The Integrative Health Podcast with Dr. Jen

True integrative medicine is not about adding a few supplements to a conventional treatment plan. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. John Trowbridge to discuss what more than four decades of clinical experience have taught him about chronic illness, functional diagnostics, and root-cause care. 

Dr. Trowbridge explains why physicians must keep asking “why” long after a diagnosis is made, how gut dysfunction, yeast overgrowth, parasites, toxins, mitochondrial stress, and cellular membrane damage may contribute to complex symptoms, and why personalized medicine cannot be reduced to a one-size-fits-all protocol. 

They also e...

If you have mast cell symptoms and constantly feel stuck in fight or flight, the connection may be more physical than you realize. In Part 2 of this three-part solo series, Dr. Jen explains how mast cells and the nervous system communicate with each other, creating a feedback loop that can drive histamine release, anxiety, poor sleep, palpitations, hypervigilance, inflammation, and increased sensitivity to everyday triggers.

She breaks down how stress signaling through CRH and the autonomic nervous system can influence mast cell behavior, why mast cell mediators can further stimulate nearby nerves, and how mold exposure and...

Your microbiome starts shaping health from the very beginning of life. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Tiny Health founder Cheryl Sew Hoy about how birth mode, breastfeeding, antibiotics, diet, and parental gut health can influence an infant’s developing microbiome and potentially affect immune function later in life. Cheryl explains why babies need a very different microbial balance than adults, the importance of bifidobacteria during infancy, and how low levels of beneficial bacteria may allow less desirable microbes to take over. They also explore adult gut diversity, butyrate production, Akkermansia, fiber intake, carnivore and vegan diets, and wh...

Why are thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, and certain chronic illnesses becoming more common? In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. David Brownstein about iodine deficiency, thyroid health, environmental toxins, natural hormone therapy, and the limitations of symptom-focused medicine. Dr. Brownstein shares how his father’s dramatic improvement with thyroid and testosterone treatment changed the course of his medical career, eventually leading him to investigate iodine’s role throughout the body. They discuss how bromide and fluoride may interfere with iodine, why iodized salt may not provide enough for every tissue, how iodine status can be asse...

Cannabis is often discussed as either a miracle remedy or a dangerous drug, but the reality is far more nuanced. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with naturopathic doctor and cannabinoid researcher Dr. Michelle Sexton about the endocannabinoid system, medical cannabis, chronic pain, sleep, inflammation, menopause, and opioid reduction. They explore why dose, age, product quality, delivery method, and THC potency all matter, how cannabis differs from CBD, and why modern high-potency products are not the same as the cannabis used decades ago. Dr. Sexton also shares practical guidance on starting low, avoiding unnecessary exposure during brain development and...

In this solo episode, Dr. Jen introduces mast cells and mast cell activation syndrome, also known as MCAS. She explains that mast cells are protective immune cells found wherever the body meets the outside environment, including the skin, gut, airways, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system. When these cells detect danger, they release histamine, tryptase, cytokines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other mediators. When that response becomes excessive or inappropriate, symptoms may appear across multiple systems, including rashes, food reactions, reflux, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, dizziness, palpitations, congestion, and POTS-like symptoms. Dr. Jen also explains why the goal should not...

Vitamin K is often treated as a single nutrient, but its different forms may support very different functions throughout the body. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with biochemist and independent researcher Pat Theut about the distinctions between K1, MK-4, and MK-7 and their potential roles in blood clotting, calcium regulation, bone strength, cardiovascular health, brain aging, and athletic performance. They explore how vitamin K works alongside vitamin D and magnesium, why calcium supplementation may not provide the benefits many people expect, and how gut health, fermented foods, medications, and modern farming practices may influence vitamin K status. This...

Coffee has been linked to lower mortality, better liver health, reduced metabolic risk, and potential protection for the brain—but that does not mean every coffee drink is healthy. In this solo episode, Dr. Jen breaks down recent coffee and caffeine recommendations, explains the difference between filtered coffee, espresso, decaf, and sugary coffee drinks, and explores how caffeine may affect cortisol, sleep, hydration, inflammation, and hormone health. She also shares how she prepares her own coffee, why women should avoid replacing breakfast with caffeine, and what to look for when choosing organic, mold-tested coffee. This episode helps you move be...

Millions of people are told their thyroid labs are "normal" even though they continue to struggle with fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, depression, and hormone imbalances. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Daryl Turner to discuss why conventional thyroid testing often misses subclinical thyroid dysfunction and how his patented Thyroflex System measures thyroid function at the cellular level. They explore Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, reverse T3, DNA and RNA interventions, iodine, adrenal health, and why symptoms—not just lab values—should guide treatment. This conversation challenges conventional thyroid care while offering a fascinating look at emerging appr...

What happens when a physician's clinical judgment conflicts with institutional policy? In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. John Humiston to discuss his journey from conventional family medicine into integrative care, his philosophy of treating root causes rather than symptoms, and the events that ultimately led to the suspension of his medical license after issuing vaccine exemptions based on individualized patient assessments. Their conversation explores the evolving relationship between medicine, patient autonomy, informed consent, physician free speech, and the importance of maintaining integrity when making difficult clinical decisions. Regardless of where listeners stand on these issues, this...

What if chronic pain isn’t caused by aging—but by tissues that never fully healed? In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with osteopathic physician Dr. David Nebbeling to explore how osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), prolotherapy, neurotherapy, and regenerative medicine help the body repair itself instead of simply masking symptoms. They discuss why structure and function are inseparable, how scars and the nervous system can become hidden pain generators, and why many patients continue to hurt even after surgery or injections. From ligament healing to platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, and the philosophy behind osteopathic medicine, this conversation high...

When most people think about hormone balance, they think about estrogen. But according to pharmacist and hormone expert Carol Petersen, progesterone may be the hormone women need most—and the one most often overlooked. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Carol to discuss the critical role progesterone plays in perimenopause, menopause, PMS, heavy menstrual bleeding, fertility, sleep, mood, and nervous system health. They explore why progesterone deficiency often begins long before menopause, how chronic stress impacts hormone production, and why many women are being undertreated or improperly balanced with hormone therapy. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on...

Tick-borne illnesses are becoming more common across the United States, and many families are unsure how concerned they should be. In this solo episode, Dr. Jen breaks down what you need to know about Lyme disease, Alpha-Gal Syndrome, Powassan virus, and practical tick prevention strategies. She shares the latest concerns surrounding tick-borne infections, explains why immune health plays a critical role in prevention and recovery, and offers actionable tips for protecting yourself and your family. Most importantly, Dr. Jen encourages listeners to approach these risks with preparation and knowledge rather than fear, emphasizing the importance of building a resilient...

What if the biggest problem in healthcare isn’t a lack of treatments—but a lack of tools? In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Eric Born, President of the International College of Integrative Medicine (ICIM), to discuss why conventional medicine often struggles with chronic disease and how integrative medicine offers a more complete path forward. They explore root-cause medicine, gut health, food sensitivities, toxins, chelation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, regenerative medicine, and the importance of treating the whole person. Dr. Born also shares the history and mission of ICIM, a community of forward-thinking practitioners dedicated to helping pati...

Regenerative medicine is not just about treating pain, it is about helping the body remember how to heal. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Dr. Ann Auburn about osteopathic manipulative medicine, craniosacral therapy, prolotherapy, PRP, and natural aesthetic treatments that support healing from the inside out. They discuss how structural imbalances can create chronic pain, why ligaments and fascia matter, how regenerative injections stimulate repair, and how PRP can be used for skin rejuvenation without synthetic fillers. This conversation offers a practical look at natural tools for pain, movement, aging, and whole-body resilience. 

Dr. Ann Auburn, D...

Biomagnetism may sound unusual at first, but Dr. Luis Garcia believes it is one of the missing tools for restoring balance in a stressed, toxic, and EMF-heavy world. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Dr. Garcia about how strategic pairs of magnets may help support homeostasis, pH balance, inflammation, detoxification, and cellular energy. They discuss how magnetic fields interact with the body, why modern environments may deplete our natural magnetic charge, and how biomagnetism differs from grounding, magnetic jewelry, and other frequency-based tools. This conversation offers a fascinating look at energy medicine, magnetism, and the body’s innate ab...

Autoimmune disease often starts long before symptoms become obvious, and advanced testing may help uncover the hidden triggers driving inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, and chronic illness. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Rubina Vojdani of Immunosciences Lab about how viruses like EBV, HHV-6, SARS-CoV-2, and Lyme-related infections can contribute to immune dysregulation, molecular mimicry, neuroinflammation, and autoimmune patterns. They discuss why conventional screening may miss key clues, how advanced panels can help identify root causes, and why monitoring markers over time can empower both practitioners and patients to intervene earlier and more precisely. 

Rubina Vojdani is t...

Precision medicine is changing the future of women’s health by helping clinicians move beyond labels and uncover the true root causes driving symptoms. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, co-founder of IntellxxDNA, to explore how actionable genomics can personalize care for fertility, menopause, ADHD, autism, cognitive health, and chronic illness. They discuss how genetics influence oxidative stress, inflammation, estrogen metabolism, sleep, neurotransmitters, and nutrient pathways, and why understanding someone’s unique biology allows for more targeted interventions instead of endless trial and error. This conversation offers a fascinating look at how genomics and epig...

Algae is often overlooked, but it may be one of the most powerful tools for supporting energy, detoxification, and cellular health. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Catharine Arnston, PhD, founder of ENERGYbits, to unpack the science behind spirulina and chlorella and why these ancient organisms are gaining attention in modern health. They explore how algae supports mitochondrial function, reduces oxidative stress through compounds like superoxide dismutase (SOD), and helps the body manage toxins and nutrient deficiencies. Catharine also explains the key differences between spirulina and chlorella, how each impacts the body, and how to incorporate algae...

Thiamine may be one of the most overlooked nutrients in modern health, yet it plays a critical role in energy production, nervous system regulation, and mitochondrial function. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with wellness educator Bonnie Thiele to unpack the science behind vitamin B1 and why deficiencies may be far more common than most people realize. They explore the connection between thiamine and dysautonomia, fatigue, gut health, Parkinson’s disease, pregnancy complications, and chronic stress, while also breaking down the confusing world of thiamine supplements and derivatives. This conversation offers a fascinating look at how one nutrient ca...

Detox is often misunderstood as a quick fix, but true detoxification is a process that depends on your body’s ability to safely release and eliminate toxins. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Jeff Hoyt, founder of Zeolite Labs, to break down how toxins accumulate, why the body stores them in fat, and how internal stress, infections, and environmental exposures all contribute to toxic overload. They explore the difference between toxins and toxicants, why many detox approaches backfire, and how binders like zeolite can support a more efficient, less stressful detox process. This conversation offers a deeper un...

GLP-1 medications and peptides are transforming weight loss and metabolic health, but most people are using them incorrectly. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Russell Van Maele to break down the right way to use GLP-1s and peptide therapies for long-term health, not just short-term weight loss. They explore why rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss and metabolic decline, the critical role of hydration, protein intake, and resistance training, and how to use growth hormone secretagogues and peptide stacks safely and effectively. This conversation also dives into the risks of unregulated peptides and...

What if inflammation and autoimmune conditions aren’t problems to suppress, but signals that the body is struggling to repair? In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. J. Russell Jaffe, a pioneer in integrative medicine, to explore a fundamentally different lens on chronic illness. Drawing from decades of experience in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics, Dr. Jaffe explains why inflammation reflects a “repair deficit,” how chronic stress and elevated cortisol disrupt immune function, and why modern medicine often misses the deeper drivers of disease. The conversation also dives into environmental toxins, emotional trauma, and lifestyle patterns that quietl...

Vaccine policy, public health messaging, and medical freedom are rapidly shifting, leaving many parents and practitioners feeling uncertain about what to trust. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Peter McCullough to unpack recent changes in vaccine policy, the role of federal and state-level decisions, and the growing conversation around informed consent and risk stratification. They discuss measles outbreaks, treatment approaches, and the importance of individualized care, while also exploring concerns around vaccine safety, scheduling, and long-term outcomes. This conversation offers a broader perspective on navigating health decisions in a complex and evolving medical landscape.

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Play is often seen as something children do, but it may be one of the most powerful tools for learning, creativity, and leadership at any age. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor to explore how play, storytelling, and empathy shape the way we learn, connect, and lead. Drawing from her work in education, museums, and organizational leadership, Dr. Diane shares how integrating multicultural literature with STEM and hands-on experiences can unlock deeper engagement and resilience. They also discuss the concept of “Playful Leadership” and why fostering curiosity, joy, and creativity is essential not only...

Weight loss has become a race toward smaller numbers on the scale, but in the process, many people are unknowingly damaging their metabolism. In this solo episode, Dr. Jen breaks down why fast weight loss, extreme dieting, and even GLP-1 medications can lead to muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, and long-term weight regain if not used correctly. She shares a practical, muscle-first framework focused on protein intake, resistance training, metabolic health, and strategic supplementation, helping you shift from chasing weight loss to building true body composition and long-term resilience.

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Weight loss isn’t just about discipline — it’s about biology, hormones, and healing the systems that regulate metabolism. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Adrian Gledhill, former Biggest Loser contestant and metabolic health coach, to unpack the hidden costs of extreme dieting, reality TV weight loss, and gastric bypass surgery. Adrian shares her decades-long journey through metabolic damage, reactive hypoglycemia, adrenal dysfunction, nutrient depletion, and the emotional toll of public weight regain. Together, they explore carnivore nutrition, mold illness, hormone and thyroid support, GLP-1 therapy, and why sustainable health requires cellular and hormonal repair — not caloric punishme...

Eczema can feel relentless for families — the itching, sleepless nights, food fears, and endless prescriptions that never seem to solve the problem. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Andra McHugh, founder of Eczema Kids and mom of four, to explore a root-cause approach to childhood eczema that goes far beyond symptom management. They unpack why eczema is not just a skin issue but a gut, immune, and detoxification imbalance, how dysbiosis and environmental exposures set the stage for flares, and why restrictive diets and steroid cycles often miss the bigger picture. Andra shares practical, real-life strategies families ca...

Seed oils are not just a modern cooking swap — they represent a dramatic shift in how we fuel our bodies. In this episode, Dr. Jen sits down with Steven Rofrano, founder of Ancient Crunch, to explore how vegetable oils moved from industrial products to dietary staples and why that change may be contributing to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance. They discuss the historical roots of seed oil adoption, the metabolic consequences of unstable omega-6 fats, the importance of ancestral food preparation methods like nixtamalization, and practical ways to reduce seed oil exposure without feeling restricted or extreme.

Hormone balance is not a supplement problem, but a foundation problem. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Dr. Serena Russum and Dr. Heidi Codino, The Hormone Heroines, about how food quality, fiber, protein, sleep, stress, detox pathways, and endocrine disruptors can quietly derail hormones from puberty through menopause, and why ‘quick fix’ hormone plans can backfire when the basics are missing.

Dr. Jen speaks with the Hormone Heroines,  Dr. Serena Russum and Dr. Heidi Codino, about hormone balance, nutrition foundations, endocrine disruptors, sleep, stress, gut health, and why lifestyle comes before supplements or hormone therapy.

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