Optimize Paleo By Paleovalley

One of the biggest lies women have ever been told is that weight gain and hormonal havoc is inevitable as you age.    The truth is: you can stay healthy, energized and balanced regardless of your life stage.    So if you are doing all of the same things you’ve always done and yet you are… Gaining weight Suffering from low energy Experiencing mood issues  Losing muscle Or just not getting the results you used to, check out this week’s incredible podcast with women’s hormone expert and #1 National Bestselling author, Dr. Mariza Snyder about what it takes to age gracefully. Here are some of my favorite takeaways... The one food to avoid after 40 Why women gain weight even when they don’t consume sugar in perimenopause Her favorite weight loss strategy for women over 35 How to reset circadian rhythm for healthier hormones The common habit that leads to hormonal havoc The safe window for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy The risks and benefits of hormone therapy Why stress is not a "slight edge" Signs yo

We’ve all heard the benefits of melatonin for sleep, but it may surprise you to know that melatonin can also support… Brain health Mitochondrial function Circadian rhythm  Inflammation reduction And maybe even immune health.  Its impressive antioxidant potential is thought to be the reason for its many benefits, but what most people don’t know is that there are certain types of melatonin that research has shown are far more potent (in their ability to reduce oxidative stress) than others.  There are also certain supplements (hello Essential C Complex) that have been found to make melatonin even more effective in terms of its antioxidant potential.  So if you want to learn more about the best way to use melatonin to improve your health please tune into this week’s podcast with hormone expert and Director of Clinical Services at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Dr. Mona Fahoum!  (We are also offering a fun giveaway and discount you can learn more about at 30 minutes in!) Here are some of the fascinating

A 2019 study revealed many pregnant women today do not meet the recommended intakes for nutrients like:  Magnesium  Vitamin D  Vitamin E  Iron Vitamin A Which is scary given that inadequate nutrition can negatively impact baby’s development, mom’s health AND how mom feels (physically & emotionally) in her postpartum period.  This is exactly why I invited one of my favorite experts in the wellness world, the Whole30’s dietician, Stephanie Greunke, on the show to teach us all how to not only survive pregnancy and the postpartum period - but to THRIVE through it.  Here are some of the topics we dive into... The most important nutrients for pregnancy Medications that can deplete moms How to prevent morning sickness (and why it happens!) The link between nutrient deficiency, pregnancy, and mental health issues Common nutrient deficiencies in paleo dieters Her 3 favorite nutrient tests  Important foods for the first trimester Foods to focus on for the second trimester How many carbs do you really need for a

It’s not talked about nearly enough, but chronic symptoms such as nasal congestion, postnasal drip, eye swelling, runny nose, headache, and facial pain can be indicators of mold illness. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, 96% of sinusitis is due to mold and fungal overgrowth.  Which is why in this week’s podcast with my friend, mold expert (and fellow FDN practitioner), Ryan Monahan, we talk all about the many, underappreciated ways mold can negatively impact your health.  Most importantly, we talk about how to identify, diagnose and treat mold illness. Here are some of the other fascinating topics we cover…. The #1 food contaminated with mold Common symptoms that may indicate you are suffering from mold illness The real reason you get coffee jitters The healthy foods that can make mold issues worse Why and how mold is so damaging The common conditions linked to mold issues  What mycotoxins are - and why they matter The best test for determining if there is mold in your home. The biomarkers that clue you

We’ve all heard about the impressive benefits of intermittent fasting, but did you know the benefits of fasting (detox, fat burning, anti-aging, immune support) kick in at different times?  A “gut health” fast, for example, should be a little longer than one for fat burning or detox.  And if you’re a woman, there are certain times in your menstrual cycle where you may want to stop or limit fasting.  In other words - in order to experience the many benefits of fasting - you need a sound strategy.  Which is why in this week’s podcast with fasting expert Dr. Mindy Pelz, we talk all about how to create a fasting rhythm that supports your unique health goals.  Dr. Mindy is brilliant, energetic and her science-backed approach will inform and inspire you, I promise  Here are some of the topics we delve into…. The researched-backed benefits of fasting Why fasted exercise can be beneficial Why fasting helps you feel calm The 3 different reasons you should fast The anti-aging hormone released when you fast for 13 hour

Today we are all looking for simple ways to reduce stress and support overall wellness.  And while we often talk about food, in this week’s podcast with Jodi Cohen (best-selling author and founder of Vibrant Blue Oils), we take a deep dive into how essential oils can be used to support brain chemistry and overall health.  We also talk about how to shift out of STRESS mode and into relaxation mode instantly. This little-known superpower is one most of us could use now more than ever! Here are some of the other gems you’ll learn... How to know which essential oils are best for you The 5 things to balance for optimal health The best oil for reducing stress What the vagus nerve is and why it matters How to easily access the vagus nerve How to shift into rest-digest-regenerate mode instantly How to eat to absorb more nutrients when you eat How to hack a panic attack  The best oils for reducing anxiety and depression How to improve flow in the body (and why it matters) How to nose breathe to calm down Why essentia

Approximately 1 in 10 kids in the US are diagnosed with asthma, allergies or eczema. The good news is - these conditions are NOT solely the result of faulty genes and you can reverse them! Which is why this week’s podcast with head physician at Blossom Pediatrics, Dr. Gluzman, is all about helping our littles heal for good from these all-too-common conditions. Here are some of the gems we covered... The 2 ingredients you should always avoid (and ‘healthy’ foods they hide in) The common breakfast food Dr. Gluzman HATES for kids (and her favorite alternatives) The food you should eat daily to keep the doctor away Why environmental allergies can still be food related Why allergies are not normal How to get our kids to eat fermented foods The real reason our kids crave sugary foods How to get your kids to consume veggies (even greens!) Why broths and stocks are important for our kids Her favorite functional medicine tests for kids The commonly consumed food that feeds yeast Her favorite anti-yeast supplement Her

Many women today believe symptoms like… Mood swings Lumpy breasts Heavy periods Anxiety Hair loss Sleep issues ...are just part of a healthy menstrual cycle. But the truth is, though these symptoms are common, they are not normal. And they may indicate a serious, often overlooked condition, called estrogen dominance. Which is why this week’s podcast guest, hormone expert and best-selling author, Magdalena Wszelaki, teaches us all about estrogen dominance (in men and women) and provides simple steps you can take to rebalance your hormones naturally. (She also tells us how we can win a FREE copy of her new book!) Here are some of the fascinating tidbits we cover… The food that kills cancer stem cells Why a healthy gallbladder matters for hormonal health How to fast for a healthy cycle The helpful herb for heavy periods Why mouth taping can improve hormonal health Normal and not-so-normal- PMS symptoms What carrying weight around your hips says about your hormones The main cause of breast cancer in the U.S. T

It has become clear this year that immune responses to similar exposures can be wildly different. And while the reasons were once a mystery, advancements in genomics are now providing answers. In other words, we are now better able to understand why one person gets sick and another remains healthy despite similar exposures. Most importantly, we are now better able to provide targeted interventions that help people get well and stay well. And in today’s podcast, one of my dear friends and a 15 year veteran of functional medicine, Dr. Stephanie Davis, teaches us about 4 genetic markers you can monitor to assess your immune function and simple strategies for building your resilient immune system.  (This podcast goes way deeper than most conversations around immune health today, so get ready to take notes!) Here are some of the awesome tidbits you’re in for: The 2 nutrients that are critical for immune health The “healthy” food that can hamper immune health The nutrient that improves zinc absorption How to keep

Contrary to popular belief, fiber and prebiotics are not always beneficial for gut health. Nor is the paleo diet always enough to heal digestive issues. Which is why in this week’s podcast clinical researcher and best-selling author, Dr. Ruscio, breaks down common gut myths and offers practical, non-dogmatic steps we can take today to improve digestive health. Here are some of the awesome tidbits you are in for... Three steps you can take today to improve your gut The diet to start with if you still have gut issues on paleo Why your environment is more important than FOOD for gut health Why we know more fiber isn’t good for everyone Is coffee gut friendly? How to know if you should go low carb Why most gut testing is not always accurate The little-known cause of rosacea The population who may benefit from grains A simple dietary strategy that quickly restores gut health What an elemental diet is and who it can help Why you don’t need gut symptoms to have gut issues The common type of coffee that can contain

It’s no secret that poor sleep can cause irritability, decreased productivity and sugar cravings, but it may surprise you that according to sleep expert (and former Navy Seal) Dr. Kirk Parsley...  “Those who are chronically sleep deprived, those who work lifetime night shifts, chronic insomniacs and those who take sleeping pills chronically die (on average) 12 years earlier and have a higher risk of disease earlier in life.” Why?  Because sleep is literally one of the most (if not THE most) important thing you can do for your health.  So if you’re not getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night (or you have kids who aren’t great sleepers) check out this week’s incredible podcast with Doc Parsley on the importance of sleep, and the simple things you can do to get more of it.  Here are some of the fun tidbits we cover... How much sleep we actually need each night The #1 sleep disruptor The nutrient deficiency that can interfere with sleep The best sleep supplement on the market How to get your kids to sleep better T

Jumping from diet to diet, pill to pill and/or protocol to protocol without relief can be exhausting.  It’s a cycle many people (maybe even you) are trapped in today. But the truth is - in order to feel vibrant long term (which is your birthright), you need to identify the root cause(s) of YOUR suffering.  For example, breakouts can be caused by MANY things such as... Food allergies/intolerances Blood sugar/insulin imbalances Nutrient deficiencies Stress Hormonal dysfunction Gut issues Poor hygiene And more My cystic breakouts were tied to a garlic intolerance (of all things) which is why all of the other remedies I tried for YEARS (candida cleanse, lotions, microdermabrasion, face creams, etc.) didn’t help.   And why the paleo diet wasn’t enough for me to heal my skin. In other words, different people with the same symptom may need different interventions AND sometimes lab testing can be invaluable for identifying your root issues.  It was this realization that brought me to Functional Diagnostic Nutrition

Food quality is paramount, but it might surprise you to know WHEN you eat may be just as important. Why? Because light exposure profoundly impacts metabolism.  Meaning, there IS a time of day we can get away with a cheat meal and a time when even a healthy meal may not be doing our health any favors.  Tune into this week’s podcast with photobiology expert and founder of Ra Optics, Matt Maruca, to learn all about simple ways you can use light exposure to optimize (or negatively impact) your health. Here are a few of the fun facts you’re in for... The best time of day for a cheat meal A simple morning habit for healthier hormones Why light exposure may be as important as food quality The most important body part we need to expose to light The link between fish and light exposure (this is truly fascinating!) How to prevent a sunburn without sunblock Why you should ditch your sunglasses Why krill oil is different than fish oil The effect of sex on epigenetics The KEY to a long, happy life (hint: it’s not genetic

Many women suffer from hormonal imbalance that can lead to sudden and inexplicable weight gain in their late 30’s and/or early 40’s.  And while it may seem hopeless, according to triple board certified physician, author and hormone expert, Dr. Anna Cabeca, the weight gain that occurs during perimenopause and menopause is not unavoidable.  In fact, there are many simple research-backed strategies you can begin using TODAY to improve your hormonal health from the comfort of your own home.  (Strategies she has used to help her patients lose an average of 9 pounds in 16 days!) I know it sounds too good to be true, but it’s not so tune in now for all the juicy details.  Here are some of the other fascinating topics we delve into… The link between carbohydrates and healthy hormones The ideal time to stop eating every night How to identify your perfect macros How to lose 9 pounds in 16 days  How many hours women should fast each day The daily habit women over 40 need to break The most powerful hormone in our body (

Did you know experts estimate we’re exposed to THOUSANDS of toxins each day.  That’s why healthy detoxification is central to vibrant health.  And if we don’t detox, or fail to detox properly, it can result in health issues like fatigue, blood sugar dysregulation, digestive issues, sleep disturbance and much more!  Which is why I invited detox expert and #1 bestselling author of Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue, Wendy Myers, on the podcast this week to discuss the truth about heavy metals and simple ways to detox every single day!  We talk all about... The top detox food on the planet Signs that you are not detoxing well  The detox supplement that fights fatigue The main mistake most people make when they detox The link between heavy metals and fatigue, hormones and blood sugar issues Why candida can be a result of heavy metal issues The 3 heavy metal that everyone has in their body (and how to get rid of them) The 4 basics of a detox protocol The 3 tests she

I think pretty much everyone today is aware that vitamin D is critical for immune (and overall) health. In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of health issues like: Heart attack Cancer Diabetes Asthma Autoimmune disease Unfortunately, MANY people today are vitamin D deficient and don’t know it.  Not to mention the fact that vitamin D supplements are not always enough. Which is exactly why I invited Cort Christie (CEO and owner of Sperti Sunlamps) to talk all about the benefits of vitamin D and how to safely improve your levels in the comfort of your own home!  Cort has been in the therapeutic light space for over a decade and has partnered with experts like Dr. Holick (author of the Vitamin D Solution) to create the only FDA-approved at-home sun lamp that has been empirically shown to significantly raise vitamin D levels in only minutes a day! We have been using it in our home, and LOVING it! (even with my 5 year old son, Maverick!) There is no more important time to mind your v

Going gluten-free is all the rage these days for good reason. But, it’s not always easy.  So if you’ve ever struggled with questions like... How do I really know if gluten is a problem for me? How does gluten impact my gut and immune system? What are the most common hidden sources of gluten? Is going gluten free enough to heal my health issues? How do I get my family on board?  Please stop what you are doing and tune in to today’s podcast with gluten expert and creator of the Gluten Gauntlet System, Whitney Morgan! Whitney is one of my mentors, one of the most knowledgeable and discerning functional practitioners I’ve met and we take a deep dive into all things gluten and food sensitivity testing.  Here are some of the highlights... Her 3 favorite food sensitivity tests  Common signs and symptoms you are sensitive to gluten The #1 obstacle to going gluten-free (and how to overcome it) The difference between wheat sensitivity and gluten sensitivity 2 surprising sources of gluten  Why gluten sensitive folks

Today people are waking up to the fact that many diseases begin in the gut.  And while changing the foods we eat, the water we drink and taking supplements can make a world of difference for some people, it’s just not enough for everyone.  Which is why today I want to share the fascinating work of Dr. Jason Klop regarding a breakthrough gut-healing therapy called Fecal Microbiota Transplant, or FMT.  (And YES, it does involve what you think it does...) Now FMT is clearly not for everyone, but recent research and clinical experience has shown it can be INCREDIBLY beneficial for certain populations like… Autism C. Difficile IBS SIBO Crohn’s Disease Neurological Conditions such as Parkinson’s In fact, research out of Arizona State University revealed that those with autism who received FMT experienced an 80% reduction in digestive symptoms and a 40% reduction in autism-related symptoms like hyperactivity, sleep issues and cognition.  Pretty impressive, right? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Tune in now

Many of us suffer from symptoms and mental health struggles we can’t explain.  We feel anxious. We self-sabotage. We experience depression. We have illogical fears. And despite our best efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle, something still feels “off.” According to new research, this may be due to inherited family trauma.  In fact, recent research has revealed we can inherit trauma (just like we do our hair or eye color) that can cause measurable changes in our DNA for several generations.  Which means you may be feeling or behaving in a certain way, because your parents or grandparents experienced a traumatic event rather than because there is something wrong with YOU. If this idea is as liberating and fascinating for you as it was for me, please tune in to this week’s podcast with award winning author of It Didn’t Start with You, Mark Wolynn!  We discuss the science behind inherited family trauma, how to identify it and (most importantly) what you can do today to overcome it.  The stories he shares will li

Anxiety. Resentment. Sadness. Overwhelm.  Feelings so many of us are experiencing right now.  And feelings that can negatively impact our health if left unaddressed. Fortunately, there is a SIMPLE research-backed way to work through negative emotions and shift your body into relaxation mode in under 5 minutes.  It’s called tapping, or the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).   EFT has been empirically shown to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels more than talk therapy AND reduce cravings for foods like chocolate.   So if you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, sad, and want to learn about a simple way to feel more relaxed anytime, anywhere, please check out today’s podcast with co-owner of The Tapping Solution, Alex Ortner.  Here are some of the things you’ll learn: What is EFT? How to consciously shift from the stress response to relaxation response (and why it matters) How to access your full brain to make your best decisions Why tapping can rewire the brain and reduce cravings HOW to tap A fun way to tea