HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Kara Siedman
| ResBiotic

In this episode of the Tables Talk Podcast, Dr. Melody Hartzler sits down with Kara Siedman, RD, CDCES, Director of Partnerships at ResBiotic, to examine how microbiome-driven physiology intersects with hormonal transitions during perimenopause and menopause.

As estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and decline, women experience predictable shifts in metabolic regulation, immune signaling, and inflammatory burden. Increasing evidence suggests these changes are tightly linked to alterations in gut microbial diversity, intestinal barrier integrity, and microbial metabolite production. This conversation explores the gut–hormone axis through a mechanistic lens, highlighting how microbiome dysfunction may amplify symptoms such as blood sugar instability, weight gain, estrogen dominance, gastrointestinal distress, and genitourinary changes.

Kara draws on clinical experience and emerging research to clarify why many hormonally driven symptoms occur in the absence of overt disease on conventional testing. The episode emphasizes perimenopause as a critical intervention window—one in which targeted dietary, lifestyle, and microbiome-supportive strategies may meaningfully influence long-term cardiometabolic and immune health.

• Hormonal decline during perimenopause is closely linked to reduced microbiome diversity and resilience
• Estrogen loss impacts intestinal barrier function, inflammation, and metabolic regulation
• The estrobolome plays a central role in estrogen metabolism and symptom expression
• Microbiome-targeted interventions may reduce cardiometabolic risk during menopause
• Diet, fiber diversity, and precision biotics are foundational tools for supporting this transition

• Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations in perimenopause
• Bidirectional signaling between endocrine function and the microbiome
• Declining microbial diversity and reduced short-chain fatty acid production

• Metabolic endotoxemia and LPS-driven inflammation
• Microbiome contributions to blood sugar dysregulation and weight gain
• Links between dysbiosis, immune activation, and chronic disease risk

• Beta-glucuronidase activity and estrogen deconjugation
• Microbial reactivation of estrogen and clinical implications
• Estrogen dominance, elimination pathways, and gut health

• Estrogen-dependent Lactobacillus depletion
• Increased risk of UTIs and yeast infections
• Gut–vaginal microbiome crosstalk and clinical considerations

• Mediterranean-style dietary patterns and...

HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Mariane Rizkallah
| | DrMariane.com

Acne isn’t just a surface-level issue—it’s a signal from the body that something deeper is out of balance. In this episode we are joined by fellow pharmacist Dr. Mariane Rizkallah to explore how functional medicine offers lasting solutions for acne and chronic inflammation. Dr. Mariane shares her personal journey of overcoming persistent hormonal acne, her transition from traditional pharmacy to integrative healing, and the foundational steps to support whole-body wellness.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why acne is more than just a skin issue
• Dr. Mariane personal healing journey from acne, gut issues, and antidepressant side effects
• The importance of gut health and the mind-body connection in skin healing
• Testing vs. guessing: when functional lab testing can make all the difference
• The dangers of DIY supplementing (like DIM and Vitex) without hormone testing
• How to safely support the liver and detoxification pathways
• Why sleep, stress, and emotional health matter for clearer skin
• The Clear Skin Blueprint: Dr. Mariane step-by-step program for healing from within
• Bonus: A sneak peek at her Product Acne Guide and recipe book

Get 50% off The Clear Skin Blueprint Program with code MELODY at checkout

HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Lindsey Dalton
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Megan Morrison
| Book Appointment

• Define what the circadian rhythm is
• Dive deep into sunlight and why it’s so crucial for our health and wellbeing
• Introduce the topic of malillumination.
• Explain why it’s so important to have sun exposure first thing in the morning
• Share other ways besides light to regulate the circadian rhythm
• Detail what other health conditions have been linked to circadian rhythm disruption

Vitamin D / K2

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60 Softgels

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HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Lindsey Dalton
| | Book Appointment

• Explain how the immune system works
• Pinpoint a type of medication many Americans take that hinders the immune system
• Discuss various lifestyle factors that affect the immune system
• Describe specific diet modifications that can support the immune system
• Pinpoint the effect sugar has on the immune system
• Highlight the importance of good gut health in proper immune function
• Share various supplements that can boost the function of the immune system

Vitamin D / K2

Liquid - 1 fl oz

Purchase Today

Supplement Immune Bundle

Mito Recharge, Innate Immune Support, Vitamin C 1000

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HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

We are so excited to bring you this podcast episode, in which we sit down with Dr. Sam Madera, a naturopath who practices integrative and functional medicine.

• Explain what organic acids are
• Describe what an organic acids test can tell us about the functioning of our bodies
• Discuss the difference between an organic acids test and a diagnostic test
• Pinpoint the key markers for energy and mitochondrial processes
• Reveal who can benefit from an organic acids test
• Share how organic acids test can complement genetic testing
• Chat about how the test results can help determine dietary changes to make

Links:

https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com/tests/organic-acids-profile

We are so excited to bring you this podcast episode where we got to sit down with Jessica Pizano, leading nutrition specialist in the country for mast cell activation disorders.

• describe what a mast cell is and how activation of mast cells can cause problems in the body
• elaborate on the symptoms someone with a mast cell disorder may have
• discuss why it can be difficult to make a diagnosis
• reveal why environment and mind/body are important aspects in care
• share the medications and supplements that can be used to manage mast cell activation
• chat about how anxiety and depression can be linked to mast cell activation
• define metabolomics and how it is different from nutritional genomics

Links:

• clinicalparadigms.com
• Facebook
• Instagram

HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Lauren Castle
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Aparna Trikha
| | Book Appointment

In this episode, two of our pharmacists discuss how they were led to functional medicine through their own health journeys.

We discuss how:

• understanding the root cause of conditions can lead to healing
• if you aren’t getting the answers you want from conventional doctors, functional medicine can be a good next step
• every journey is unique and some people will see results sooner than others; patience is key
• trusting our bodies and the process is super important when pursuing optimal health
• the mind and body are connected and working on improving mental health can be pivotal in improving overall health

HOST
Melody Hartzler
| | Book Appointment

AROUND THE TABLE
Alex Keller
Full Script | | Full Bio

In this episode, we got to sit down with Dr. Alex Keller. Dr. Alex Keller is a practicing naturopathic doctor in Ottawa, Canada, and the Medical Director at Fullscript. He is a graduate of the University of Ottawa with an HBSc in Health Sciences and Psychology and completed a degree in naturopathic medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

• Discuss supplement quality and the questions you should be asking before you buy a product
• Explain why it’s important to think about supplements from an ingredient-based approach and less from a product-based approach
• Reveal the number of supplements that people should take to minimize pill burden and maximize success
• Explore two options Fullscript offers to increase supplement compliance
• Share the gaps that most people should be looking at when they're talking with their provider about supplements
• Elaborate on why supplements are not one-size-fits-all
• Chat about the risks of buying supplements from e-commerce distributors

• Fullscript
• Podcast on Supplements - Choosing Quality Supplements