Managing Metabolic Health, Part 1: The Insulin Resistance Smolder, with Dr. Chrystyne Olivieri

Beyond complete & balanced- the nutrients that truly matter with Kay Stewart

In this episode, I'm joined by Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, educator with the Feed Real Institute, to discuss one of the most overlooked topics in pet health: nutritional deficiencies. Together, we explore the nutrients most commonly lacking in homemade diets, why whole foods work differently than synthetic nutrients, and how simple additions like eggs, fish, organ meats, and variety can dramatically improve health. As a functional medicine nurse practitioner, I also draw comparisons between human and canine nutrition, highlighting how many of the same deficiencies show up in both species through changes in the skin, hair, nails, immune system, and energy levels. In this episode we discuss: * Why physical exam findings can reveal nutritional deficiencies before bloodwork * The nutrients most commonly lacking in homemade diets * Why zinc, manganese, choline, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids deserve extra attention * Why eggs are one of nature's most nutrient-dense foods * The importance of liver and why variety matters more than feeding one type * Natural vs. synthetic copper and the controversy surrounding copper storage disease * Why fish may be the most powerful addition to your dog's bowl * How omega-3s support the skin, brain, joints, heart, and immune system * Why puppies have unique nutritional requirements * How the microbiome begins at birth and why early nutrition matters * Budget-friendly strategies for feeding fresh food * Why "complete and balanced" starts with nutrient density, not just a spreadsheet * Practical ways to introduce more variety into both human and canine diets Discounts: Real Dog Box is offering 10 of my listeners a $20 gift card! To enter to win, please join my newsletter [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective] and 10 winners will be chosen on 7/1/26.  Connect with Kara: * Website: rawremedieshealth.com [https://rawremedieshealth.com/] * Facebook: Raw Remedies Health [https://www.facebook.com/rawremedieshealth] * Instagram: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.instagram.com/rawremedieshealth/] * TikTok: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rawremedieshealth] * Newsletter: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective] Connect with Kay Stewart & Real Dog Box: * Website: feedreal.com [https://www.feedreal.com/], feedreal.com/courses [https://www.feedreal.com/courses], real.dog/kara [https://real.dog/box/start?aff=kara&name=Kara&avatar=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fserverless-s3-images%2FRPAprofphoto.jpg] * Email: kay@feedreal.com * Instagram: * https://www.instagram.com/feedrealmovement/ [https://www.instagram.com/feedrealmovement/] * https://www.instagram.com/feedrealsummit/ [https://www.instagram.com/feedrealsummit/] * https://www.instagram.com/realdogbox/ [https://www.instagram.com/realdogbox/] * Short Leash Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@FeedReal/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@FeedReal/podcasts] Sponsor: My Pet Carnivore Use code RAWREMEDIES for 10% off your first order www.mypetcarnivore.com [http://www.mypetcarnivore.com/] Ya’ll, definitely consider checking them out. This company is small, independently owned, high quality and extremely generous. They’re a great resource and I love their products, so I’m proud to bring them to your attention! Join the Conversation: Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow holistic pet parent or leave a review to help others find Raw Remedies Podcast!

Natural Solutions for Allergies, Ticks, and Whole-Body Wellness with Animal Herbalist Greg Tilford

In this episode, Animal Herbalist Greg Tilford shares his extensive knowledge of natural healing for animals and humans, emphasizing the importance of supporting immune health, gut microbiome, and holistic approaches to pest and allergy management in combination with selection targeted botanicals to soothe symptoms or repel pests naturally. Discover practical tips, herbal suggestions, and insights into how nature provides powerful solutions to everyday health challenges. This episode highlights how a holistic, nature-based approach can promote better health for animals and humans alike. By understanding and respecting the power of herbs, environment, and energetic health, you can create a resilient foundation for wellness. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Greg Tilford and his background in herbal medicine 02:30 - Greg’s inspiration for focusing on herbal solutions for animals 05:00 - The connection between animals' herbal use and human medicine 07:15 - The importance of supporting gut health in allergy and disease management 10:00 - How microbiome rehabilitation can address chronic health issues 12:30 - Herbal approaches for seasonal allergies in pets and humans 15:45 - Using herbs like nettle and quercetin to manage inflammation and allergies 19:00 - The impact of environmental toxins and pesticides on health 22:00 - Supporting detox pathways and reducing chemical exposure 25:00 - The role of energetic health and vibrational energy in healing 28:30 - Natural pest prevention through vibrational and energetic methods 32:00 - How diet influences pest resistance and overall health 37:00 - Herbal remedies for external pest control (limonene, calendula, licorice) 40:00 - Tools for tick repulsion and environmental safety (Laleshwa oil) 43:00 - The risks of conventional treatments and antibiotics 47:00 - Understanding Lyme disease  50:00 - Natural herbs like olive leaf and Usnea lichen for broad-spectrum pathogen defense 53:00 - The significance of supportive care over suppression with pharmaceuticals 56:00 - The energy and mindset's role in health and healing 58:00 - How individuals can find Greg’s resources and continue learning 60:00 - Greg’s books, including Herbs for Pets and Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West 62:00 - Final thoughts and emphasizing connection to nature for holistic health Discounts: Animal Essentials is offering listeners an extremely generous 30% off a purchase from June 1st through June 30th 2026. Head to www.animalessentials.com [https://animalessentials.com/] and enter code RawRemedy26 at checkout to get your discount, and don't miss it!  Connect with Kara: * Website: rawremedieshealth.com [https://rawremedieshealth.com/] * Facebook: Raw Remedies Health [https://www.facebook.com/rawremedieshealth] * Instagram: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.instagram.com/rawremedieshealth/] * TikTok: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rawremedieshealth] * Newsletter: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective] Connect with Greg Tilford: * Website: animalessentials.com [https://animalessentials.com/] * Substack: The Animal Herbalist Gregory Tilford | Substack [https://theanimalherbalist.substack.com/] Sponsor: CBD Dog Health & Mycodog Use code RAWREMEDIES for 15% off your order! www.cbddoghealth.com [https://cbddoghealth.com/] My sponsor for this episode is CBD Dog Health. They use organic ingredients, clean formulas, third-party testing, and COAs for every batch, as does their sister company, MycoDog. If you’re looking for supplements that prioritize real quality, transparency, and long-term wellness for your pets, I highly recommend checking out CBD Dog Health and MycoDog, because your furry family members deserve the good stuff too! Join the Conversation: Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow holistic pet parent or leave a review to help others find Raw Remedies Podcast!  Honorable Mentions: Animal Essentials – Natural pet supplement company founded by Greg Tilford Animal Herbalist Substack – Greg’s educational newsletter Herbs for Pets by Greg Tilford – Essential herbal resource for pet owners Mountain Rose Herbs – A trusted source for organic herbs and supplements Leleshwa Oil (search for suppliers) – Natural tick repellent, also called Camphor (coming soon from Greg himself!) Ledum (homeopathic remedy, 30c or 200ck) – For tick exposure prevention Microbiome Testing - Animal Biome – Microbiome restoration solutions

Managing Metabolic Health, Part 3: the Systemic Inferno, with Dr. Chrystyne Olivieri

In Part 3 of our metabolic health series, I sit down one final time with Dr. Chrystyne Olivieri to connect the dots between blood sugar, insulin, and the full-body consequences of metabolic dysfunction. What starts as a “slow burn” of subtle imbalances can evolve into a systemic inferno of chronic disease, impacting nearly every organ system. In this episode, we explore how chronically elevated insulin and blood sugar contribute to conditions like heart disease, fatty liver, cognitive decline, and even neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s, and often long before standard lab markers show anything is wrong. Be sure to listen to parts one and two if you haven't already!  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Metabolic Health Series 01:29 Understanding High Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels 04:38 The Role of C-Peptide in Metabolic Dysfunction 06:07 The Impact of Gut Health on Metabolism 07:16 Chronic Diseases and the Evolution of Medicine 10:22 The Connection Between Diet and Chronic Illness 12:08 Heart Health: Cholesterol vs. Sugar 14:56 The Misconceptions of Cardiovascular Disease 17:25 Animal Health and Diet: A Parallel Discussion 20:42 The Importance of Nutrition Education 23:34 Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Insulin Resistance 27:35 Understanding Pharmaceutical Data Manipulation 32:44 The Rise of Liver Disease and Its Causes 37:19 Linking Diabetes, Dementia, and Nutrition 44:06 The Importance of Gut Health and Probiotics 49:30 Functional Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine Sponsor: Girls Gone Raw Pet health Use code RAWREMEDIES for 10% off your first order www.girlsgonerawpet.com [https://www.girlsgonerawpet.com/] GGR, founded by my friend Lauren Becks, is a carnivore loving enthusiast whose mission is to bring a species appropriate diet back into every home. Please be sure to check out her small independent business and use the above code for a discount at checkout! Connect with Kara: * Website: rawremedieshealth.com [https://rawremedieshealth.com/] * Facebook: Raw Remedies Health [https://www.facebook.com/rawremedieshealth] * Instagram: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.instagram.com/rawremedieshealth/] * TikTok: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rawremedieshealth] * Newsletter: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective] Connect with Dr Olivieri: * Email: colivierinp@gmail.com Wondering if your metabolic health is up to snuff? Download my checklist and see if you're on the right track, or if there are some changes you could make to improve the metabolic health of you and your furry family members: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/metabolicscreeningtool [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/metabolicscreeningtool] Join the Conversation Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow holistic pet parent or leave a review to help others find Raw Remedies Podcast!

Managing Metabolic Health, Part 2: The Diabetic Fire, with Dr. Chrystyne Olivieri

In this episode, we continue our metabolic health series and jump out of the frying pan and into the fire of type 2 diabetes. We go deep into the complexities of type 2 diabetes, its subtypes, early warning signs, diagnostic tools, and lifestyle interventions. Dr. Olivieri emphasizes the importance of proactive health measures and understanding the metabolic crisis affecting global health, as well as the need to take action early or risk life-long health risks. Key topics include: -> Subtypes of type 2 diabetes and their characteristics -> Early warning signs and symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes -> Diagnostic tools including A1C, fasting blood sugar, and urine microalbumin -> The impact of diet, weight gain, and insulin resistance -> Lifestyle interventions and dietary changes to prevent and reverse diabetes Chapters: 00:00 Understanding the Global Metabolic Crisis 02:06 Diving into Type 2 Diabetes Subtypes 06:15 The Dangers of Type 2 Diabetes 10:54 Recognizing Early Warning Signs 16:58 The Impact of Diet on Metabolic Health 21:40 Proactive Measures for Diabetes Screening 25:10 Understanding Dysmetabolic Syndrome and Diabetes 27:51 The Dangers of Calorie Restriction 29:40 Nutritional Composition Over Caloric Intake 30:14 Diagnostic Tools for Metabolic Health 34:58 Lifestyle Changes for Diabetes Management 35:56 New Dietary Guidelines and Their Implications 43:52 Actionable Steps for Healthier Living Sponsor: My Pet Carnivore Use code RAWREMEDIES for 10% off your first order www.mypetcarnivore.com [http://www.mypetcarnivore.com/] Ya’ll, definitely consider checking them out. This company is small, independently owned, high quality and extremely generous. They’re a great resource and I love their products, so I’m proud to bring them to your attention! Connect with Kara: * Website: rawremedieshealth.com [https://rawremedieshealth.com/] * Facebook: Raw Remedies Health [https://www.facebook.com/rawremedieshealth] * Instagram: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.instagram.com/rawremedieshealth/] * TikTok: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rawremedieshealth] * Newsletter: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective] Connect with Dr Olivieri: * Email: colivierinp@gmail.com Wondering if your metabolic health is up to snuff? Download my checklist and see if you're on the right track, or if there are some changes you could make to improve the metabolic health of you and your furry family members: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/metabolicscreeningtool [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/metabolicscreeningtool] Join the Conversation Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow holistic pet parent or leave a review to help others find Raw Remedies Podcast!

Managing Metabolic Health, Part 1: The Insulin Resistance Smolder, with Dr. Chrystyne Olivieri

In today's episode, I team up with Dr. Chrystyne Olivieri to delve into the critical topic of metabolic health, focusing on insulin resistance and its implications for overall health. We discuss the prevalence of obesity in people and pets, the impact of ultra-processed foods on our health, and the hormonal crises (aka Insulin Resistance) that arise from poor dietary choices. The conversation emphasizes the failure of traditional diets and the importance of behavioral modifications for achieving better metabolic health, as well as some myth busting and scientific study flaws. Dr. Olivieri provides practical advice for listeners to assess their dietary habits and make informed changes to improve their health, with more to come in part 2! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Metabolic Health and Insulin Resistance 02:51 Understanding Insulin Resistance and Its Impact 05:51 The Role of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome 08:25 The Dangers of Ultra-Processed Foods 11:18 The Hormonal Crisis and Its Effects 14:21 The Importance of Diet in Metabolic Health 17:01 The Transition from Sugar Burner to Fat Burner 20:06 The Challenges of Dietary Changes 22:59 The Importance of Nutritional Education 26:54 Understanding Long-Term Health Studies 33:04 The Role of Lifestyle in Metabolic Health 37:32 Why Diets Fail: The Metabolic Perspective 42:47 The Importance of Sleep and Movement 46:19 Starting Your Journey to Better Metabolic Health Sponsor: My Pet Carnivore Use code RAWREMEDIES for 10% off your first order 👉 www.mypetcarnivore.com [http://www.mypetcarnivore.com/] Ya'll, definitely consider checking them out. This company is small, independently owned, high quality and extremely generous. They're a great resource and I love their products, so I'm proud to bring them to your attention! Connect with Kara: * Website: rawremedieshealth.com [https://rawremedieshealth.com/] * Facebook: Raw Remedies Health [https://www.facebook.com/rawremedieshealth] * Instagram: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.instagram.com/rawremedieshealth/] * TikTok: @rawremedieshealth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rawremedieshealth] * Newsletter: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/jointhecollective] Connect with Dr Olivieri: * Email: colivierinp@gmail.com Wondering if your metabolic health is up to snuff? Download my checklist and see if you're on the right track, or if there are some changes you could make to improve the metabolic health of you and your furry family members: https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/metabolicscreeningtool [https://rawremedieshealth.myflodesk.com/metabolicscreeningtool] Join the Conversation Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow holistic pet parent or leave a review to help others find Raw Remedies Podcast!