In this episode, Kylie sits down with Dr. Mahmood Ghannoum - the world's leading microbiome researcher and the scientist who coined the term "mycobiome" - to talk about the side of gut health that most people have never heard of: the fungi living in your gut right now and why they matter just as much as your bacteria.

Dr. Ghannoum has published over 450 peer-reviewed papers, has more than 23,000 citations in scientific literature and has received over 25 million in NIH funding. He is in the top 1% of the most cited scientists in the world.

In this episode, they break down the truth about Candida - why having it is completely normal, what actually causes it to become a problem and why the goal is never elimination but balance. They also get into digestive plaque, the gut-depression connection and what a genuinely useful gut test should be looking at.

This episode is especially for anyone who has been told they have Candida and felt confused or overwhelmed - or who suspects something is going on in their gut that nobody has fully explained yet.

In this episode we cover:

• What the mycobiome is and why it has been largely ignored until now
• Why Candida is a normal part of over 50% of people's gut flora - and when it becomes a problem
• The biggest causes of Candida overgrowth including antibiotics, diet and vitamin deficiencies
• Why sugar feeds Candida directly and how overgrowth drives sugar cravings
• How fiber supports the good bacteria that keep Candida under control - and why eliminating it makes things worse
• The vitamins most commonly deficient in people with gut imbalances - D3, A, B3 and C
• What digestive plaque is, how bacteria and fungi form it together and what breaks it down
• Why garlic and apple cider vinegar are among the most researched foods for gut fungal balance
• Why pistachios are one of the best snacks for rebalancing your microbiome - backed by published science
• What intermittent fasting actually does for gut health - and why it only works alongside a good diet
• How gut imbalance is directly linked to depression and mental health - and what the latest research shows
• What to look for in a gut test and why testing for fungi alongside bacteria changes the picture entirely

Because an imbalanced gut does not just affect your digestion.

It affects your energy, your skin, your hormones, your mood and your mental health. When your microbiome is in balance - bacteria and fungi working together - your body has the foundation it needs to function properly.

This episode will help you understand what may really be going on beneath the surface - and where to start.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction: who is Dr. Mahmood Ghannoum and why the fungi in your gut matters as much as bacteria

01:15 What is the mycobiome? The term Dr. Ghannoum created and why it changed gut health science

01:31 Why the focus has always been on bacteria - and what we've been missing by ignoring fungi

02:44 Candida explained - why over 50% of people have it and why that's completely normal

03:11 When does Candida become a problem? The difference between normal presence and overgrowth

04:30 The gut ecosystem analogy - why balance is everything and why eliminating Candida entirely is the wrong goal

05:51 Why some doctors over-diagnose Candida and what a good gut test should actually look for

06:50 The biggest causes of Candida overgrowth - antibiotics, diet and what to do about it

08:13 Sugar and Candida - why refined sugar is the biggest dietary driver o

Welcome to the Within Nutrition Podcast.

There is so much noise in the health world that often sounds so convincing but doesn't actually work for you so we're here to breakdown the science, challenge the common myths and share the strategies that truly make a difference for you.

In this episode, Kylie sits down with Karen "ZuZu" Armes, holistic health educator and founder of Lilly Fields Retreat Center in Georgia, to explore how nutrition and lifestyle medicine can reverse chronic conditions that conventional medicine often considers permanent.

ZuZu shares her extraordinary personal story of healing epilepsy through food within months of starting, later reversing scoliosis through myofascial therapy, chiropractic care and core strengthening - and how these experiences shaped her lifelong mission to help others understand the body's innate ability to heal itself.

They also dive into the most common gut health issues she sees at her retreat, the truth about bloating, why probiotics aren't always the answer, how mold and EMFs may be silently affecting your health and the simple daily habits - starting with what you drink in the morning that can begin to shift everything.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• ZuZu's personal journey reversing epilepsy, scoliosis and arthritis through nutrition
• Why your body is designed to heal - and how cell reproduction means it's never too late to start
• The real reasons behind bloating: Candida, SIBO, and SIMO explained simply
• Why probiotics can sometimes make gut issues worse
• The importance of minerals - especially iodine and sodium - for energy, thyroid health and hydration
• Morning routines from the retreat: water, lemon, baking soda and why hydrating first thing matters
• Mold toxicity: how to identify it, remove it from your home and detox your body
• Why EMFs may be exacerbating Candida, mold and other chronic health issues
• Grains, dairy, and sugar - when to eliminate and when to reintroduce
• What to expect at the Lilly Fields Retreat and how to get started from home

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and disclaimer from Kylie
01:47 ZuZu's personal story: reversing epilepsy with food
04:10 How understanding the body changes everything
05:02 GABA, B vitamins, and the gut-brain connection
06:49 Reversing scoliosis: myofascial therapy and mindset
09:38 The gut is everything: what ZuZu sees most
10:45 Candida overgrowth: signs, causes, and solutions
14:00 SIBO and SIMO: bacteria in the wrong place
16:15 Why fiber and probiotics can backfire with SIBO
18:42 What happens in five to eight days at a retreat
20:44 Simple things to do at home: water first
21:02 Minerals and hydration: what you're really missing
24:16 Hibiscus, sodium, potassium, and iodine
25:47 Why minerals matter more than supplements
28:30 Mold toxicity: home detection and diet
33:17 How to remove mold and support your body's detox
38:13 EMFs, dirty electricity, and their effect on health
43:03 Chlorella and EMF protection
44:02 About Lilly Fields Retreat and Holistic Health Educators
47:32 The number one tip for more energy: address Candida
49:08 When can grains and dairy come back?
49:47 Seed grains: quinoa, millet, buckwheat, and almond bread
51:16 Closing thoughts: start today, your body is designed to heal

About the Guest

Karen "ZuZu" Armes is a holistic health educator, therapeutic nutritionist and founder of Lilly Fields Retreat Center in Georgia. After reversing her own epilepsy, scoliosis and arthritis using food and integrative therapies, ZuZu has spent decades helping families understand how the body heals itself. She runs Holistic Health Educators, an online education platform training therapeutic nutritionists, and recently launched Ask ZuZu - a closed AI sys

Welcome to the Within Nutrition Podcast.

There is so much noise in the health world that often sounds so convincing but doesn't actually work for you so we're here to breakdown the science, challenge the common myths and share the strategies that truly make a difference for you.

In this episode, Kylie shares three often-overlooked reasons why your energy may feel lower than it should - even if you’re eating well and trying to take care of yourself.

She breaks down why carbs are not the enemy, how poor digestion can drain energy instead of creating it and why under-hydration is one of the most common but underestimated reasons women feel tired, foggy and flat.

This episode is especially for women who feel like low energy has become “normal” - and want to understand what may really be going on under the surface.

In this episode, Kylie covers:

• Why carbs are not the enemy - and how the type, timing and context matter most
• Why fruit is not something to fear, even if you’re thinking about blood sugar
• How poor carb tolerance may be a sign your metabolism needs more support
• Why low-carb can backfire for many women, especially long term
• How digestion may be taking more energy than it’s giving you
• Signs your gut and digestive system may need more support
• The impact of low stomach acid, stress, poor enzyme activity and gut imbalances
• Why hydration is essential for energy, focus, digestion and cellular function
• Why minerals may matter just as much as water intake
• Simple shifts to start supporting your energy right away

We dive into three key areas that are often overlooked when it comes to energy: how your body is handling carbohydrates, whether your digestion is actually supporting you (or draining you) and why hydration plays a much bigger role than most people realize.

Because low energy isn’t something you just have to accept.

When your body is properly supported, food should give you energy, your digestion should feel easy and your energy should feel steady throughout the day.

This episode will help you understand what may be happening under the surface - and where to start.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: why energy matters
02:03 Carbs, blood sugar and energy
05:52 Why fruit is not the enemy
09:02 When carbs are a sign something deeper needs support
12:41 Why digestion may be draining your energy
15:12 Low stomach acid, stress and enzyme support
18:43 Gut imbalances and nutrient absorption
21:23 Why hydration matters for energy
24:10 Water, minerals and practical hydration tips
27:10 Final recap

Meet Kylie

Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, is a globally recognized dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She helps women worldwide improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through personalized, biology-aligned nutrition and lifestyle support.

Credentials:
B.S. in Physiological Sciences, UCLA
M.S. in Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center
Registered Dietitian, Columbia University

Welcome to the Within Nutrition Podcast.

There is so much noise in the health world that often sounds so convincing but doesn't actually work for you so we're here to breakdown the science, challenge the common myths and share the strategies that truly make a difference for you.

In this episode, Kylie sits down with award-winning gut health expert Nora Cavani, Founder and CEO of Alba Health, to explore how the gut microbiome shapes everything from eczema, allergies, hormones and skin health to long-term disease risk in both adults and children.

Nora shares her personal story of severe eczema and hormone imbalances, how antibiotics and microbiome disruption played a major role in her health journey and why the future of medicine may lie in supporting our microbes before chronic symptoms take hold.

They also discuss the biggest myths in gut health, why elimination diets can backfire, how children’s microbiomes are shaped in early life and what parents can do to support their child’s gut health in practical, sustainable ways.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Nora’s personal journey with eczema, allergies and microbiome healing
• Why gut microbiome diversity matters for skin, hormones, immunity and metabolism
• The “invisible extinction” of missing microbes in modern life
• Why gluten- and dairy-free diets may help short term but not fix the root issue
• Why food sensitivity tests are often misleading
• The biggest misconceptions around probiotics and fiber
• How a child’s microbiome may influence eczema, allergies and health later in life
• The biggest disruptors to a baby’s gut microbiome
• Simple ways parents can support gut health in children without fear or restriction

Timestamps

00:50 Nora’s eczema and health journey

04:37 Gut microbiome, inflammation and chronic disease

06:39 The “invisible extinction” of missing microbes

11:36 Why gut health matters before symptoms get worse

12:15 Gluten, dairy and the elimination trap

17:13 Why Nora doesn’t recommend IgG testing

19:36 Adult gut health myths

20:00 Probiotics and gut health

22:00 Skin symptoms and inflammation

24:01 Added fiber in processed foods

27:28 Why the child microbiome matters

30:27 How the child microbiome predicts later health

32:03 How the microbiome develops from birth

34:49 Biggest disruptors to a child’s microbiome

38:13 What Nora’s research in children is showing

44:10 How parents can support a child’s microbiome

46:04 Adding instead of restricting

50:25 How Alba Health works

53:00 Eczema case study

About the Guest

Nora Cavani is an award-winning gut health expert, molecular biologist and Founder & CEO of Alba Health - a science-led company focused on preventing chronic disease through early gut health support. After overcoming her own severe health challenges, Nora now works at the forefront of microbiome research, helping families understand how gut health shapes immunity, metabolism and long-term wellbeing.

https://albahealth.com/withinnutrition

https://albahealth.com/withinnutritionquiz

https://www.instagram.com/albahealth.co/

https://www.instagram.com/noracavani/

Meet Kylie

Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, is a globally recognized dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She helps women worldwide improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through personalized, biology-aligned nutrition

Welcome to the Within Nutrition Podcast.

There is so much noise in the health world that often sounds so convincing but doesn't actually work for you so we're here to breakdown the science, challenge the common myths and share the strategies that truly make a difference for you.

Today’s episode is about bridging the gap between knowledge and application - taking what you know about health and actually turning it into consistent action.

Because the truth is, most people don’t struggle with information.
They struggle with follow-through.

You know what supports your gut, hormones and energy.
But staying consistent with those habits can feel much harder in real life.

In this episode, I walk you through The 6 C’s of Success - a framework that helps you move from intention to action so you can finally see real results in your body and mind.

This episode is especially for you if you:

• Set health goals but struggle to stick with them
• Feel stuck in cycles of motivation - burnout - starting over
• Want to rebuild confidence and trust in yourself

Inside the episode we cover how to:

• Stop getting stuck in the “information loop”
• Use the three-minute rule to overcome excuses
• Build consistency without relying on motivation
• Strengthen self-trust and confidence
• Create habits that actually support your long-term health

The goal isn’t perfection - it’s creating momentum and sustainable change.

Once you understand these six principles, you’ll find it much easier to follow through on the habits that support your gut health, hormone balance and energy.

Meet Kylie

Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, is a globally recognized dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She helps women worldwide improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through personalized, biology-aligned nutrition and lifestyle support.

Credentials:
B.S. in Physiological Sciences, UCLA
M.S. in Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center
Registered Dietitian, Columbia University

In this episode, Kylie sits down with fertility expert Kirsten Karchmer to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of hormone balance and fertility - energy.

They explore common misinformation women receive about their cycles, why tracking and quick fixes often miss the root cause and how lifestyle factors like stress, digestion, sleep and nervous system health directly shape reproductive outcomes.

From coffee to mindset, inflammation and the emotional side of fertility, this conversation offers a grounded and empowering perspective on supporting your body before and during your fertility journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The biggest myth women are told about hormones, periods and fertility
• Why birth control doesn’t “regulate” your cycle and what true hormone balance really means
• The role energy plays in fertility, hormones and overall health
• The three core foundations that support fertility
• A nuanced conversation on coffee and lifestyle habits during a fertility journey
• How stress, mindset and belief patterns can impact hormone health more than many realize
• Practical ways to support your body without overwhelm - focusing on the right changes for your physiology
• Why small improvements in your cycle are powerful signs of deeper healing happening beneath the surface

Timestamps
02:00 The origin story & women’s health awakening
06:00 The biggest hormone myth women are told
08:00 Fertility tracking & data overload
10:45 Where fertility empowerment really starts
12:00 The 3 energy pillars that influence fertility
15:30 Why digestion matters more than diet perfection
20:30 Coffee & fertility: should women quit?
28:30 Supplements vs behaviours
31:30 Mindset, resistance & behaviour change
34:30 Small wins & fertility momentum
46:00 Endometriosis & fertility
52:00 Inflammation, lifestyle & the nervous system

About the Guest

Kirsten Karchmer is a women’s health expert, reproductive wellness specialist, and health-tech entrepreneur dedicated to improving menstrual health and fertility outcomes. Over more than two decades, she has worked with over 10,000 women through one of North America’s leading fertility wellness clinics, integrating conventional reproductive medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and behavior-based lifestyle approaches. Kirsten is the author of Seeing Red and the founder of multiple women’s health ventures focused on translating personal health data into practical, actionable solutions that support better cycles, hormone balance, and reproductive health.

https://kirstenkarchmer.com/

Meet Kylie

Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, is a globally recognized dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She helps women worldwide improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through personalized, biology-aligned nutrition and lifestyle support.

Credentials:
B.S. in Physiological Sciences, UCLA
M.S. in Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center
Registered Dietitian, Columbia University

The first 1000 days of motherhood are often the hardest and also the most important for your baby’s developing body.

In this episode, Kylie sits down with Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder and CEO of Tiny Health, for a grounded, science-backed conversation about how early gut development shapes immune, skin, and metabolic health both short-term and long-term.

Cheryl is a mom of three and reviews infant microbiome lab results daily. In this conversation, she shares what she’s consistently seeing make the biggest difference during early life, and how small, realistic changes can support a baby’s gut without adding pressure or overwhelm.

Rather than focusing on doing everything “perfectly,” this episode explores how parents can support gut health in practical, doable ways during pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood.

You’ll hear about:

• Why the first 1000 days are such a critical window for immune and metabolic health
• Simple food and lifestyle choices that support a healthy microbiome
• How probiotics and prebiotics actually work in infants
• The role of outside exposure and environment, even for families living in cities
• Whether testing your baby’s microbiome can be helpful
• How dads and the household environment play a role in a baby’s gut health

If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or raising young children, this episode offers a clearer, calmer framework for understanding baby gut health and what actually matters most early on.

Timestamps

0:00 Why the first 1000 days matter for long-term health
3:30 Cheryl’s story and what led her to Tiny Health
8:45 How early gut development supports immune health
14:15 Why small changes can make a big difference
18:30 How dads and the household environment contribute
25:15 Nature, outside exposure, and microbial diversity
31:00 Probiotics, prebiotics, and common misconceptions
37:30 Why “kill” approaches often miss the bigger picture
42:30 Can gut health be supported later in life?
48:45 Learn more about Tiny Health

About the Guest

Cheryl Sew Hoy is the founder and CEO of Tiny Health, a science-backed microbiome testing company focused on helping families understand and support gut health from the first 1000 days onward.

A mom of three and serial entrepreneur, Cheryl founded Tiny Health after seeing firsthand how early gut imbalances can shape long-term health. Her work centers on replacing guesswork with clarity and helping parents make informed, biology-aligned decisions that support immune resilience over time.

Website: https://www.tinyhealth.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiny.health/

Ready to go deeper?

Apply for 1:1 coaching with Within Nutrition:
https://aproaihffa9.typeform.com/to/JkpTBEVm

Meet Kylie

Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, is a globally recognized dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She helps women worldwide improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through personalized, biology-aligned nutrition and lifestyle support.

Credentials:
B.S. in Physiological Sciences, UCLA
M.S. in Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center
Registered Dietitian, Columbia University

If you struggle to fall asleep, wake up during the night, or feel like your sleep is light and unrefreshing, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Kylie sits down with Dr. Meredith Broderick, a Stanford-trained neurologist and sleep medicine physician, to explore why sleep issues are rarely about willpower or bedtime routines alone.

This conversation looks at sleep through a deeper lens, focusing on rhythm, stress, and the signals your body uses to decide when it is safe to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Rather than offering quick fixes or rigid rules, this episode helps you understand what might be quietly disrupting your sleep, even when you feel like you are doing “all the right things.”

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why sleep problems show up as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or light sleep
• The difference between sleep habits and sleep signals
• How stress and mental load affect sleep quality, not just sleep onset
• Why some popular sleep tools help some people and backfire for others
• The connection between sleep, hormones, gut health, and energy

If sleep has been feeling harder than it should, this episode will help you make sense of why.

Timestamps:
0:00 Why sleep issues are rarely just about bedtime
2:52 Wake time, rhythm, and sleep consistency
6:59 Mouth breathing, sleep quality, and airway health
15:15 Supplements and sleep, what to be cautious with
22:36 Light, darkness, and sleep depth
26:48 Dinner timing and night wakings
32:45 Caffeine timing and disrupted sleep
38:53 Stress, mental load, and why your brain won’t switch off

About the Guest

Dr. Meredith Broderick is a Stanford-trained neurologist and sleep medicine physician who blends conventional sleep medicine with a holistic, evidence-based approach. She works with patients experiencing insomnia, night wakings, poor sleep quality, and sleep apnea.

Website: https://www.soundsleepguru.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundsleepguru/

Ready to go deeper?
Apply for 1:1 coaching: https://aproaihffa9.typeform.com/to/JkpTBEVm

Meet Kylie

Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, is a globally recognized dietitian and founder of Within Nutrition. She helps women worldwide improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through personalized, biology-aligned nutrition and lifestyle support.

Credentials:
B.S. in Physiological Sciences, UCLA
M.S. in Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center
Registered Dietitian, Columbia University