn't experience symptoms of Lyme or get a diagnosis until he was near 50! Through his personal experience, research, and practice, he's come to understand that this is because of the relationship between chronic conditions and our immune systems — and because of this, he's found that chronic Lyme is best healed with natural treatments like herbs. Listen to this episode to learn the difference between acute and chronic Lyme disease, what all chronic conditions have in common, why some people react more severely to Lyme than others, which herbs he recommends (and how to take them), and much more. Join the conversation at the written version of this interview: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/bill-rawls-herbal-treatment-for-lyme-disease/ This episode is sponsored by Sun Warrior, a brand creating organic, non-GMO, plant-based proteins and superfood supplements. Check out their website and use code WellBe20 for a special 20% off discount for our listeners: https://bit.ly/3jKg5b3
To mark a big birthday this past week, WellBe founder Adrienne Nolan-Smith revisited an exercise she did several years ago to find and achieve her life purpose. Not only does having a purpose in life make it easier for you to get out of bed every morning and give each day greater joy and meaning, it also has major health benefits and can actually help you live longer! Listen to the episode to learn about the Blue Zones study that discovered the link between life purpose and longevity (and what inflammation has to do with it), and hear Adrienne share how she defines a purposeful life for herself. Plus, she’ll guide you through an exercise developed by a Harvard Business School professor that will help you determine your life purpose and how you’ll measure your success. Join the conversation at the written version of this article, here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/10-ways-define-life-purpose
In this episode, Adrienne explains what a board-certified patient advocate does, and why she decided to become one. She also delves into the reasons that a patient advocate is so important in the current healthcare landscape (some crazy statistics around medical error), the difference between holistic patient advocacy and general patient advocacy and how this kind of support might be just what you or someone you love needs to kick a nagging chronic health symptom or condition. PLUS, we have a special announcement with a new offering for the WellBe community. Join the conversation on the written version of this episode here: https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/what-is-a-patient-advocate/
When Britt Martin was 25, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and began chemo. Halfway through treatment, she lost her period, and when doctors recommended birth control a way to get it back, she said no. She was determined to get her period back naturally, and was able to achieve that goal through a practice called seed cycling. Listen to our interview with Britt to learn her incredible health journey, what seed cycling is and how it works, how to start seed cycling at home, the link between flaxseed and estrogen, and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/seed-cycling-britt-martin/
We all know by now that sugar isn't great for you, which makes zero-calorie artificial sweeteners seem like the perfect alternative. You get all the sweetness without any of the side effects, right? Not so fast. In this episode, we look at the different types of artificial sweeteners, how they impact your body, and what the long- and short-term health risks are. Listen to learn the 4 most common artificial sweeteners in the U.S., which artificial sweetener has been linked to depression, what artificial sweeteners do to your gut, the link between artificial sweetener and gut health, why so many doctors continue to recommend artificial sweeteners to patients, and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/side-effects-of-artificial-sweeteners/
As many states across the country begin to re-open (and with open-toed shoe season officially underway), we know that one of the first places a lot of us want to go is the nail salon. But our research has shown us that coronavirus aside, the nail salon is not generally a safe place. So on this week's episode, we're sharing a guide on the health risks of nail salons and how to protect your health while keeping your nails looking gorgeous. Listen to learn the health risks of conventional nail salons and the 3 scariest chemicals they use, simple steps you can take to reduce your health risk when you go to a conventional salon, what to look out for when buying non-toxic nail polish, how to put together a “non-toxic nail kit” you can use at home or bring anywhere, some great non-toxic nail salons around the U.S., and much more! Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/healthy-nail-polish/
You may not spend a lot of time thinking about your thyroid health, but you probably should. As we learned in our interview with Dr. Aviva Romm, the thyroid affects basically all of our bodily systems and organs, and it's also extremely sensitive — even more so if you're a woman. In this interview, Dr. Romm shares her incredible career journey (she went to college at 15, was an herbalist and midwife for 2 decades, then became a Yale-trained physician after having 4 kids), and some eye-opening and actionable information on thyroid health. Listen to learn the causes of hypothyroidism, the difference between Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism, what tests to get to assess your thyroid health, the relationship between the thyroid and stress, how thyroid health affects fertility, and much, much, more. Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/reasons-for-hypothyroidism-aviva-romm/ and if you're interested in checking out our brand new Non-Toxic Product List Database, find it here: https://store.getwellbe.com/non-toxic-product-list
There's a lot of important stuff going on in the news right now. Like the rest of us, we're spending most of our days thinking about either the fight for racial equality or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But we also know that it remains essential to keep yourself healthy, both for your long-term well-being and also so that you can participate in important cultural moments, like the one we're currently in. And in order to stay healthy, you need to stay informed. So to that end, on this week's episode we're discussing the most important pieces of health news from April + May 2020. Listen to learn about: why the FDA recalled all Zantac; how your vitamin D levels relate to your COVID risk; what taking a daily bath does to your heart health; which toxic chemical the Trump administration has decided to leave in our water supply unregulated; how many extra steps per day you need to take to increase your lifespan; and much, much more! Join the conversation on the written version of the article here: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/wellness-news-health-research-april-may-2020/ and if you're interested in checking out our brand new Non-Toxic Product List Database, find it here: https://store.getwellbe.com/non-toxic-product-list
Since we're stuck at home, many of us are putting pressure on ourselves to accomplish all of our health and wellness goals now that we finally have the time — and then beating ourselves up when we fail. But this is a vicious cycle that actually makes us LESS likely to achieve our goals. That's why Adrienne hosted a free, research-packed webinar on overcoming shame, self-judgment, and negative self-talk so that you can make real change. In this recorded version of the webinar, you'll learn how many thoughts we have each day and how many of them are negative; the way that shame and negative self-talk impact our brains, our health, and our ability to achieve goals; four research-backed ways to reduce negative self-talk and self-judgment; the key to stopping unhealthy habits permanently and developing healthy ones; and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of this article here:
https://getwellbe.com/guides/overcoming-shame-webinar/
Jessica Ortner's life was completely transformed when she discovered tapping. But what exactly is tapping? In this interview, the bestselling author and creator of The Tapping Solution app shares her story and demystifies this powerful, accessible type of therapy. Listen to learn the research behind tapping, how tapping relates to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), the nine tapping points, how to tap yourself at home, why tapping is so effective for anxiety, and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/tapping-for-anxiety-jessica-ortner/
In this week's episode, we're taking a step back, getting back to basics, and digging into the real definitions of common (and confusing) terms in the wellness world. A lot of terms are often used incorrectly or imprecisely, and that matters a lot when it comes to our health. Listen to the episode to learn the definitions of and differences between terms like integrative medicine, functional medicine, natural medicine, naturopathy, conventional medicine, traditional medicine, western medicine, alternative medicine, and more! Join the conversation on the written version of this guide here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/what-is-integrative-medicine/
As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, every day is starting to feel the same — and for a lot of us, that means the food we're eating is the same too. But according to this week's guest, gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, even if you're eating the same HEALTHY thing every day, eating the same thing all the time isn't good for you. Why? Because of fiber. Listen to the interview to learn what fiber really is and the different types of fiber (hint: it doesn’t come in a cereal box), why he considers soluble fiber to be “the secret to nutrition” that nobody’s talking about, the important role fiber plays in gut health (it’s not what you think), why a diverse diet matters, and much, much more! Join the conversation on the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/will-bulsiewicz-importance-of-fiber-food-diversity/
With studies suggesting that COVID-19 can be transmitted through particles in the air, a lot of us are considering the cleanliness of the air we breathe. While face masks can protect us in public, what about at home? Can air filters or air purifiers sanitize the air and kill the coronavirus? And when there’s not a pandemic, are these products helpful for protecting our health in general? In this guide, we answer all those questions and more, plus provide our recommendations for the best air filters and air purifiers. Join the conversation on the written version of this guide here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/do-air-purifiers-really-work-best-air-filters/
With COVID-19 still throwing our lives into complete uncertainty, many of us are living in a heightened state of negativity and stress at all times. According to today's guest, Dr. Bojana Weatherly, both of these things can have a serious and lasting impact on your physical health. Fortunately, there's a simple way to stop this from happening: through mindfulness. Listen to the interview to learn the science-backed ways that mindfulness improves health, specific mindfulness techniques that have been proven effective like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), how victimhood changes your brain, and increases inflammation, and much more. Join the conversation on the written version of this article here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/benefits-of-mindfulness-bojana-weatherly
With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, people are suddenly very focused on thoroughly washing all their food to get rid of any harmful substances. But when there’s not a global pandemic, how important is it to wash your produce? The short answer: very.
In this episode we address this topic in-depth. Listen to learn:
- The 2 reasons why you should wash your produce
- How to properly wash your fruit and vegetables
- The best brands of fruit and vegetable wash
- DIY options for making your own produce wash at home
- and much more!
You can also read the guide on our website: https://getwellbe.com/guides/fruit-and-vegetable-wash-how-to-wash-vegetables/
How do you wash your vegetables and fruit? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
As the whole world is focused on a global pandemic, we're excited to share this interview that highlights how the body heals — whether from a virus or something else. In this episode, Adrienne talks with Dr. Wayne Jonas, a family physician with 40 years of experience, including 24 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army.
He shares what he's learned in his decades of research and practice, including:
- The role of our minds in all aspects of healing
- Why "fake" surgeries sometimes actually work
- The economic drivers behind doctors' decisions
- Why the military is the perfect place to learn about holistic medicine
- Why the placebo effect should actually be called the "meaning response"
- The fundamental things all humans need to stay healthy
- and much more!
You can also read or watch the interview on our website: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-jonas-placebo-effect-studies/
Have you had an experience with the placebo effect? Tell us about it in the comments on the article page!
XX Adrienne + Team WellBe
Health news (actually, ALL news) seems to be dominated by COVID-19 these days. Of course, this makes total sense given it's global scale. But one thing this pandemic has driven home to us is the importance of keeping yourself healthy on a daily basis, so that you're less susceptible to viruses if you come in contact with one! And in order to stay healthy, you need to stay informed.
So to that end, on this week's episode we're discussing the most important pieces of health and wellness news (besides coronavirus) that came out in February + March 2020. Listen to learn about:
- How alcohol affects your Alzheimer's risk
- Why pregnant women should take a LOT of vitamin D
- The link between stress and gray hair
- How pesticide affects baby bees (and why you should care)
- The physical impact smartphones have on our brains
- and much more!
You can also read the wrap-up here: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/february-march-2020-wellness-news-alcohol-and-alzheimers/
Which piece of news surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments of the article page!
XX Adrienne + Team WellBe
The entire world’s focus seems to be on one thing right now: the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. This laser focus is definitely merited, given the global scale of the pandemic and its rapid spread. With this attention, there's been a lot of talk (and misinformation) about how to kill viruses, how they differ from bacteria, and why the things that kill one don't kill the other.
In this brand-new guide, we dive into this topic, and give you actionable advice on how you can naturally strengthen your ability to kill off viruses. Listen to find out:
- The difference between bacterial and viral infections
- Whether antibiotics, hand sanitizer, and antibacterial soap can help protect you against COVID-19
- Which natural virus killers actually work (think ozone therapy, infrared saunas, and more)
- Which antiviral herbs are the best, and how to take them
- And much more!
You can also read the guide here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/antiviral-herbs-natural-antivirals/
Do you already incorporate any of these natural virus killers into your life? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
You know what the smart, healthy thing to do is — but sometimes, it just feels impossible to make the healthy choice. Well, according to functional neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, that's not your fault at all. His research actually shows that our modern lifestyles are physically rewiring our brains, making it more difficult to make good choices!
In his interview with WellBe, Dr. Perlmutter shares his expert insights on this phenomenon, as well as actionable tips on how to improve your brain. Listen to find out:
- What 2 regions of the brain control our behavior, and how technology has changed them
- The modern lifestyle factors impairing brain health
- The 8 steps Dr. Perlmutter recommends for improving your brain health and making better decisions going forward
- The powerful relationship between sleep and the brain
- Much more!
You can also read or watch Dr. David Perlmutter's interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/david-perlmutter-how-to-improve-your-brain/
Which of Dr. Perlmutter’s 8 steps to improving your brain do you find the most challenging? Why? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
If you’re sexually active and not currently interested in raising a child (or having more children!), you definitely want an effective form of contraception. There are a dizzying array of options, from good-old condoms to a new natural family planning app, but more and more we are realizing that many of them come with a downside for our health.
In this episode of the podcast, we break down the important health info about all your different options, to help you find the best birth control with the least side effects.
Listen to learn the long-term side effects of birth control pills, as well as these other contraceptive options:
- the sponge
- the patch
- the hormonal IUD
- the copper (non-hormonal) IUD
- non-toxic condoms
- Family Cycles (the FDA-approved natural family planning app)
You can also read our guide on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/guides/best-birth-control-with-the-least-side-effects/
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
When Dr. Vincent Pedre went to med school, gut health wasn't really talked about. But after his own health journey led him to discover the importance of the gut microbiome for overall health, he decided to specialize in the topic.
Today, he's one of the foremost experts on gut health, helping people heal their guts to treat a huge range of chronic diseases and symptoms. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Pedre shares his professional and personal journey, as well as his expert insights on gut health.
Listen to our interview to learn:
- How just smelling food impacts digestion
- What leaky gut actually looks like
- The exact physical relationship between stress and gut health
- His 6 top tips for a healthy gut
- How to know if you have good gut health
- and much more!
You can also read the interview on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-vincent-pedre-importance-of-gut-health/
What have you done to improve your gut health? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It's a lot to digest (pun intended) and read thoroughly. We saved you the trouble. We looked through dozens of studies and here are the 7 things you really need to know for your health from December 2019 and January 2020, WellBe-style. Topics include:
- A link between air pollution linked to Alzheimer's
- A common steroid raises risk of type 2 diabetes
- Hair dyes & straighteners may raise risk of breast cancer
- Tons of regulation updates from the FDA, FCC, EPA, and more
- Babies eating too much sugar + more kid nutrition news
- New research on how much you need to exercise to ward off depression
- How tea impacts heart health
...and much more! You can also read the full version on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/december-2019-january-2020-wellness-news/
Which of these stories stands out the most to you and why? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Dr. Will Cole has been eating raw food and drinking adaptogenic tonics since he was a little kid growing up in Pittsburgh (when the wellness movement was definitely not a thing yet). Today, he's parlayed that interest in wellness into a career as an acclaimed functional medicine practitioner who helps people around the world resolve a whole host of health issues, from autoimmune conditions to digestive disorders and beyond.
In this episode of the podcast, Cole shares his journey with Adrienne, and we tap into his expertise about dietary supplements, learning tons of helpful and actionable information on the topic. Listen to learn:
- Whether we need supplements or not
- How to know which supplements you need to take if you are going to take any
- Which 4 supplements he recommends for everyone
- What it means if your pee is bright yellow, and much more!
You can also read or watch Dr. Will Cole's interview here:
https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/will-cole-benefits-of-dietary-supplements/
Do you take supplements? What benefits do you see? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
You hear a LOT about inflammation in the wellness space. But what you don't hear is much explanation about what, exactly, inflammation really is. Is it always bad? Why does it happen? And how can you prevent it? In this week's episode of the podcast, we answer all those questions and more.
Listen to learn about the two different types of inflammation and what causes each (hint: one kind is actually good for your health; the other, not so much), what symptoms to look out for to know if you're experiencing an inflammatory response, how inflammation relates to chronic disease, what lifestyle factors impact inflammation, the 14 best foods for fighting inflammation, and much more.
You can also read more about inflammation on getwellbe.com:
https://getwellbe.com/guides/inflammation-basics/
https://getwellbe.com/guides/foods-fight-inflammation/
And in case you missed it, registration for the WellBe Spark Health Program is now open!! It will only be offered one time this year, and registration closes on 1/21, so if you're at all interested, jump on it! Learn more and register here: https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/#enroll
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
We're one week into 2020, and a lot of us have been working hard on sticking to our resolutions for the new year. But even a few days in, it's pretty likely that you've encountered a few obstacles or had a few slip-ups. This is 100% normal and part of being human! What matters is making sure you have everything you need to succeed in the long-term.
So in this week's episode, we're looking at the 5 things you need to make your goals into a reality and make healthy lifestyle changes that actually stick. Listen now to learn what specific action increases your chance of success to 95%, how Instagram influencers can actually sabotage your progress, and much more.
You can also read the written version of this episode here: https://getwellbe.com/guides/healthy-lifestyle-changes-spark-health/
PLUS — registration for the Spark Health Program opened TODAY, January 7! After months and months of work and telling you guys about the program, we're so excited to finally give you the opportunity to sign up. If you haven't already, register here before registration closes and claim your spot!): https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/#enroll
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
Happy New Year! Can you believe we're in 2020?
With a new year just begun, many of us are making resolutions and setting goals for the weeks and months ahead. After all, the start of a new year (and DECADE) offers an incredible opportunity for making positive changes.
So this week on the podcast, we're talking about how you can make real, concrete changes that let you become the healthiest version of you and live your best possible life. Specifically, we'll be discussing the 8 specific areas you need to focus on to improve your short- and long-term health and make real, lasting changes.
Listen now to learn the 8 essential things to focus on to make 2020 your best year ever!!
You can also get a downloadable version of our 8-point checklist, which you can print out or screenshot and use as a reference to keep you on track. Access and download it here: https://getwellbe.com/optimizeyourhealth
xx Adrienne + Team WellBe
P.S. We're just FIVE DAYS away from registration for the WellBe Spark Health Program! Join the VIP waitlist now to get early access to the limited spots available: https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
Each December, I make a point of reflecting on the health changes I made throughout the year and identifying the ones that made a difference for my health. This week on the podcast, I'm sharing the 10 changes I made in 2019 that had the most significant impact on my health.
Listen to find out how I finally got a meditation practice to stick, the role my noisy heater played in one major change, how my relationship to gluten changed this year, why I decided to dive back into therapy, what books I most loved (and the role that played in her health), and much more.
Or read the article on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/the-10-most-impactful-health-changes-adrienne-made-in-2019
What changes did you make this year that made a big difference for your health? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Registration for the WellBe Spark Health Program is just around the corner! Learn more about our 1-hour a week, research-backed, take-action program to clean up your home and daily habits to improve your short and long term health here: https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program
There are a lot of studies that come out related to wellness and the industries that touch it, some of which have a huge impact on our health. It's a lot to digest and read thoroughly. We saved you the trouble, and read through dozens of news articles and research to find the 7 most important pieces of health and wellness news from October + November 2019.
Topics include EPA rollbacks of water protections, tons of news on baby health (including a link between C-sections and autism), the effect of optimism on heart health, the relationship between hysterectomies and depression, a proposal for new wellness programs from the Trump administration, updates on several Johnson & Jonson lawsuits, how exercise impacts your Alzheimer's risk, and more.
Or read the article on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/wellness-news-october-november-2019/
Which of these stories stands out the most to you and why? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Learn more about the WellBe Spark Health Program here, our 1-hour a week research-backed take action program to clean up your home and daily habits to improve your short and long term health https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
With holiday travel and winter weather upon us, it’s the time of year when everyone seems to be coming down with something. To help you protect yourself against viruses and stay healthy through the holidays (and all winter long), we looked at what you can do to dramatically improve your immunity — and, as you probably won’t be surprised to hear, the biggest factor when it comes to your immune system is diet.
In this week’s episode of the podcast, you’ll hear insights from a panel of experts (including Dr. Vincent Pedre and Maria Marlowe) on what to eat to keep yourself well. Download and listen now to learn:
What are the best and worst foods for immunity, the role that the gut plays in your immune system, what Ayurveda says about eating for immunity, and much more!
Or watch/read the article on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/guides/foods-that-boost-immunity/
What are your favorite immunity-boosting foods? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
P.S. Don't miss the 48-hour flash sale for the WellBe Spark Health Program! Until Thursday, we're releasing a limited number of spots at a super discounted price (plus some special bonuses). Head to the program page to snag one of the spots before they run out!
https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
This week on the podcast, I'm sharing some personal musings and research on the power of gratitude for improving your health and life.
Then we're also sharing our interview with functional medicine expert James Maskell. Maskell is a true pioneer in the world of functional medicine — he’s the founder of Evolution of Medicine, the Functional Forum (the largest community of integrative and functional medicine doctors and practitioners), and kNew Health.
In the conversation with James, we discuss:
- The reason functional medicine is taking off now in the U.S.
- Promising research results from the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine
- Why functional medicine provides the best value in healthcare
- The difference between functional and integrative medicine
- How he’s helping educate conventional docs
- The Guernsey Journey to 100 Series
- And much more!
Or watch/read the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/james-maskell-functional-medicine/
Do you see a functional medicine doctor? If so, what do you get out of their practice that you don't see from conventional doctors? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
P.S. Don't forget that the WellBe Spark Health Program https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program registration starts in January 2020! The program has 8 incredibly powerful modules for creating healthy lifestyle changes that last, including individualized recommendations from the WellBe team for practitioners, like functional medicine doctors! Get on the VIP notification list now to get special offers, discounts, and access to our limited spots!
In our brand-new guide to detoxing your home and car, we give you all the info you need to keep your home clean without putting you or your loved ones at risk. Listen to find out:
- what toxic chemicals are lurking in common cleaning
- products what ingredients to look out for
- how to save money and improve your health by going the DIY route
- why the regulations on cleaning products are so loose
- how you can source reliably safe cleaning products
- why those little tree-shaped air fresheners in cars are not so innocent
- and much more!
Or watch/read the interview on getwellbe.com: https://getwellbe.com/guides/non-toxic-cleaning-products-diy-cleaning-products/
What are your favorite non-toxic cleaning products or non-toxic cleaning tips? Share them in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne and Team WellBe
P.S. Don't forget that registration for the Spark Health Program starts in January 2020! In it, our team will give you hands-on guidance and to swap out all your harmful cleaning products for non-toxic ones, plus much more. Get on the VIP notification list now to get special offers, discounts, and access to our limited spots.
If you follow the news, you know that we don’t exactly live in a time when tons of environmental regulations are being passed. That means that it falls to each and every one of us to do what we can to protect ourselves from the harmful chemicals floating out there in our air, water, food, cleaning products, and more. Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group makes doing that so much easier, with tons of research and searchable databases aimed at keeping consumers safe.
This week, I had the opportunity to interview Ken Cook, the founder, and CEO of EWG! This is an interview I’m super excited about, and it contains so much important and fascinating information. Listen to learn about:
- Why EWG switched from lobbying for policy changes to educating consumers
- Why oats contain more weed killer than corn
- The top 3 things you can do to protect yourself from harmful chemical exposure
- What you can do as a consumer to help bring about change
- And much more!
Or watch / read the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/ken-cook-protecting-yourself-from-harmful-chemicals/
If you have any questions for Ken or do you use EWG as a reference when looking for clean products? What’s your go-to database? Tell us in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Don't forget that the WellBe Spark Health Program registration opens in Jan 2020 in which we'll be helping you make all of the changes Ken talks about in a fast, actionable, customized way with lots of support from our team! Get on the VIP notification list now to get special offers, discounts, and access to our limited spots.
Our mental health has a major impact on our physical health, but addressing mental health is a huge endeavor, and there are tons of different routes you can take, which makes it intimidating to many of us. So in our latest episode, I break down the different types of psychological therapy and types of mental health professionals, to help you understand which approach is right for you.
You'll learn about:
- The Different Types of Mental Health Professionals
- Who Is Each Type of Psychological Therapy Best For
- How Much They All Cost
- Different Types of Psychological Therapy including EFT, Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, CBT, Biofeedback, Positive Psychology, Neurofeedback, Somatic technique and more
- I share some of the different types of therapy I have tried and what I found to be helpful
We learned a lot from this research and we know you will too!
Read the written version of this episode here: http://bit.ly/2C93w4N
Let us know what you've tried in the comments on the article page on getwellbe.com - I'm so curious!
While you're there don't forget to get our FREE gut health guide because mental health is hugely impacted by your gut health.
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. The WellBe Spark Health Program https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program our 1-hour-a-week program to clean out and replace your products and habits with ones that are research-backed to spark health once and for all launches in January! Make sure you're on the VIP notification list to get access to our limited spots and special pricing and offers.
When CEO and Founder of Follain, Tara Foley, first became concerned with wellness, she focused on the things that get the most attention: food, exercise, mindfulness. But before long, another aspect of wellness, one that wasn’t getting any attention at all, began to capture her attention: clean beauty. As she became more aware of the harmful ingredients in conventional skincare products, and the lack of any conversation around it, she realized that there was a huge hole in the non-toxic skincare space.
She was passionate about the topic, and so made it her mission to fill that hole, and ultimately became founder and CEO of Follain, which vets (and formulates) non-toxic makeup brands and non-toxic skincare products.
Listen to this episode to learn about:
- The most toxic things to look for on the ingredient lists of your skincare and makeup products
- Hear about what she thinks clean brands can learn from Estée Lauder
- The one product that she recommends those just getting started with clean beauty swap out first
- Why makeup is just like food
- What’s happening in terms of clean beauty policy and regulations
- Her personal beauty routine
- Much more!
Read/watch the written and video version here: http://bit.ly/2MUIcWY
Enjoy!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Let us know your favorite clean skincare/beauty picks in the written version of the article on getwellbe.com, and be sure to learn about our Spark Health Program for detoxing for your makeup and skincare while you're there, registration opens in early January!
This week’s episode is a pretty personal one for me. In it, I’m sharing a story about my experience finding a lump in my breast and then having a somewhat terrifying radiologist visit where I got an abnormal ultrasound that required a biopsy. I had a lot of tough decisions to make and ultimately learned new things about my body and my health, was able to connect the dots between this issue and other health issues I'd had, got conflicting opinions from different doctors and got caught up in the insurance vs. out of pocket care dilemma.
It was an intense thing to go through, but it taught me so much about our healthcare system and my own health, and I wanted to share that with you.
You can read the written version of the episode here on getwellbe.com: http://bit.ly/2J9TtAh
I’d love to hear your own stories and takeaways from any health scares — share them with me in the comments of the article!
xx Adrienne
p.s. Are you going through the WellBe Spark Health Program with me in January? https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/ I've never been so excited to help you with these things in my life so I hope so!
When Phoebe Lapine was diagnosed with debilitating Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an autoimmune thyroid condition) right after college, it totally transformed her life. After being told that she’d be on medication for the rest of her life, she found a functional doctor who set her on a path to finding a more holistic way to heal — but this approach didn’t sit well with her either.
There were too many rules, too many things to keep track of, too much clutter in her brain, and so Lapine set off on a year-long journey of reflection and working on one lifestyle change at a time, and was able to reduce her Hashimoto’s disease symptoms. Less than nine months later, she got small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (aka SIBO) and began a totally new chapter of her health journey. She has documented her health journey with one (and soon to be two) books, a podcast, and a blog, and is now sharing her story with WellBe.
Listen to this episode to find out:
- why she got overwhelmed with the natural process for healing her Hashimoto's
- how her Hashimoto’s later impacted her SIBO
- the month-by-month changes she made to methodically reduce her Hashimoto's symptoms
- what SIBO is and how to test for it and treat it
- why SIBO has been missed by the conventional healthcare community and much, much more.
Read/watch the interview here https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/phoebe-lapine-hashimotos-disease-symptoms-healing-sibo/
Have you had either Hashimoto's or SIBO? Or have any other questions you want answered about either condition? Let us know in the comments on the article page!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Don't forget our free gift while you're there!
Award-winning chef, author and the host of the Goop Fellas Podcast, Seamus Mullen made a name for himself with New York restaurants like Tertulia and El Colmado, as well as the books Hero Food and Real Food Heals. But early in his career, he never would have foreseen such success. He felt awful all the time, was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was told that he would likely be in a wheelchair by age 45. But overcoming his diagnosis to become a successful chef and wellness pioneer wasn’t easy.
Listen to this episode to learn how Seamus eventually healed, how he'd been living his life pre-diagnosis, discovering the healing power of food and finding the best diet for rheumatoid arthritis, his can't-miss daily wellness practice and the doctor and mindset that changed everything.
Watch or read our article instead: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/seamus-mullen-best-diet-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/
While you're there be sure to become a WellBe Insider and get our latest content when it drops, special offers, big announcements, and special notes I don't share anywhere else.
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It’s a lot to digest (pun intended). We saved you the trouble. We looked through over 40 studies and here are the 8 things you really need to know for your health from August and September 2019, WellBe-style. Topics include:
-
Diagnosing Lyme Disease Is Challenging — But A New FDA-Approved Test Could Help
-
Pregnancy Health Roundup: Exercise, Sleep Position, Drinking Alcohol, and Vitamin D
-
EPA Declines to Ban Pesticide Tied to Children’s Health Issues
-
Google Is Now Burying Alternative Health Sites In Search Results
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Large Study Shows That A Eating Flavonoid-Rich Diet Greatly Reduces Death From Cancer or Heart Disease
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Toddlers Who Eat A Gluten-Heavy Diet Have A Higher Risk of Celiac Disease
-
Popular Heartburn Drugs Like Prilosec May Increase Risk Of Death
-
Depression Bad News/Good News: Taking Antidepressants Long-Term Linked to Health Risks, But One Supplement Offers Hope For Natural Treatment
Read the Wrap-up here: http://bit.ly/2mLeYj3
Check out the WellBe Spark Health Program here: https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
You might think that it doesn’t really matter where you get your blood work done — a lab test is a lab test, right? But in this fascinating interview with naturopathic physician Dr. Carrie Jones, she explains why it actually matters a lot.
In this episode you'll hear about:
- The major flaws in conventional blood work
- The 4 most important tests everyone should get
- The differences between naturopathic doctors (ND) and Medical Doctors (MD)
- Which female hormones affect everything from acne to sex drive to energy levels
- Why an Excel spreadsheet is actually your best friend no matter what kind of tests you’re getting
- Whether at-home testing kits are worth getting and things to look out for if you are planning to buy one
And much more!
Read/watch (and leave a comment with any questions or your thoughts on the interview!) the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/carrie-jones-types-of-laboratory-tests/
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Did you miss our big announcement last week? Check out last week's episode or read about it here! https://getwellbe.com/spark-health-program/
This week we're doing a new kind of episode. We're just created a WellBe Guide to the Medical Medium celery juice craze and decided to break it down for you as an episode.
If you know anything about the wellness scene, then you’ve probably heard a lot of buzz around celery juice recently. Wellness influencers are posting about it all over Instagram, celebs are extolling its benefits, Goop is talking about how incredible it is, and almost all of them attribute their discovery of the wonder juice to someone called the Medical Medium. But the whole Medical Medium celery juice craze has us asking lots of questions, which we decided to investigate and then answer for you.
In this episode you'll learn:
What this celery juice trend is all about? Who is the Medical Medium? What does he claim drinking celery juice can do for your health? Is there any science behind any of it? How it relates to an Alkaline Diet? What is the WellBe takeaway?
Read the written version of this episode here (and let us know what you think about celery juice and the Medical Medium in the comments there!): https://getwellbe.com/guides/medical-medium-celery-juice
And while you're there don't forget to become a WellBe Insider, we're announcing something BIG in the next few weeks in our newsletter and we wouldn't want you to miss it! Plus you'll get access to special offers, our latest content when it drops and other big announcements.
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Dr. Kelly Brogan was a conventional psychiatrist for many years and spent much of her career prescribing medications to help treat her patients’ conditions. Today, she’s a pioneer in the field of holistic psychiatry and is one of the few known psychiatrists who takes a non-pharmaceutical approach to mental illness. How she made that transition is a fascinating story, as is her totally unique process for working with patients.
In this episode, Dr. Brogan shares how her own health scare took her for prescribing anti-depressants and other drugs daily to all her patients to prescribing none, a few cases of people she has seen heal using her holistic approach, the eye-opening research showing the issues with mental illness medications and conventional health research around mental illness and drug-based treatment, how she gets started treating patients, chronic inflammation caused by both physical and mental/emotional reasons, how she tapers people off medications and much, much more.
Watch/read the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-kelly-brogan-holistic-psychiatry
While you're there, be sure to become a WellBe Insider to hear big announcements (we have one coming soon!), receive special offers and get our latest content when it drops. And if you liked this episode, PLEASE write a quick review of our podcast and THANK YOU in advance!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It’s a lot to digest (pun intended). We saved you the trouble. We looked through over 40 studies and here are the 8 things you really need to know for your health from June and July 2019, WellBe-style. Topics include:
-
Processed Food Drives Weight Gain…And Americans Can’t Stop Eating It
-
Low Childhood Nature Exposure Linked to Worse Adult Mental Health, and Scientists Determine How Much Nature Exposure Is Enough
-
Keurig Dr. Pepper Pulls Its Spring Water Brand for Arsenic Content
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Baby Health Roundup: Breast Milk Colonizes Baby’s Microbiome, and Baby Acid Reflux Meds Lead to Later Bone Fractures
-
Commonly Prescribed Drug Class Linked to Increased Dementia Risk
-
Judge Denies Trump Effort to Require Prices on Drug Commercials
-
Sugary Drinks Are Linked to Cancer — But We Can Do Something About It
-
Factory Farm Chicken Has the Same Cholesterol Levels As Beef
Read the written version (with links to all the studies) below:
https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/health-news-june-july-2019
Was anything in here shocking or upsetting or satisfying to you about all these pieces of news and research? Head to the above article on getwellbe.com and tell us in the comments!
We're super excited about all the new interviews and episodes we have for you in September for season three of The WellBe Podcast! Have the most wonderful August!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Don't forget to subscribe when you're on getwellbe.com to get all our latest content, big announcements and special offers in the WellBe newsletter!
Dr. Jill Blakeway is British-born, and grew up as a self-described “conventional” girl who once worked for the queen! But since those days, she’s forged quite an unconventional path for herself, becoming the first acupuncturist to give a TED Talk at TED Global, and standing at the forefront of energy healing therapy. Adrienne sat down with Jill to learn about her journey to becoming a doctor of Chinese medicine and practicing acupuncturist for over 25 years and the founder of the Yinova Center for herbs and acupuncture in New York City. In this interview Adrienne and Jill discuss:
- The science behind different forms of energy healing techniques and current research on different modalities
- How acupuncture and other forms of energy healing actually work
- The complex biases against energy healing in the conventional medical community
- The incredible story of a quadriplegic man who healed himself through sound therapy and other inspiring stories and people she met while writing her latest book, Energy Medicine
Read/watch the written/video version here! https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/dr-jill-blakeway-explains-the-science-behind-energy-healing-techniques
Do you have any more questions about energy medicine or your own experiences with energy healing? Tell us in the comments there!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
When Joy Fennell was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) back in 2008, the future looked bleak. The New York City-based makeup artist was only in her early 30s, but she suddenly found herself unable to lift her arms over her head or walk without a cane, and the only solution doctors offered was an intensive and side effect-laden drug regimen. After becoming nearly bedridden, she decided to take her health into her own hands and find another, drug-free, path to healing rheumatoid arthritis naturally.
In this episode Joy talks about:
- her misdiagnosed carpal tunnel
- prescriptions for a Prednisone and Plaquenil and many other powerful drugs
- how obesity played into her disease
- how she avoided a double-knee replacement and neck surgery
- the role that Rolfing and chiropractic treatment have played in her recovery
- how her health coach friend helped her as well as a symptom-tracking app,
- why she believes it’s essential to take control of your own health destiny.
The video/written version is here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/joy-fennell-rheumatoid-arthritis
Did you heal RA? What did you do? I'd love to know, so leave a comment on the video/written version of the story on getwellbe.com.
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Mette Dyhrberg was 14 years old when she experienced her first autoimmune symptoms and was diagnosed with psoriasis. She noticed three red dots on her neck, then woke up the next day covered in them. This was the beginning of a decades-long struggle with autoimmune symptoms and chronic illness, which led to five more diagnoses, a ton of drug prescriptions including Humira, and, ultimately, the realization that she wasn’t far from death.
At one point, she began losing her eyesight and couldn't walk upstairs without getting winded! That’s when she decided to take control of her treatment, find true health — and build the symptom-tracking app Mymee that helps others do the same.
Listen to this incredible recovery story to hear how Mette started to put the pieces together from all these diseases and symptoms, why some of Mette’s friends had no idea she was suffering, how being a CEO influenced her approach to her illness and the role the healthcare system played in her journey.
Have you experienced anything like Mette or uses tracking to reverse symptoms or illness? Go to the written and video version of this interview and tell me in the comments! https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/mymee-mette-autoimmune-disease
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Sign up to become a WellBe Insider while you're there to get all our latest content, big announcements and special offers we don't make anywhere else! www.getwellbe.com/subscribe
After growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens in New York City, Dr. Robert Graham went on to study internal medicine, public health, and integrative medicine at Harvard. After practicing at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, he saw that by combining the best of these approaches, he could give his patients truly holistic care. That’s why he founded FRESH Med in Brooklyn, NY, an integrative health center where patients are treated as a whole and the goal is to get to the root cause of health issues.
In this interview, Dr. Graham talks about: * The “five pillars” of health and well-being * Why the food in hospitals is so terrible * How to reform healthcare and medical school education * Why self-care really matters * How to find a legit integrative doctor * His predictions for the next 20 years of healthcare and wellness * ...and much, much more.
We think Dr. Graham is such a great guy, we're sure you'll agree! To read/watch this article click here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-robert-graham-freshmed
Let us know what you think of the interview on the interview article page in the comments and have a WONDERFUL 4th of July!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Hang with us daily on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe
June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month so I've decided to share my 20-year journey with Scoliosis and chronic pain.
If you have chronic pain or scoliosis, I hope my experience and everything I've learned over the years can be interesting and helpful to you, or at the very least make you think a bit differently about the connections between pain in the body, things that have happened to you and the types of treatments you might try.
In this episode I share:
-Getting adult teeth extracted when I was 11 and the impact that can have on pain and stability
-My scoliosis forming and how it is now
-All the different natural therapies I have tried to treat my scoliosis, neck, back and jaw pain
-The many conventional doctors I have seen and the hard to believe treatments they recommended
-The neuromuscular dentistry work I did in my 20s (spoiler alert - I had to have metal braces!) to help alleviate the pain and what happened
-The connection between hip and SI joint imbalance and jaw and neck pain
-Hyperextension, loose ligaments, hypermobile joints and how that is connected to pain
-The two natural therapies that keep me out of extreme pain these days
-The emotional trauma work I was introduced to that has begun to make me think a bit differently about my pain
You can read the written version of this episode here: https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/adrienne-scoliosis-treatment-chronic-pain
Have you had any experiences like mine? How have you handled your pain? Please comment on the written version and let me know! And while you're there be sure to become a WellBe Insider to get all of our latest content, big announcements, and special offers weekly.
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Hang with us daily on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe
Actress Jennifer Esposito spent 30 years dealing with mysterious health ailments including chronic sinus infections, mental illness symptoms, gut trouble, hair falling out, skin and nails coming off and allergies before she was finally diagnosed with celiac disease. In this clip, she tells the story of how her increasingly severe symptoms went undiagnosed, and the moment she knew she needed to take action and get to the root of her issues and then the long, hard but successful road to healing.
In it, she discusses everything that happened before the diagnosis and all of her symptoms, how she finally found someone who ran the right tests, all of the tools she used to fully heal her badly damaged gut and mind, the functional medicine doctor who helped and everything she is now trying to teach others as a result of her experience.
Watch or read the interview here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/jennifer-esposito-celiac-disease-diagnosis
Did you have a similar misdiagnosis or experience with Celiac or another autoimmune condition? Let me know in the comments on the article page - I'd love to hear your story.
This story is bonkers, I loved hearing it and I know you will too!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Hang with us daily at www.instagram.com/getwellbe
Imagine gaining 40 pounds through the course of a single day. For Amie Valpone, a case of edema— swelling caused by excessive fluid trapped in the body’s tissues — started her on a medical journey that took 10 years to resolve. Amie went to top hospitals and doctors to try to figure out what was causing her legs to swell, but no one could pinpoint and resolve the issue. On top of that, her body would become inflamed when she ate and she was put on multiple antibiotics for a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth SIBO and candida.
Then, in 2011, she contracted C.diff (a bacterium that’s common in people who take antibiotics over a long period of time) and was given 24 hours to live. From that point on, Valpone vowed to dedicate her life to helping others find the cause of their disease and use integrative medicine to heal. Valpone tells WellBe they found everything from mold to heavy metals to leaky gut to polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS and a handful of other diagnoses, including Lyme.
Now a holistic health coach, Amie also puts on her expert hat and talks with Adrienne about why detoxing and going on a juice cleanse aren’t the same thing, how insurance fits into a holistic approach to wellness, how to eat healthy in restaurants and what to look out for, and why she won't go near a salad bar.
After you listen, don’t forget to scroll down and leave us a review, it helps others to find us so we can grow! Thank you in advance!
You can also watch the video version of this interview here and let us know what you think in the comments! While you're there, of course, subscribe to our newsletter so you get all of our latest content when it drops and special offers and announcements we don't share anywhere else. https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/amie-valpone-eating-healthy-at-restaurants
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Want to hang with us daily? Find us on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It’s a lot to digest (pun intended). We saved you the trouble. Here are 8 things you need to know from April and May 2019, WellBe-style.
-
BCBS Report on Millennials Shows that Health Starts to Decline at Age 27
-
Infections During Childhood Linked to Eating Disorders During Adolescence
-
Lawsuit Accuses Poland Spring of Falsely Marketing Itself as “Spring Water”
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Eating More Than a Half Pound of Meat Day Increases Risk of Early Death in Men
-
Government Action + Inaction Roundup!
-EPA sided with Monsanto over claims that Roundup causes cancer, while a California jury awarded over $2 billion to a couple who claimed their cancer was caused by exposure to Roundup.
-The FDA ordered manufacturers of vaginal mesh products to pull their merchandise from the shelves
-The FDA also decided NOT to ban a type of breast implant linked to a rare cancer
-The Trump administration is planning to replace many federal inspectors at hog plants with plant employees, at the same time as a new E. coli outbreak that has afflicted at least 196 people and has been traced back to ground beef.
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Sitting for More than 13 Hours a Day Can Cause Metabolic Problems — Even If You Exercise
-
Whitening Strips May Do Serious Damage to Your Teeth
-
Advanced Paternal Age Can Have a Negative Impact on Baby (and Mama!)
To dive further in and read the actual studies and reports, head to the written version of this wrap-up here: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/april-may-2019-health-news-research
While you're there, let us know what shocked or affected you most about this news in the comments! And don't forget to subscribe to become a WellBe Insider to get the wrap-up in your inbox the next time it comes out!
Oh and hang with us daily on Instagram :) www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne and Team WellBe
May is mental health awareness month and also this May 16th would have been my mom’s 70th birthday. May is also the month of Mother’s Day and New York City –especially in Central Park which she just loved– bursts with color and life in May after a long, cold winter. All of this is to say that I’ve been thinking a lot about my mom the past few weeks and decided to share with you an updated version of her story. In it, I share about my mom's
- Manic episode that led to her first hospitalization and diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder
- Experience within the conventional mental healthcare system for over three years
- Experience on antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizer drugs, and her subsequent death by suicide
The written version of this episode is here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/mental-health-patient-advocacy
Have you had a similar experience with mental illness for yourself or a loved one? Please feel free to share it in the comments at the bottom of the article page. I know this stuff is deeply personal and traumatic but I believe only in all of us all sharing our truths, will real change and healing ever truly happen.
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
For daily inspiration, follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe
In honor of Lyme Disease Awareness month which is May, I’ve decided to share with you my story of Lyme and Lyme recovery. It’s one full of crazy treatments and ups and downs, but I know for many out there suffering and looking for answers, it might provide the hope or inspiration and certainly some ideas about treatments and things to try to heal.
In this episode I discuss:
-Lyme testing and diagnostics
-Lyme symptoms
-Standard/conventional Lyme treatment (antibiotics) and why it often doesn't heal people who then suffer from Chronic Lyme
-The integrative treatments I did
-Why different treatments will work on some people and not others
-What my mom (who was my caregiver and advocate) taught me in my healing process
-What I learned from the doctors and practitioners we saw
To read and/or watch my story click here: https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/adrienne-lyme-disease
Tell me your Lyme story in the comments there, I'd love to hear it. Oh and be sure to become a WellBe Insider and get our latest content, big announcements, and special offers weekly!
Oh and hang with us daily on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Kelli Tennant began to get sick in 2005 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007 while playing competitive division I volleyball at USC. For five years, she believed she had fibromyalgia, until one day in 2012 she finally decided to go on a journey to figure out what was really wrong with her. What she found was remarkable. Listen to me (Adrienne) interview Kelli as she shares this inspiring tale of recovery. We discussed everything from the Autoimmune protocol to Aryuveda to sage-ing space, journaling, her experience being a “hot” sports reporter covering the LA Lakers and Dodgers, the Paleo diet, her functional medicine doctor, Ozone therapy, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), lead, arsenic, celery juice, the MTHFR gene, SIBO, leaky gut and most importantly how not living your truth can affect your physical health.
Read the episode instead here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/kelli-tennant-fibromyalgia
And while you're there don't forget to become a WellBe Insider so you get all our latest content, big announcements and special offers weekly!
xx Adrienne and Team WellBe
p.s. You can also hang with us daily on Instagram :) www.instagram.com/getwellbe
Ellie Burrows had a health scare in 2008 that landed her in the office of functional and integrative medicine expert Dr. Frank Lipman. He introduced her to meditation to manage emotional aspects of her health issue and having that de-stressing practice became her anchor. She realized meditation was like going to the gym— if you go consistently, you’ll see the benefits. That’s when she came to the idea for MNDFL, New York City’s first drop-in meditation studio.
Listen to this episode to learn:
The benefits of meditation
The 4 C's of building a meditation practice that sticks
How meditation helps build consciousness
Why meditation teaches you about yourself
How tech takes away from our relationships
The upside of having a meditation community
Watch the video version of this interview here: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/ellie-burrows-mndfl-meditation
Don't forget to sign up to become a WellBe Insider while you're there so you get all our latest content, special offers, and big announcements when they drop!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Oh and hang with us daily on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
As I alluded to in my impactful changes of 2018 article https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/the-10-most-impactful-health-changes-adrienne-made-in-2018, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis about a year ago.
As it would happen, I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Aviva Romm, a wonderful functional medicine doctor and author of The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution. This past January, I followed her 3-4 week program and then retested my thyroid with a blood test.
Despite everything I know about food, meditation, movement, supplements, and herbs, this program taught me so much, and opened my eyes to all of my false beliefs: the things I’d convinced myself, or never thought about, or didn’t fully understand, or blindly assumed. If you’re thinking of doing the Adrenal Thyroid Revolution program, or any kind of reset program or elimination diet, listen to this episode to hear my seven takeaways that might help you understand what to expect and what to look out for. You can also read the written version of this episode here: https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/aviva-romm-adrenal-thyroid-revolution-program
Have you done this program or another elimination diet? Or reversed Hashimoto's? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments on the article above!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
You can also hang with us daily on Instagram! :) www.instagram.com/getwellbe
Integrative psychiatrist Dr. Ellen Vora, MD takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, addressing root causes and considering the patient’s whole self as part of the diagnosis and care. We talked about:
- The role sleep plays in mental health
- The connection between mental health and gut health and diet
- The root causes and natural approaches to treating anxiety and depression
- ADD/ADHD and the side effects of stimulants
- The effectiveness of antidepressants
- How she uses her acupuncture and yoga training with patients
- The one thing you can do to advocate for better mental health in your daily life
Enjoy listening! You can also watch the video version of this interview here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/ellen_vora_gut_health_mental_health
When you're there don't forget to sign up to become a WellBe Insider to get our big announcements, special offers and our latest content delivered to you.
Oh and hang with us daily on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xxx Adrienne & Team WellBe
In late December, I went through and thought about everything I had done in 2018 to impact my health - most for the better, one for the worse! I decided to detail them for you in this episode to give you some ideas and inspiration about some places to start to improve your health and prevent future chronic disease (or help to reverse it now!) A few of the changes:
Dentist / dental habits
Finally improving my back, neck, hip, jaw, TMJ, scoliosis pain
Turning my hypothyroidism into Hashimoto's
BYO Products - Everywhere!
A new relationship with caffeine
Discovering the most delicious non-dairy milks (and I've tried a bunch!)
Reducing my blue light exposure
Reducing my radiation exposure
Adopting plant babies!
Read the written version of this episode here: https://getwellbe.com/adriennes-blog/the-10-most-impactful-health-changes-adrienne-made-in-2018
And leave a comment when you're there about impactful changes you've made for your health lately!
xx Adrienne
@getwellbe
Dr. Robin Berzin went to medical school at Columbia University with the goal of getting a solid, conventional medicine education that she could use to help patients in a non-conventional way. The combo of studying public health in college and seeing her dad’s experience as a primary care doctor showed her that medicine alone wasn’t the solution— that things like yoga, nutrition, meditation, and lifestyle changes needed to be the first line of defense in preventing disease. After graduation, she trained at The Institute for Functional Medicine.
In 2015, she founded Parsley Health, a boutique membership-based healthcare provider focused on functional medicine. Listen to hear about:
- Why it's important to use a health coach
- An incredible autoimmune patient story: A rare condition called Behcet’s autoimmune vasculitis left her with numerous ulcers, inflammation, insomnia, weight gain, and acne. Powerful steroids hadn’t helped, but Parsley helped her become medication and symptom-free in six weeks!
- How to get doctors to really learn about nutrition in a useful way
- Robin's advice on how to advocate for getting the healthcare you want and need to avoid disease and save money in the long run.
Click here to watch the video version of this interview: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/robin-berzin-parsley-health-patient-story
While you're there, sign up to become a WellBe Insider and get all of our latest content, special offers and big announcements sent right to you! Oh and hang with us daily on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of wellness and health news and research can be overwhelming. It’s a lot to digest (pun intended). We saved you the trouble. Here are 7 things you need to know from February + March, WellBe-style, read to you by me, Adrienne!
- FDA Commissioner Announces Stronger Regulations on Supplements…Then Resigns
- HPV Might Be Behind Vocal Cord Cancers in Young
- More Confirmation of the Diet-Gut-Mental Health Connection, C. Difficile Bacteria Linked to Antibiotics Use, and Gut Health Now Being Used to Cure Cancer
- Study Links Eggs to Higher Cholesterol and Risk of Heart Disease
- The Ability to Perform 40+ Push-ups Associated with Lower Risk of Heart Disease
- Facing Opioid Lawsuits, Purdue Pharma Considers Bankruptcy and Settles for $270M with Oklahoma.
- Johnson and Johnson Talc Supplier Files for Bankruptcy
For links and a lot more details, check out the written version of the Feb + March 2019 WellBe Wrap-up: https://getwellbe.com/health-news-research/february-march-2019-health-news-research
*The WellBe egg guide we mentioned in the episode: https://getwellbe.com/guides/healthy-egg-guide
**The WellBe Store we mentioned in the episode: https://getwellbe.com/store
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
p.s. Hang with us daily on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
Elissa Goodman knew that she needed to make a change in her lifestyle in order to get in control of her mental and physical health. But her real wake-up call came when, at age 32, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “I knew my life wasn’t going in the right direction in a lot of ways, but I didn’t really want to focus on it,” Goodman remembers. But after her diagnosis, she had no choice but to face it head-on.
Listen to her incredible story of what happened next, how kicking cancer led to her becoming a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle cleanse expert, why she juices every day and thinks soups are an essential part of cleanses, hear the tragic and eye-opening story of her husband’s cancer diagnosis 11 years after her own, his very different approach to treating it, her Hashimoto's Diagnosis after pregnancy and how she healed that too, and much more.
Watch the video version of this interview here:https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/how-holistic-nutritionist-elissa-goodman-skipped-chemo-and-beat-lymphoma-cancer
And while you're there, don't forget to become a WellBe Insider so that you can get all our latest content, special offers and big announcements we don't make anywhere else weekly in your inbox.
Oh and hang with us daily on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Diane “V” Capaldi goes by the moniker PaleoBOSS Lady because she IS a boss. And a lady. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 24, her health declined rapidly for 23 more years, with the multiple sclerosis symptoms becoming more and more debilitating — and the treatment more and more expensive. Then, a life-changing trip inspired her to take things into her own hands, and she began to pursue diet and lifestyle changes that turned out to be the best multiple sclerosis treatment she could have asked for. Ultimately, she was able to heal herself — no more drugs, no more doctors — and is to this day the most healed MS patient on record.
Listen to this episode to hear this remarkable story, including: all of the treatments she did in the conventional system, her time on the National MS board, the TED Talk that changed everything, how long it took her to reverse her MS, her current diet and lifestyle protocol to keep her MS in remission and her new career serving others. You'll be blown away!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
To watch the video version of this interview: https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/paleoboss-lady-multiple-sclerosis
While you're there, you'll want to become a WellBe Insider to get all of our latest content, big announcements and special offers delivered to you weekly!
Oh and you can also hang with us daily on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/getwellbe/
You've probably heard about Ayurveda, which is the traditional Hindu system of medicine. It comes from thousands of years of practice in India and is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing. In our interview with Ayurveda expert Sahara Rose, author of “Idiot’s Guide: Ayurveda, she explains:
- What the different doshas are
- What their particular nutritional needs are
- The simple ways to incorporate Ayurveda practices into your day (including tongue scraping, body brushing, and oil pulling)
- Why your dosha actually shifts constantly
- Why eating seasonally is so important
- How cold water affects your health
- Why Ayurveda is focused on digestion not just food
- The differences between Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda
- Why she sometimes disagrees with Ayurvedic traditions
- How Ayurveda helps you understand your body
- How seeing a naturopath has changed her life
- How to find an Ayurvedic practitioner for your needs
- Why she loves batch cooking
- Why Ayurveda is about your lifestyle and understanding how you’re meant to help others
Watch the video version here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/sahara_rose_ayurveda
And while you're there, definitely become a WellBe Insider so you don't miss any new content, special offers and big announcements.
And of course hang with us daily on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
When Dr. Taz Bhatia began losing her hair, she’d already completed years of medical school and had begun her residency — but she had no idea what was happening to her body. Ultimately, she was able to get her symptoms under control, but it took going outside of what she’d been taught in med school. This experience opened her eyes to the strengths and weaknesses of conventional medicine, fundamentally shifting the way she approaches medicine to this day.
The Atlanta-based functional medicine doctor, acupuncturist, certified nutritionist, and author sat down with WellBe to share her own health journey and why it made her take a holistic approach to medicine. Listen to this episode to hear her discuss:
- How her hair falling out during residency changed the course of her career
- Why the male vs. female approach to medicine is different, and why we need more women at the table for medical decision-making
- The serious problem of “gaslighting” (ever heard of it?) in medical settings, especially for women
- Why treating patients with conventional medicine’s aggressive approach is less rewarding for her as a physician than taking a more preventative approach
- Hormone disruption and how it relates to conditions like PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids
- The MTHFR gene and how it relates to IUDs (plus what she advises her patients on IUDs)
- How we each have a power type with an associated hormone pattern, diet, and lifestyle to perform at our best
Watch the video version of this interview here and while you're there, become a WellBe Insider so you never miss our latest content, special offers and announcements! https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-taz-hair-loss
For daily inspiration and information, follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
To anyone who has not been a chronic disease patient, a caretaker of one, or has worked in the healthcare system, it’s a confusing mess you hope to never really have to deal with or understand. If you do understand it and have had to deal with it, it’s even more complex and confusing.
Based on my personal experiences as a lyme disease and then amenorrhea patient, caretaker for my mother when she battled schizoaffective disorder for five years in the mental healthcare system, and then from the several years I spent working with hospitals after I lost my mom, I’m going to explain to you the three major reasons why I believe the healthcare system is so broken, and they’re probably not the reasons you’ve heard about.
Read the article version here https://getwellbe.com/dr-axe-broken-healthcare-system and please leave a comment and tell me your thoughts on why the system is broken - I'd love to hear them!
For daily inspiration and information, follow @getwellbe on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Since it's cancer prevention month, let's talk about this awful disease. Usually, people go to see a doctor because they’re experiencing some symptom that they want to treat. According to Tammy Kohlschmidt, a certified clinical thermographer, that’s entirely the wrong approach. As she explained to WellBe, thermography offers a way to catch dysfunction before it becomes symptomatic, helping people to prevent rather than treat disease — which is key to maintaining your health.
Thermography, also known as digital infrared thermal imaging, is a screening method that uses camera images to measure your body temperature and blood flow, looking for patterns and variations that can screen for dysfunction and precursors to disease.
Because of the way the screening works, it’s also able to detect abnormalities and dysfunction before other tests. Kohlschmidt explains that thermography can pick up cancer cells when they’re about the size of a grain of rice, or around two years old, whereas a mammogram won’t pick it up for eight years.
Listen to the episode to learn more about how thermography helps to detect what is really going in your body, how it differs from mammograms and ultrasounds, where to find a clinical thermographer, what to expect at your appointment and why this test isn't standard in conventional medicine.
Watch the video version of this interview with Tammy Kohlschmidt here https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/thermography
Oh and be sure to subscribe to become a WellBe Insider when you're there.
Or, want to learn and be inspired daily? Join us on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
In honor of Valentine's Day, we're talking about sex today on The WellBe Podcast! Probably the least fun part of sex is the birth control, but it's also certainly the most important part for most of us.
At WellBe, we think condoms are one of the best forms of birth control out there for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs), keeping your body free of synthetic hormones and of course unwanted pregnancy. And this is all true, but, as Meika Hollender, the co-founder of Sustain Natural, a vagina-friendly product company (founded with her dad btw!) points out, you also need to be concerned about the type of condom you use, as many conventional condoms not only contribute to unfair labor practices around the world, but also have the potential to cause cancer.
Listen to the full conversation to learn about the risks conventional condoms pose (pesticides, nitrosamines, what the what?!), the role the FDA plays and how to find vagina-friendly condoms.
You can watch the video version of this interview here https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/meika-hollender-vagina-friendly-condoms and while you're there, you'll definitely want to become a WellBe Insider to get our latest content, announcements and special offers I don't share anywhere else directly in your inbox.
Oh and follow along with us daily on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe! :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
It's that time again! Trying to stay on top of health- and wellness-related news and events can be overwhelming. It’s a lot to digest (pun intended). We saved you the trouble. Here’s what happened in December and January, WellBe-style.
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Johnson & Johnson Knew About Asbestos in Baby Powder — And Now They’re Paying for It
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Kids’ Gut Health Linked to Autism, Leukemia, and Future Mental Disorders
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Study Shows that the Placebo Effect Trumps Genes
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Report Finds That Seafood Mislabeling is “Rampant”
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U.S. Life Expectancy Declines for Third Year, While Suicide Rate Soars
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JHU Researchers Say Plant Compounds Are Better at Treating Lyme Disease than Antibiotics
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Type 2 Diabetes May Be A Cause of Erectile Dysfunction
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Two Activist Wins: McDonald’s Drops Antibiotics from Beef & NIH Will Now Scrutinize Private Donations
Other news worth noting:
Study Shows Link Between Chemical Exposure and Earlier Girl’s Puberty
At Least 10% of Asthma Cases Are From Childhood Obesity
To read The WellBe Wrap-up (with links to research) click here http://bit.ly/2UHVsPK - oh and while you're there be sure to sign up to become a WellBe Insider - that's the best way to keep us with us.
And hang out with us daily on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe :)
Dr. Joel Gator is a conventionally trained pediatrician. One day during his residency, he was faced with a 10-year-old boy with juvenile arthritis. None of the doctors had any idea of the cause, and labeled it simply as idiopathic. But Dr. Gator, noticing that the boy was always snacking on junk food like chips and candy, brought up the possibility that his diet might be connected to the symptoms. “Everybody kind of just laughed it off,” he remembers.
But after the child left the hospital, his family sought out Dr. Gator as a pediatrician, and they immediately began working on dietary changes, eliminating wheat and dairy and reducing sugar. The symptoms went away, and the child never came back to the hospital again. “That, to me, was a light bulb moment,” says Dr. Gator.
Listen to this episode to hear his thoughts on the troubling trends in chronic disease trends in children today, how diet may be connected to a rise in ADHD diagnoses, how to approach vaccines, what really causes autism, how he treats asthma, and why bridging the divide between Eastern and Western medicine is more important in today’s environment than it’s ever been.
Watch the video version here http://bit.ly/2B9jNqa, oh and get daily inspiration and information on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe
Writer, director, and producer of the documentary, Heal, Kelly Noonan Gores wants you to know one thing: that humans are designed to heal, and that each of us has the power to help our own bodies and minds to achieve optimal wellness.
But, as with anything in the health and wellness world, things quickly become complicated. There’s the clash between Western medicine and more holistic routes, the complex and often ignored mind-body connection, and the fuzzy understanding of the role that genes and “inevitability” play in all of it. But Gores believes the truth at the center of it remains the same, and she hopes her film will empower everyone who sees it to tap into their innate power and take back control of their health.
We found this interview SO fascinating, listen to learn about the nine common natural things cancer survivors did to heal, how one man healed a terminal illness through laughter, what the placebo effect tells us about the power of the mind over medicine, what our childhood has to do with it all, and so much more.
Watch the video version here: https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/heal-director-kelly-noonan-gores
You probably want to follow us for daily inspiration and information on Instagram. :) https://www.instagram.com/getwellbe/
Did you rate or review this podcast? It helps so much, please do and thank you advance!
xx Adrienne and Team WellBe
“I just went into this really low swing of major depression for about nine months. I didn’t have a period for nine months. I gained 30 pounds. I never wanted to see friends. I didn’t see the point in anything.”
For a year, Gabriella Campagna struggled with fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, depression, being tired all the time, and always feeling cold, but blamed the symptoms on the stress of post-college life and her dance career. When she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (the most common thyroid disorder in the U.S., affecting 14 million people) in 2009, she was prescribed Synthroid (sometimes misspelled as Synthyroid) and sent on her way. Synthroid is also the most-prescribed brand-name drug in the country.
The Synthroid thyroid medication initially helped her feel better, but then she started experiencing anxiety, heart palpitations, and manic behavior. Campagna’s mother intuitively thought it was the drug, but multiple doctors told her it wasn’t related and suggested she see a psychiatrist because the issue may have been bipolar disorder or depression. Campagna lowered her Synthroid dosage, and, again, felt better for a while, but then things got worse.
Campagna hit such a low that she thought maybe she did have depression or bipolar, and a psychiatrist offered to prescribe her antidepressants, but her parents resisted. They took her to an endocrinologist, who increased her Synthroid dosage. Within three weeks, she had symptoms of mania.
Listen to the rest of this amazing story to hear how Gabriella ended up in a psychiatric facility on antipsychotics, and how she eventually got to the bottom of her issue, recovered her mental health and got on the path to healing her Hashimoto's.
Watch the video version of this story https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/hashimotos-synthroid-reaction/
And don't forget to subscribe and review our podcast, it makes a huge difference and is so appreciated! Oh and you probably want to follow us Instagram https://www.instagram.com/getwellbe (or Facebook or Youtube too. :)
xxx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Rachel Winard went from never being sick and having great skin to suddenly having a constant fever, getting covered in full-body rashes, and having all sorts of other weird illnesses. It took her 15 doctors to finally get diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your own tissues and organs.
She was eventually put on chemotherapy for lupus and several other drugs. When she wasn’t healing, she finally decided to take control of her own health and find a natural lupus cure. What she found changed the course of her health, career and life. Listen to hear this powerful story and hear what tools she uses today to keep her Lupus in remission. Watch the video version of this story here https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/lupus-ayurveda-soapwalla-rachel-winard and subscribe to become a WellBe Insider while you're there!
For daily inspiration and information follow @getwellbe on Instagram. http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe :)
And thank you guys in advance for rating, reviewing and/or subscribing to the WellBe Podcast! It helps a lot!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
A lot of studies and news stories come out everyday that are related to wellness and healthcare and the industries that touch them, some of which have a huge impact on our health. It's a lot to digest (pun intended). We decided to start making The WellBe Wrap-up in July 2017 as a monthly (or bi-monthly when news is slower in the summer) written piece for our readers.
Our readers told us they wanted to have it read to them by Adrienne as a podcast episode, and we listened. So here you go, get all the important health and wellness news and research from October + November 2018 right here in 20 minutes. To read some of the studies and other things we reference, read the article here on our site https://getwellbe.com/guides/october-november-health-news
Oh and while you're there, sign up to become a WellBe Insider to get announcements, our latest content and special offers weekly.
Wrap-up Topics include:
Cortisol/stress & the ability to think
Not exercising - worse for you than smoking?
A link between cell phone radiation and cancer?
Does eating organic lower your cancer risk?
EU Votes to Ban Single Use Plastic
Is breastfeeding as good for a mom as her baby?
Can being mindful reduce pain?
Why are Johns Hopkins researchers calling for magic mushrooms to be legalized?
For daily inspiration and information follow @getwellbe on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe and let us know what you think!
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Carley Smith goes by “The Fairy Gutmother” moniker, but the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner isn’t just administering wisdom to make others’ (health) dreams a reality. After Smith, unknowingly contracted Lyme disease, it led to a series of challenges and misguided advice from doctors that harmed her physical and mental health and quality of life. It was only when she started researching Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet (GAPS) and went on the GAPS protocol that she was able to turn her health — and her life — around.
After Smith contracted Lyme, she (unusually) got her period for four months straight. Doctors put her on different birth control pills, but eventually they told her to just “go lay in bed with my feet up,” she told WellBe. The constant bleeding led to a bacterial infection in her uterus and she went on a heavy dose of antibiotics. That triggered a flu-like reaction and she started losing cognitive function. A friend suggested she get tested for Lyme, and it came back positive; she was put on antibiotics. Those antibiotics caused her to break out in tiny little bumps; she was put on more antibiotics. Her stomach became swollen; more antibiotics.
Listen to the remarkable story of how this woman healed and understand more about the GAPS diet, or watch the video version here https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/carley-smith-gaps-diet. And while you're there, sign up to become a WellBe insider!
For daily inspiration and information, follow @getwellbe on Instagram :) http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
When Dana James first began studying nutrition, she looked at the link between food and skin — and found it really boring. Instead, she was drawn toward the mental health aspect of nutrition and weight management, the ways in which our particular psychologies shape how and what we eat. This interest led her to study cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and functional medicine along with nutrition, and to develop a model of four female archetypes, each of which has a distinct body shape and relationship with food.
As she dug into the ways that women eat — her focus is on weight management for women — she began to see patterns. Out of these patterns, she developed the four archetypes, each of which has a distinct way of approaching food; through these archetypes, she hopes to “help women really understand themselves.” Each of the four archetypes gets their sense of self-worth from a different source, and their characteristics, eating habits, and even body shape all stem from that.
Listen to this fascinating episode to figure out which of the 4 archetypes you are, learn more about the microbiome-mental health connection (did you know gut bacteria is affected by trauma?), why the same food will be better for you when prepared by a loved one vs. a stranger, how chakras and the color spectrum play into nutrition, and much more. She was SO spot on about us when we filmed this!
Watch the video version of this interview here. https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dana-james-on-the-4-archetypes-of-female-eating-habits-and-body-types and subscribe to our newsletter while you're there for our latest content, events and offers!
For daily inspiration and information, follow @getwellbe on Instagram too. http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
When Max Lugavere’s mom started showing signs of memory loss a few years ago, the journalist threw himself into researching how diet and lifestyle could’ve contributed to her dementia diagnosis. His new book, ”Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life,” is the culmination of that work, for which he talked to top researchers around the world about dementia prevention.
Generally, at WellBe we try to talk to experts who have some credential in their field or are changing an industry with a healthier alternative. Lugavere, like us, is a researcher, and his book was co-written by Dr. Paul Grewal, a functional medicine physician in New York City. Dr. Grewal approved the research in the book.
Listen to this episode to learn what to eat and do for Alzheimer's and dementia prevention, what we know about the disease based on current research, why eating fewer meals may be better for you, why eating in moderation isn’t good advice, and how to wean yourself off junk foods. Watch the video version of the interview here. https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/max-lugavere-on-the-best-foods-to-prevent-alzheimers-disease and while you're there sign up to become a WellBe Insider and get our latest content, announcements and offers weekly!
For daily inspiration and information follow @getwellbe on Instagram. :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
"It's all connected, it's one tube." -Dr. Reid L. Winick, D.D.S., founder of Dentistry for Health New York
Your mouth holds all the secrets of your body's gut health, nutrition, acidity and much more. We learned so much from Dr. Winick about integrative dentistry and how our oral health gives us vital clues into the health of our entire bodies. Winick started as a conventional dentist and changed course after curing his Crohn’s disease https://www.getwellbe.com/changemakers/crohns-disease-dental-health. For the past 20 years, he has practiced holistic dentistry, helping his patients with a variety of oral and non-oral health issues. He also explains in this interview how treating bad breath with a swish of mouthwash isn’t going to really solve the problem, and helps us connect the dots between acidity/alkalinity in the body and your teeth, why you really need to get mercury fillings out of the body, why fluoride is just a bandaid and he avoids it, what sleep apnea has to do with dental health and the one tool you need for oral care. Watch his interview here. https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dentist-tips-alkaline-body. Oh and definitely subscribe to get WellBe announcements and new content weekly
For daily inspiration and information follow @getwelllbe on Instagram. :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
When Courtney Maiorino was officially diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2012, she was prescribed steroids and immunosuppressants — and told that she’d be on the drugs for the rest of her life. This felt wrong to her, but her symptoms were too serious and her fear too great for her to refuse the drugs, and so she took them.
But after years of side effects and an inner sense that she could feel better than she did, she sought out holistic ways to treat her Crohn’s disease, and, through years of ups and downs and pushback from doctors, eventually found a lifestyle that allowed her to live with neither Crohn’s symptoms, nor medications.
Watch the video version of Courtney's amazing story here http://bit.ly/2CzxOyN including what drugs she had been on, what her symptoms had been, and most importantly the tools she used to heal.
For daily inspiration and information, follow @getwellbe on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Dr. Maya Shetreat was first inspired to go into the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of how the mind affects our health and resistance to disease) by a documentary — but it wasn’t until she had a firsthand health scare with her own son that no doctors had answers for but ultimately was caused by a food he regularly ate, that she made it her mission to educate people about the gut-brain-immune system connection. Today, the pediatric neurologist i.e. brain doctor for kids, and author of the book The Dirt Cure helps treat children by looking at food and the microbiome, rather than writing a prescription.
From ADHD to OCD to seizure disorders to autism, Dr. Maya troubleshoots with diet and gut health to heal children without medication, or if temporary medication is needed, she works to get them off as soon as possible. Listen to learn about her son's amazing recovery, how our obsession with being “sterile” has made us less healthy, why touching a subway pole won’t give you the good kind of bacteria you want, exactly how clean your fruits and vegetables should ideally be, and why nature and dirt is so profoundly important to strong gut health, immunity and brain health.
Watch the video version of the interview here http://bit.ly/2J2tDwU
For daily inspiration and information, follow @getwellbe on Instagram www.instagram.com/getwellbe :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
From the time she was a child, Dana Lee Williamowsky remembers experiencing chronic migraines. When the migraine symptoms would come on, she would be confined to a dark room while her head throbbed and she lost vision from the pain. She was desperate for anything that would bring migraine relief. At age 13, she saw a specialist who put her on migraine medication. She ended up remaining on the migraine medication until age 32. At 32 she decided she needed to get off of it. Part of her inspiration was her mother being diagnosed with nonsmokers lung cancer. She was an artist, and had been around toxic paint chemicals most of her life. Within 10 months of diagnosis, she was dead.
Around the time of her mother's death, Dana had a horrible back injury playing golf. She began seeing various orthopedic specialists and underwent 5 different surgeries on her back, hip and groin: none of them having any relief from the pain and causing other issues. It was a major life moment in which she knew she needed to take drastic action to reclaim her health. She decided to get chemicals out of her home and her life, heal her back pain, get off her migraine medication and finally get rid of her Migraines. Listen to Dana's amazing story to hear how she overcome all of these obstacles, the integrative therapies that finally did the trick and how all of this changed her career path as well. And find more inspiring stories at https://getwellbe.com/
In the August + September 2018 WellBe Wrap-up we covered a number of big news stories that dropped, as well as a few studies that have big implications for our health. Here are the top 8 that we thought you needed to know to protect yourself and your family, and which show some big moments in the wellness and integrative health movement.
- Major pediatrician group, The American Academy of Pediatrics, issued a statement warning of harmful effects of plastic in kids’ food.
- A jury awarded $289 million in damages to Dewayne Johnson in historic verdict. Johnson claimed that his terminal cancer was caused by Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer.
- Two new studies ranked different sports based on their impact on longevity and mental health. The winners both surprised us and clued us into the power of community.
- New research shows a link between estrogen and migraines, which is a big break in the puzzle surrounding the root cause of migraines.
- Plant-based meal options at hospitals are now the law in California, and a new study shows that healthy meal delivery post-discharge from a hospital helps reduce 30-day hospital readmissions.
- A top breast cancer doctor and the chief medical officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was exposed for failing to report millions of dollars from pharmaceutical companies. He then resigned.
- The EPA has been busy undoing regulations that protect the environment (and our health), including weakening regulations of coal-fired power plants, relaxing requirements for dealing with methane leaks, and re-assessing the use of asbestos. But an appeals court overturned the EPA’s denial to halt the use of a toxic chemical on food crops.
- The FDA approved the first ever digital app to be marketed as a contraceptive birth control method.
You can read this whole wrap-up with links to the studies https://getwellbe.com/guides/august-2018-news-wrap-up and you'll want to become a WellBe Insider while you're there to get our latest content, special offers and announcements weekly!
Oh and you definitely want to follow @getwellbe on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe. :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Latham Thomas is a maternity lifestyle maven, celebrity doula and the founder of Mama Glow, a destination for hip expectant and new moms to explore optimal well being and celebrate pregnancy and motherhood.
After her own birth experience with her son brought to light the lack of holistic pregnancy options in the traditional healthcare system, she was driven to found Mama Glow, which provides doula services and other support for moms-to-be.
Adrienne sat down with Latham to discuss what exactly doulas do, their proven effectiveness, why they are underutilized in the conventional healthcare system as well as what a holistic pregnancy actually entails and why it's important to find doctors who practice in a holistic way, fertility and infertility, birth control, prenatal yoga, and challenges within the healthcare system to have a holistic pregnancy and delivery.
Watch the video version of this interview here https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/latham-thomas-doula-services-during-holistic-pregnancy
For daily inspiration and information follow @getwellbe on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe ! :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
When Alisa Vitti started college at Johns Hopkins University, she didn’t just gain the “Freshman 15,” she put on 60 pounds. Her acne went from mild, teenage breakouts to full-blown cystic acne and she developed severe insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It wasn’t just the transition and stress of starting something new that triggered these issues— she was dealing with endocrine issues that led to her only getting her period six times between the ages of 12 and 22.
After seven years of trying to get a diagnosis, she realized she had to figure something out herself. She found a journal of obstetrics and gynecology in the school library, which led her to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Listen to her remarkable story of how she reversed her PCOS and then decided to found Flo Living and write her book WomanCode.
In this interview Vitti discusses a range of topics related to women’s health, including: Why PMS shouldn’t be a joke, why your period while taking the pill really isn’t a period, how hormonal birth control affects future fertility, how being on the pill covers up pre-existing conditions, the alarming rise of precocious puberty, her favorite online resource to avoid harmful chemicals, the importance of addressing hormonal issues when you’re young, how meal timing affects the endocrine system, what your period blood can tell you, her non-negotiables for her health, what to do for each phase of your cycle, and why she wrote “WomanCode.”
You can also watch the video version of this interview here https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/alisa-vitti-hormones-pcos
For daily inspiration and information, follow @getwellbe on Instagram. http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe :)
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
60-70 Million Americans experience heartburn and acid reflux on a weekly basis. When people come to see Dr. Jonathan Aviv complaining of a hoarse throat or allergy-like symptoms, they’re often perplexed when he returns with his diagnosis: acid reflux.
But the ear, nose, and throat doctor and clinical professor of otolaryngology at Mr. Sinai says that misinformation about acid reflux is abundant and that it’s far more common and potentially serious than you might think. On top of that, the traditional “solutions” we turn to (we’re looking at you, TUMS) aren’t solutions at all. In fact, the ultimate solution comes down to — you guessed it — diet and lifestyle.
We learned so much from Dr. Aviv about this growing and common issue and what to do about it, we know you will too! Watch the video version of this interview herehttps://getwellbe.com/changemakers/dr-jonathan-aviv-acid-reflux and while you're there, be sure to sign up to become a WellBe Insider and be the first to receive our latest content, big announcements and special offers!
Oh and you probably want to follow us for daily inspiration and information on Instagram too :) http://www.instagram.com/getwellbe
xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Just before Nitika Chopra was diagnosed with psoriasis at age 10, while her family still thought it might be eczema, she remembers her uncle saying: “I really hope it’s not psoriasis, because if it is, her life is really going to be affected by it.” That moment was a premonition of what was to come, of the 15 years she would spend battling the crippling disease, of the additional diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis that came when she was in college, the pain was so bad that sometimes she couldn’t dress herself. But it was also a challenge that Nitika would take up later in her life, overcoming both external and internal challenges to straddle the line between healthcare and wellness and find a true path to health. Hear her inspiring story here and how functional medicine played a role in her reduction of symptoms, and when she realized she needed medication for some time before she could tackle full healing. Watch the video version of this interview here https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/nitika-chopra-psoriasis%20 and while you're there subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest content when we release it, recommendations, event invitations and much more.
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xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Christina Sfakianos went from feeling fit and energized to noticing she was sluggish and unfocused. Her regular GP doctor tested her for Lyme, but missed the positive test result. She said age was to blame — Christina was 35 at the time. Her health worsened.
At one point she didn’t even realize she’d cut herself until she was bleeding into her daughter’s dinner (that was from the nerve damage). A few twists and devastating turns over the next several years turns sent this mother of two to the ER as her body began to shut down.
Finally after many unsuccessful doctors and conventional treatments, she found a Lyme specialist at the Johns Hopkins Medicine Lyme Disease Research Center who was able to do more accurate testing, and she found an integrative practitioner in New York City who was finally able to help Christina send her Chronic Lyme into remission. This is the audio version of the filmed interview, you can watch it here https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/lyme-disease-aging - while you're there, subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest content sent directly to you.
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xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
A lot of studies and news stories come out everyday that are related to wellness and healthcare and the industries that touch them, some of which have a huge impact on our health. It's a lot to digest (pun intended). We decided to start making The WellBe Wrap-up in July 2017 as a monthly (or bi-monthly when news is slower in the summer) written piece for our readers.
Our readers told us they wanted to have it read to them by Adrienne as a podcast episode, and we listened. So here you go, get all the important health and wellness news and research from June and July 2018 right here in less than 18 minutes. To read some of the studies and other things we reference, read the article here on our site! https://getwellbe.com/guides/july-2018-news-wrap-up
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When Lauren Bongiorno was seven, her mom began noticing that something seemed off. Lauren was constantly thirsty, going to the bathroom upwards of 10 times a night; she was cranky, a departure from her normal happy self; and she was inexplicably losing weight. A visit to the hospital left her with the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, setting off a years-long journey of learning to manage the disease she calls a “24/7 job,” and finding an unexpected career path in the process.
After subsisting on sugar-free Jell-O in the hospital for a week, seven-year-old Lauren was discharged. The new diagnosis was a lot to handle for her and her family, but what was even more unnerving was the lack of guidance the doctors gave them. Her doctor offered insulin as the only tool to help her manage the disease, telling her, “you can eat whatever you want, just give yourself a shot for your carbs.” The nutritionist she was referred to didn’t help much either. Says Lauren, “They taught me how to read a label, and that was about it.” Watch how Lauren took her disease into her own hands and saw amazing improvements when she did. Her success even inspired her to become a diabetic health coach and yoga instructor.
If you're more visually inclined, you can watch the video version of Lauren's story here. https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/lauren-bongiorno-type-1-diabetes
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xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Gerard Mullin, MD is the associate professor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, a renowned integrative gastroenterology and nutrition expert and the author of “The Gut Balance Revolution”. I sat down with Dr. Mullin to talk about the role of the gut microbiome in overall health, the amazing research that has emerged in the past decade about it, and the various factors that have led to a host of gut problems in many Americans today.
We talked about the difference between prebiotics and probiotics and why and how to get both, how to optimize your overall gut microbiome health, the impact of artificial sweeteners and antibiotics on the gut, the connection between obesity and the gut, the difference between goat vs. sheep vs. cow dairy on the human body, the concerns with fish and wine and the wellness routine that keeps him healthy, seeing patients and writing books. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review The WellBe podcast if you like this episode!
This is the audio version of an interview filmed in Baltimore, Maryland. If you’re more visually inclined, you can watch it here! https://getwellbe.com/changemakers/antibiotics-obesity
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xx Adrienne & Team WellBe
Imagine suffering from range of ailments that totally controlled your childhood and then having a psychotic breakdown at 18 that led to institutionalization. For Ally Hilfiger, now in her 30s, that was the reality of the bulk of her childhood. When she was 7, Hilfiger was bitten by a tick, but not diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease until 19.
For all those years in between, she had to deal with severe fatigue, joint pain, difficulty retaining information, fainting spells, shooting pains, migraines, and serious anxiety attacks. No one could figure out what was causing her physical and neurological complications. Finally her decreasing ability to process information and retrieve words increased her anxiety and led to a two-month psychotic episode.
Desperate, her dad, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, had her taken to a mental institution. Listen to her unbelievable story as she climbs her way out from inpatient psychiatric ward to healing from Chronic Lyme. In 2016, she wrote her memoir, “Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me” and is now dedicated to educating the public on chronic Lyme disease.
Watch the filmed interview here! https://getwellbe.com/inspiration/ally-hilfiger-chronic-lyme#full
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