Holistic Health Bites

10 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Andrea Nicholson, BCHN®

From crime scene investigator to insulin investigator, I bring my investigative skills to identify and solve insulin resistance, pre-diabetes and diabetes conditions that contribute to low energy, stubborn weight, and hypertension, naturally. Be sure to subscribe so you'll always know when new episodes are released. Looking for some personalized guidance, insights into your body, and to have confidence in all of the choices you're making with your health? Learn more about how you and I can work together to address your unique health challenges by scheduling a free call here: https://healthylifewithandrea.com/free-call

Mental Health and Metabolic Health
#104
Last Monday at 7:00 AM

Dr. Christina Bjorndal shares her journey into naturopathic medicine after a suicide attempt left her hospitalized, revealing how conventional medications failed to fully treat her mental health issues.  She emphasizes treating patients holistically by addressing their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, not just symptoms, explaining the four pillars' interconnected roles in health.

Simple changes like reducing sugar, coffee and carbonation intake make a difference by supporting the body's natural functions, while eating nutrient-dense whole foods better nourishes the physical, mental and gut microbiome.  Mindfulness practices like recognizing unhelpful thoughts, relaxing into stillness and rephrasing narratives cultivate pr...


Glucose-Ketone Index
#103
04/08/2024

On this episode of the Holistic Health Bites podcast, Functional Nutritionist Andrea Nicholson explains the Glucose-Ketone Index. 

The Glucose-Ketone Index (GKI) presents a valuable tool for monitoring metabolic health by measuring the ratio of blood sugar to blood ketones, offering insights into one's energy production mechanisms. This index underscores the misconception that the body needs dietary carbohydrates to maintain adequate blood sugar levels, pointing out the body's innate ability to produce glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. It highlights the processes of gluconeogenesis, which allows the body to create new glucose, thus negating the necessity to consume carbohydrates for e...


DIET for Wellness - How Thoughts Shape Your Health
#102
04/01/2024

In this episode of the Holistic Health Bites podcast, holistic nutritionist Thais Harris shares insights on integrating self-love into the journey toward ideal health. Thais emphasizes the critical role of self-love, distinguishing it as a practice that nurtures self-esteem and acceptance through mindfulness and present-moment awareness. Her approach underscores the importance of valuing oneself without conditions, a principle that has guided her both personally and professionally.


Through her work with women and cancer patients, Thais discovered how a deepened sense of self-love, extending beyond mere mindfulness, can significantly enhance health outcomes. She shares intimate...


Freedom from Cancer
#101
03/25/2024

Today I welcome special guest Katrina Foe to discuss the importance of self-advocacy in health matters, the need for testing to identify underlying health issues, and the impact of environmental factors on health. She also emphasized the role of genetics and lifestyle choices in cancer prevention and treatment.

The conversation focused on the importance of nutrition, particularly in relation to cancer treatment. She also touched upon the challenges and misconceptions related to transitioning to a ketogenic lifestyle. Towards the end, she discussed the importance of understanding cancer causes and effective treatments, and the potential benefits of alternative...


Conditions Related to Insulin Resistance
#100
03/18/2024

Today marks our 100th episode, and we're diving deep into metabolic health, particularly the often-overlooked topic of insulin resistance. Studies suggest that nearly half of adults worldwide have insulin resistance, yet many remain unaware of its implications.

In this episode, I'll be rapidly covering a comprehensive list of conditions related to insulin resistance. These conditions range from those directly caused by insulin resistance to those exacerbated by it, forming a complex web of health challenges. This is NOT an exhaustive list...essentially every chronic disease or persistent condition is caused by or exacerbated by insulin resistance and...


Postpartum Metabolic Health with Dr Brandy Cummings
#99
03/11/2024

In this episode of the Holistic Health Bites podcast, functional nutritionist Andrea Nicholson hosted Dr. Brandy Cummings, a specialist in pregnancy, postpartum conditions, and the impacts of metabolic health. Dr. Brandy shared insights into the crucial role of environmental medicine in postpartum support, drawing from her personal health challenges, including a harrowing two-year battle with mold illness and its repercussions on fertility. This experience significantly shaped her approach to patient care, emphasizing the need for environmental cleanliness and the importance of metabolic health in postpartum recovery.

Dr. Brandy highlighted the significance of comprehensive preconception health optimization, advising...


Fatigue, Depression, and Anxiety with Tiffany Flaten
#98
03/04/2024

Struggling with debilitating fatigue, depression, and an unexpected thyroid cancer diagnosis, Tiffany's conventional treatment path seemed to falter, failing to bring substantive relief to her myriad of symptoms. Frustrated with traditional approaches that did little to alleviate her condition, she embarked on a transformative nutrition journey, discovering that eliminating gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy brought significant improvements. This dietary overhaul not only lessened her inflammation and mood issues but also spearheaded a healing process for her gut, something conventional medicine had failed to address.


As her health odyssey persisted, Tiffany stumbled upon the benefits...


Troubleshooting Autoimmunity with Divya Dhawan
#97
02/26/2024

On this episode, I have special guest Divya Dhawan discussing holistic health, with a particular focus on autoimmunity and its relationship with metabolic health. Divya shared her personal journey with an autoimmune disorder and her research on alternative medicine, emphasizing the importance of eating organic, seasonal, and local foods. She also discussed the challenges faced by individuals with autoimmune conditions and unexplained symptoms, the potential negative impacts of high cortisol levels on blood sugar and the risk of diabetes, and encouraged viewers not to give up on their health.

To connect with Divya:
https://www.facebook...


How Genetics and Lyme Disease Impact Metabolic Health
#96
02/19/2024

On this episode of the Holistic Health Bites podcast, my guest Wendy Hacker explains her story of battling Lyme disease for years without progress resonated deeply with many. She highlighted the transformative power of understanding your own genetic landscape. After discovering how genes influence susceptibility to infections and response to treatment, Wendy utilized genetic testing to uncover underlying factors like mold exposure and methylation issues impacting her health. By tailoring her diet, environment, and lifestyle based on this personalized roadmap, she achieved significant improvement. Importantly, Wendy emphasizes that genes are not fate, stressing the power of epigenetics to modify...


Creating a Beautiful Brain with Louise Swartswalter
#95
02/12/2024

Louise shared her personal experience with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and how she became a brain expert through holistic healing. She shared how to identify and manage distractions or obstacles that might hinder intentions or goals. They also discussed the concept of taking on the energies of others, particularly parents, and how this can impact one's sense of self. Additionally, they explored the idea of utilizing Mind Gems to influence energy fields and past relationships.

To connect with Louise:

https://www.louiseswartswalter.comhttps://www.facebook.com/LouiseSwartswalter1https://www.instagram.com/drlouiseswartswalterBrain Soul Assessment: https://www...