What do we know about using specific probiotics for different health conditions? And is it time to move away from broad-spectrum probiotics and into condition-specific strains? With an explosion of new research on probiotics and a recent change in nomenclature, it’s easy to get confused. In this episode of New Frontiers, I lean on Dr. Noelle Patno’s extensive research knowledge to tease apart the science on probiotics. Dr. Patno holds a PhD in Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition and has designed and monitored clinical trials on microbiome and immune health. Together, we dive into the latest evidence on therapeutic uses of specific probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, for women’s health and other conditions. Dr. Patno also shares excellent pearls on dosing, duration, delivery methods and antibiotic resistance. Many thanks to Noelle and the team at Metagenics for always leading the way and researching interventions. Appreciate you listening, sharing, and commenting, and always, thanks for subscribing.  - DrKF

Sergey Young's Tech Innovations for Longevity and Biological Age Reversal

The therapeutic value of curcumin makes it a fabulous recommendation as both a foundational and medicinal supplement. And since finding a preparation that is bioavailable is key to efficacy, affordability, and patient compliance, I’m excited to have Dr. Sonia Malani (from Integrative Therapeutics) here to talk about the latest advances in curcumin deliverability. 
Dr. Malani breaks down the progress of curcumin deliverability and the keys to bioavailability in a way that is simple to understand and easy to pass on to our patients in order to help them move away from the less effective brands that are currently lining the shelves of local markets so they get the therapeutic influence we are hoping for. Lots to learn, let me know what think in this great interview sponsored by Integrative Therapeutics! ~DrKF

Advances in Curcumin Bioavailability for Improved Absorption in Patients

Imagine accurately determining the status of your skin’s age to tell whether it is younger or older than your chronological age, and then use this technology to determine whether expensive anti-aging serums and creams are effective, or actually causing more harm than good. Amazing, right?

This is precisely the technology Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira and her fellow stem cell biologists at OneSkin created and you will find this interview fascinating on so many levels – I know I sure did! After creating their skin clock, the OneSkin team discovered peptide OS1, which targets senescent cells, one of the root mechanisms of aging, and is being shown in current studies to have a positive effect on hydration, firmness, elasticity, and the skin barrier.  

Listen as Dr. Reis explains the science and ongoing studies exploring the possible benefits of OS1 for the skin microbiome, hair loss, inflammation, and overall health.

Disrupting Anti-Aging Skincare by Targeting Senescent Cells

As we gain insight into microbiome impact on our health, we need accurate tests that tell us not only what and how much is there, but also which metabolites, or post-biotics created that can have downstream effects. So today I’m thrilled to welcome the brilliant Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle, PhD, biochemist, CEO, and co-founder of Ixcela, to discuss their fingerstick gut microbiome test. We’ll discuss the 11 key markers, the value of a blood sample over urine, and the impact of endurance sports and chronic stress on health markers as revealed by the test.

We also chat about my own results, how impressed I was by the insight provided – and how they clearly identified changes I could make to improve my markers. Listen and take notes -- I know I did! ~DrKF

Measuring Metabolites of Dysbiosis and Gut Function to Create Targeted Interventions

I'm excited to welcome Dr. Barry Sears, the renowned creator of the Zone Diet and a pillar in our field. Dr. Sears has not only authored bestsellers but has also made incredibly important contributions to clinical practice which we still rely on today: He is, for instance, the scientist who put the use of the AA:EPA ratio on the map. Dr. Sears provides elegant and accessible explanations of the unassailable importance of diet in addressing inflammation, metabolic health, chronic disease, and longevity, and the role that fatty acids play in that milieu. And while he and I might not agree that polyphenols need to be absorbed intact for benefit - there's plenty of evidence that their postbiotic products are very important players, especially in their interactions with the epigenome - his concerns about the chemical structure of highly concentrated fish oil supplements (with the potential for isomerization, as he argues) has opened my eyes and is important, without doubt. I think the jury is still out as to whether there is a negative influence of isomerization in highly concentrated EPA and DHA, but it's worthy of further investigation and (importantly) is another factor in the argument for a whole-food approach. - DrKF


Check out the show notes at <a href="https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/">https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/</a> for all the relevant links and resources.

Guest information
<ul>
 <li>Dr. Barry Sears, President, Inflammation Research Foundation and CEO of Zone Labs.Inc.</li>
 <li>Email: bsears@drsears.com</li>
 <li>Website: <a href="http://www.drsears.com/">http://www.drsears.com/</a></li>
 <li>Zone Living Website: <a href="http://www.zoneliving.com/">http://www.zoneliving.com/</a></li>
 <li>Inflammation Research Foundation: <a href="http://www.inflammationresearchfoundation.org/">http://www.inflammationresearchfoundation.org/</a></li>
</ul>

Thank you to our Sponsors
<ul>
 <li>Diamond</li>
 <li>Rupa Health - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yc26f6sj">https://tinyurl.com/yc26f6sj</a></li>
 <li>Biotics Research - <a href="https://www.bioticsresearch.com/">https://www.bioticsresearch.com/</a></li>
 <li>Integrative Therapeutics - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/47sfktzb">https://tinyurl.com/47sfktzb</a></li>
 <li>Gold</li>
 <li>OneSkin - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycxvz5we">https://tinyurl.com/ycxvz5we</a></li>
 <li>Mira - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/3pj4t338">https://tinyurl.com/3pj4t338</a></li>
 <li>TimeLine Nutrition - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4bsdfczz">https://tinyurl.com/4bsdfczz</a></li>
 <li>Midroll</li>
 <li>Practice Better - Start your free trial and save 20% for 4 months on any paid plan with code KF20 - <a href="https://sites.practicebetter.io/new-frontiers-in-functional-medicine">https://sites.practicebetter.io/new-frontiers-in-functional-medicine</a></li>
</ul>

Show Notes
<ul>
 <li>Dietary Control of Inflammation and Resolution - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/vadkjzf7">https://tinyurl.com/vadkjzf7</a></li>
 <li>The STRENGTH trial - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/282cz27m">https://tinyurl.com/282cz27m</a></li>
 <li>OMEMI Trial - <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33191772/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33191772/</a></li>
 <li>REDUCE-IT Study - <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01492361">https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01492361</a></li>
 <li>ASCEND Study - <a href="https://ascend.medsci.ox.ac.uk">https://ascend.medsci.ox.ac.uk</a></li>
 <li>VITAL Study - <a href="https://www.vitalstudy.org/">https://www.vitalstudy.org/</a></li>
 <li>Longitudinal Study - Multi-omics Biological Age Estimation and Its Correlation with Wellness and Disease Phenotypes - <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2p85yx5f">https://tinyurl.com/2p85yx5f</a></li>
</ul>

Barry Sears (of Zone Diet Fame) on Lifetime Metabolic Health and Sourcing Omega-3s

As a former Olympian and current Iron Man triathlete, (he qualified for the world championship in Hawaii this year!) Dr. Keith McCormick was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis at 45 years old. His own healing journey lead him to become a world expert on treating osteoporosis from a functional and integrative perspective. His 2008 book, The Whole Body Approach to Treating Osteoporosis, is useful for patient and clinician alike. This podcast is a goldmine of pearls for clinicians treating individuals with bone loss. Topics covered include underlying pathogenic mechanisms, laboratory evaluations and treatments-pharmaceutical and natural. Health savvy patients will find Dr. McCormick’s content useful.

Episode 5: Osteoporosis- Metabolic Disease of the Bone with Dr. Keith McCormick

According to Dr. Bob Hedaya, it’s malpractice NOT to use functional medicine when practicing psychiatry. ALL of the nodes on the Functional Medicine Matrix [gastrointestinal, endocrine, immune, toxicity, nutritional status and especially psychological, social and spiritual] influence mental health, mental function and brain function. The bottom line is, a good functional approach yields better health, less medicine.  In this case-focused inspiring podcast, hear about Dr. Hedaya’s years of clinical experience in using functional medicine to address tough psychiatric conditions.

Episode 8: Functional Psychiatry with Bob Hedaya, MD

The Art of Medicine: A Soul-Stirring Chat with Sidney Baker, MD

Episode 15: The Art of Medicine: A Soul-Stirring Chat with Sidney Baker, MD

Enjoy a solid overview of our Methylation Diet and LIfestyle. Hear about the program and how it's working out in our clinic. Check out www.drkarafitzgerald.com for more info on our eBook!

Methylation Diet and Lifestyle DrKF and Romilly Hodges, CNS

Welcome to New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity & Epigenetics™ where I interview the best minds in functional medicine to discuss the science and research behind medicine, longevity, epigenetics, and so much more. Expect thought-provoking ideas, new research, lots of clinical pearls for practitioners, and step-change information for clinicians and patients. Join us! ~DrKF  

Copyright © 2025 by KF Education and Consulting, LLC
All Rights Reserved

Barry Sears (of Zone Diet Fame) on Lifetime Metabolic Health and Sourcing Omega-3s

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald - Functional Med & Longevity

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