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Functional Health Radio

By: Dr. Kristin Hieshetter
  • Summary

  • Let's awaken your true potential and optimize the most incredible system you'll ever own—your body. We'll explore the most effective functional health strategies for solving today's most common chronic health issues. Welcome to Functional Health Radio!
    2023
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Episodes
  • Episode #23: The Dangers of Excitotoxins in Our Food Protecting Brain Health
    Jun 21 2024
    About the Guest(s):

    Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is a highly respected figure in the realm of functional health, demonstrated extensively through her dedication to educating others about the significance of comprehensive healthcare. Although her full professional history is not discussed, it is clear from the transcript that she is passionate about helping people understand their health better. Dr. Hieshetter appears to be knowledgeable about topics like excitotoxins and their impact on the human body, advocating for natural and preventative approaches to health.

    Episode Summary:

    In the latest enlightening episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter dives deep into the startling downward trend of life expectancy in the United States and the rising chronic diseases among children. Initiating the conversation with disturbing healthcare statistics, she pivots to discuss the overlooked dangers of excitotoxins in our diet, linking them to neurodegenerative diseases. The episode is rich with alarming yet vital information, balancing medical insights with actionable health tips.

    Dr. Hieshetter references the worrying trend of decreasing life expectancy in the U.S. and contrasts it with the exorbitant healthcare spending, posing the question of what can be done differently. She introduces Dr. Russell Blaylock's research on excitotoxins, pulling lessons from historical examples such as the Chamorro Indians of Guam to underscore the dangers of dietary neurotoxins like glutamate and aspartate. The episode artfully blends anecdotes with science to underline the proposition that current dietary habits could pose a risk to neurological health, emphasizing the importance of magnesium and antioxidants for brain protection.

    Key Takeaways:
    • U.S. life expectancy has fallen, and chronic diseases in children are at unprecedented rates, suggesting an urgent need for a healthcare paradigm shift.
    • Excitotoxins like glutamate can build up to toxic levels in the brain, with prolonged exposure leading to devastating neurological diseases.
    • Early exposure to excitotoxins has been linked to neurodegeneration, even decades later, elevating the importance of cutting these toxins from our diets.
    • Dietary antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C, E, glutathione, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids are emphasized as crucial for brain health and protection.
    • The role of excitotoxins in neurodegenerative conditions and the pivotal importance of dietary changes for prevention and recovery are central themes.
    Notable Quotes:
    • "We are walking around in the most amazing, intelligent, responsive, adapting, and aware system in the world, the human body."
    • "Excitotoxins can sometimes be linked to those disease processes in the body."
    • "The clinical symptoms of most neurodegenerative diseases don't show up until 80% to 90% of specific cells in the spinal cord or specific regions of the brain are dead or damaged."
    • "Magnesium is your brain's most powerful protector."
    • "Eat your fresh fruits and vegetables, they're critical for your survival."
    Resources:

    The resources mentioned include:

    • Dr. Russell Blaylock's book "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills"
    • Studies cited by Dr. Kristin Hieshetter: The works of scientists George Spencer, Leonard Kerland, and more from the 1950s to 1980s on the Chamorro Indians and excitotoxins.
    • Functional Health Mastery

    For a comprehensive understanding of the ways to protect your brain from excitotoxins and the power of a natural diet, listen to the full episode. Don't forget to tune in to Functional Health Radio for more discussions that can revolutionize your approach to health and well-being.

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    34 mins
  • Episode #22: Creating Healthy Habits for Long-Term Progress and Success
    Jun 14 2024
    Episode Summary:

    Welcome to another compelling episode of Functional Health Radio, where our proficient host, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter, delves into the pressing issues surrounding America's declining health statistics despite high healthcare expenditures. The show begins with an alarming revelation: life expectancy in the USA has dropped significantly, with children now facing unprecedented rates of chronic diseases. Dr. Hieshetter passionately discusses the complexities of health behaviors and the struggles in maintaining consistent health investments.

    In this episode, Dr. Hieshetter brings to light the importance of habits in personal healthcare management. She references James Clear's "Atomic Habits" to elucidate how small, consistent changes can lead to significant health improvements. The discussion focuses on how we can leverage habit stacking to replace unproductive behaviors with beneficial routines, promoting a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.

    Key topics include the concept of habit loops, the distinction between effective and ineffective habits, and practical strategies for habit formation. Dr. Hieshetter aptly ties the discussion to concepts of identity, motivation, and long-term behavior modification, emphasizing the importance of internal rewards and consistent action toward a healthier self.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Declining life expectancy in the US highlights the need for better health behaviors and investments in individual healthcare.
    • Habit stacking, as explained by James Clear in "Atomic Habits," can facilitate long-lasting health improvements.
    • Successful habit change involves making good habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying and breaking bad habits by making them invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying.
    • Adopting new health behaviors requires a deep change, not only in routines but also in one's identity as it relates to health and wellness.
    • The goal in personal health is not just to achieve temporary milestones but to embrace a system that supports continual progress and self-improvement.
    Notable Quotes:

    "But this is not a healthy habit. We've got to make that packaged food difficult and unattractive." "Connect with your kids instead of training on the TV. Read books. Create that vision board." "The trick is to fall in love with the process, not the product." "If you fall in love with the process, not the product, you don't have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy." "Every time you engage in the new habit and skip the old habit, give yourself a double bonus."

    Resources:
    • "Atomic Habits" by James Clear (available on Amazon and audiobook platforms)
    • Functional Health Mastery – A free group for doctors and healthcare providers

    Don't miss out on the valuable insights discussed in this episode of Functional Health Radio. Tune in to grasp the full spectrum of advice on habit formation and identity building for optimal health. Stay engaged with us as we continue to deliver transformative discussions on functional health and wellness.

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    34 mins
  • Episode #21: Addressing Brain Drain: The Impact of Grains on Mental Health
    Jun 7 2024
    About the Guest(s):

    Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is recognized as a forward-thinking expert in the field of functional health. In her pursuit to better understand the intricacies of human health and wellness, she has become a notable figure in healthcare, empowering individuals to realize their full potential. Although specific details about her professional history and achievements are not provided in the transcript, Dr. Hieshetter's extensive knowledge is reflected in her informative discourse on functional health, particularly concerning brain health and the effects of diet on chronic diseases.

    Episode Summary:

    In this compelling episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delivers a powerful narrative discussing the alarming decline in life expectancy in the United States, correlating it with the high prevalence of chronic illnesses in the population. She raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the current healthcare spending and explores potential strategies for enhancing vitality and wellness.

    Dr. Hieshetter emphasizes the importance of constructing a lifestyle that promotes brain health, urging listeners to consider the detrimental impact of grain consumption. She adeptly weaves scientific evidence into the narrative, making a strong case for a grain-free diet as a path toward improved cognitive functions and overall health. She supports her arguments with credible studies and statistics that are sure to captivate the audience's attention and potentially inspire life-altering dietary changes.

    Key Takeaways:
    • The life expectancy in the United States has been declining, and this is paralleled by rising rates of chronic illnesses in children and adults.
    • A considerable portion of healthcare spending is seemingly ineffective in addressing heart disease, cancer, and overall life expectancy issues.
    • Dr. Hieshetter strongly advocates for a grain-free diet to avoid 'brain drain' and chronic inflammation which she links to an array of health problems, including cognitive decline.
    • Clinical studies have demonstrated the connection between grain consumption and mental health issues such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and even schizophrenia.
    • Proactive management of diet and nutritional supplementation, particularly omega fatty acids, can make a significant difference in brain health and development.
    Notable Quotes:
    • “We are walking around in the most amazing, intelligent, responsive, adapting, and aware system in the world, the human body.”
    • “Brain drain is also known as what I like to call grain brain.”
    • “When the gut leaks, the brain leaks.”
    • “These anti-anxiety meds…increased 45% in little girls, 37% in little boys. More than 30% of adult females are taking an anti-anxiety med.”
    • “Depressed individuals are 230% more likely to have celiac disease.”
    Resources:
    • David Perlmutter's book "Grain Brain"
    • William Davis's book "Undoctored"
    • Robert Lustig's book "The Hacking of the American Mind"
    • Articles referenced during the show are not linked but include works from Pediatrics, Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, Archives of Internal Medicine, and the Journal of Pain Medicine News.
    • Functional Health Mastery

    Join us for the full episode of Functional Health Radio for a deep dive with Dr. Kristin Hieshetter to unearth the complexities of our declining health spans and learn practical steps to reclaim our cognitive vitality. Don't miss out on this knowledgeable journey, and make sure to tune in for more enlightening episodes that aim to transform your understanding of functional health.

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    33 mins

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