The Curious Cardiologist

When Did Doctors Stop Being Doctors? | Apr 01, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj explores the decline of genuine doctor-patient connection, systemic issues in healthcare, and how a systems biology approach can transform medical practice. He shares personal experiences and insights on restoring empathy, curiosity, and holistic care in medicine. Interested in joining my U360 Membeship? Go to doctorsanjay.com to sign up! "When did doctors stop being doctors?" "Connection is more important than ever" "Inflammation drives most chronic diseases" Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Season Two 00:58 The Shift from Provider to Consumer 02:53 The Disconnection in Doctor-Patient Relationships 09:03 The Challenges of Modern Medicine 12:00 The Fragmentation of Care 17:48 The Importance of Lifestyle in Health 20:51 The Role of Curiosity and Listening in Medicine 27:00 The Future of Medicine: Connecting with Patients

Ayurveda and Elemental Design: Ancient Healing for Modern Medicine

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Dr. Shivani Gupta, PhD in Ayurvedic medicine, founder of Fusionary Formulas, and author of The Inflammation Code. Together, they explore why Ayurveda — a 5,000-year-old system of medicine — may be more relevant than ever in a modern world defined by chronic inflammation, burnout, disrupted circadian rhythms, and one-size-fits-all wellness trends. This conversation bridges ancient wisdom and modern science, reframing inflammation, gut health, sleep, fasting, and metabolic health through the lens of personalized, lifestyle-based medicine. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing all the right things” but still feel off — this episode is for you. 👇 Watch until the end for practical, simple ways to apply Ayurveda to your daily life. ⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome & introduction to Dr. Shivani Gupta  01:44 – What Ayurveda really is (and why it aligns with functional medicine)  02:57 – Doshas as the original personalized medicine  04:14 – Elemental Design: air, fire, earth explained  06:15 – Vata (air): anxiety, gut issues, grounding strategies  08:53 – Pitta (fire): inflammation, burnout, cooling the system  10:21 – Kapha (earth): metabolism, weight, mood, movement  12:36 – How seasons & life events shift your constitution  15:06 – Ayurveda vs genomics: two paths to personalization  18:20 – Why intermittent fasting & trends don’t work for everyone  22:44 – Why Ayurveda matters more than ever today  26:14 – Micro-rituals to reset the nervous system  29:17 – Tongue scraping, oil pulling, dry brushing, self-massage  35:34 – Food timing & the Ayurvedic circadian diet  37:41 – Super spices & the science of turmeric  50:46 – Supplement quality & why formulation matters  54:33 – Dr. Gupta’s Top 5 Ayurveda “Start Here” moves  59:01 – Rapid-fire questions (nachos, Italy, race cars)  01:01:54 – Where to find Dr. Gupta + listener discount  01:02:38 – Final thoughts & outro 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why Ayurveda is the original root-cause & lifestyle medicine * The three Ayurvedic constitutions (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) explained simply * How circadian rhythm affects inflammation, digestion, and sleep * Why some people feel worse with fasting, cold exposure, or extreme wellness trends * Simple Ayurvedic rituals that support gut health, lymphatic flow, and nervous system regulation * The real science behind turmeric and Ayurvedic “super spices” * Why healing starts when you stop fighting your nature Practical Takeaways Dr. Gupta shares her Top 5 Ayurveda Moves anyone can start today: 1. Learn your Elemental Design (Ayurvedic constitution) 2. Use a copper tongue scraper daily 3. Align your day with circadian rhythm & sunlight 4. Protect sleep — especially the 10pm–2am window 5. Use turmeric strategically to lower inflammation (with lifestyle support) 🔗 Guest Links & Resources * Dr. Shivani Gupta – Website & Elemental Design Quiz 👉 https://shivanigupta.com [https://shivanigupta.com] * Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/doctor.shivanigupta * Book: The Inflammation Code 👉 https://theinflammationcode.com [https://theinflammationcode.com] (Also available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble) * Supplements: Fusionary Formulas 👉 https://fusionaryformulas.com [https://fusionaryformulas.com] 🎟 Listener Discount Code: CURIOUS15 👉 15% off at checkout (mentioned in the episode) 👍 Support the Show If you found this episode helpful: * Like the video * Subscribe to The Curious Cardiologist * Comment with topics or guests you’d like to see next

Doctors Diagnose, Coaches Activate: The Future of Patient Care with Sandra Scheinbaum PhD

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD, founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA), to explore why health coaching may be the most underutilized—and most powerful—tool in modern healthcare. Together, they unpack the growing gap between what doctors say and what patients actually do, why behavior change is so difficult even when people know what’s “right,” and how trained health coaches dramatically improve outcomes for chronic disease, mental health, and lifestyle-related conditions. Dr. Scheinbaum shares her journey from psychology and mind‑body medicine to founding FMCA, explains the science behind health coaching, and outlines how coaches integrate seamlessly into medical teams without replacing physicians. The conversation also tackles physician burnout, patient non‑adherence, Medicare reimbursement, and the future of collaborative care. This episode is essential listening for clinicians, health system leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in sustainable health transformation. Key Topics Covered * Why the U.S. healthcare system struggles with outcomes despite record spending * The communication gap between doctors and patients * What health coaches actually do (and what they don’t) * Why doctors are not trained to create behavior change * The psychology of motivation, self‑efficacy, and lifestyle change * Evidence and randomized trials supporting health coaching * Health coaching for cardiometabolic disease, autoimmunity, mental health, and GLP‑1 users * How health coaches reduce physician burnout * Group coaching, community medicine, and peer support models * Scope, certification, and avoiding “bad actors” in coaching * Medicare reimbursement and collaborative care models * Becoming a health coach: training, certification, and career paths Episode Show Notes Guest: Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD Founder & CEO, Functional Medicine Coaching Academy Certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) What You’ll Learn * Why knowledge alone doesn’t change behavior * How health coaches increase adherence, outcomes, and patient satisfaction * Why patients are often more honest with coaches than doctors * The role of self‑efficacy in healing and long‑term health * How lifestyle interventions can improve anxiety, depression, and quality of life * Why community and accountability matter more than willpower Memorable Quotes * “Doctors diagnose. Coaches help people change when change is hard.” * “Genes are not destiny—daily habits matter more than people realize.” * “Health coaching doesn’t replace medicine; it completes it.” Resources Mentioned * Functional Medicine Coaching Academy: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org * National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)

The Perimenopause Reset: Anxiety, Brain Fog, and Hormones Explained with Dr. Jen

In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj speaks with Dr. Jennifer Pfleghaar about her transition from emergency medicine to integrative medicine, focusing on the importance of lifestyle changes, the challenges of conventional medicine, and the need for personalized care, especially in women's health during perimenopause. They discuss the impact of pharmaceuticals, the role of hormones, and the significance of education in health. Dr. Jen also shares insights from her book, 'The Perimenopause Reset,' which aims to help women navigate this critical phase of life. Takeaways Dr. Jen transitioned to integrative medicine after seeing chronic disease in the ER. Conventional medicine often fails to address root causes of health issues. 90% of ER visits are related to chronic diseases. Hashimoto's thyroiditis can be reversed with lifestyle changes. Preventive care is lacking in the current healthcare system. Hormonal imbalances can significantly affect women's health. Bioidentical hormones are safer than synthetic alternatives. Education is crucial for patients to understand their health. Environmental factors can impact hormonal health. The Perimenopause Reset book provides a holistic approach to women's health. Chapters 00:00 Transitioning to Integrative Medicine 03:02 The Role of Nutrition in Emergency Medicine 06:11 Chronic Diseases and Conventional Medicine 08:46 The Disconnect in Patient Care 12:04 The Importance of Prevention 15:00 The Impact of Pharmaceuticals on Health 17:58 Motivational Interviewing in Patient Care 21:13 The Challenges of Hormone Replacement Therapy 23:57 Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic Hormones 33:53 Understanding Hormonal Changes in Women 34:51 The Importance of Hormone Replacement Therapy 37:23 Navigating Hormone Testing and Medical Advice 38:03 The Risks of Self-Medication with Hormones 40:14 The Dangers of Hormone Pellets 43:32 The Need for Proper Medical Oversight 45:34 The Role of Continuous Learning in Medicine 51:01 The Holistic Approach to Perimenopause 54:11 The Impact of Environmental Factors on Hormones 56:41 Finding the Right Practitioner for Hormonal Health

Genomic Medicine, Not Guesswork: How Your Genes Shape Diet, Drugs & Supplements

In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj MD sits down with pharmacologist and genomic medicine specialist Dr. Tyler Panzner to unpack how your genes shape your response to diet, medications, and supplements. They explore the difference between genetics vs genomics, why one-size-fits-all nutrition advice (keto, carnivore, vegan) can be dangerous, and how polygenic risk scores and pathway-based genomics can guide truly precision nutrition and precision medicine. From vitamin D that never budges, to oxalate kidney stones, to why berberine may not be as “innocent” as Instagram says, this episode pulls back the curtain on the wild west of supplements. If you’ve ever wondered why your labs don’t change, why one cup of coffee wrecks you, or why your “clean” supplement stack makes you feel worse, this conversation is for you. Guest: Dr. Tyler Panzner Dr. Tyler Panzner, PhD is a pharmacologist specializing in genomic medicine and supplement pharmacology. He helps individuals and clinicians use comprehensive genomic data to personalize diet, lifestyle, and supplementation—focusing on bottom-up molecular pathways rather than fear-based, top-down disease labels. * Website: drtylerpanzner.com * Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / LinkedIn: @DrTylerPanzner * [00:00] Welcome to The Curious Cardiologist & Guest Intro Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj MD introduces pharmacologist and genomic medicine specialist Dr. Tyler Panzner. [01:20] VHS, Blockbuster & the Hallmarks of Aging (Fun Cold Open) Light banter on VHS, rewinding tapes, and joking about “hallmarks of aging.” [02:25] Genetics vs Genomics: What’s the Difference? Tyler explains genetics (single variants) vs genomics (your entire genetic “book”) and polygenic risk scores. [04:30] Why One-Size-Fits-All Diets Fail: Keto, Carnivore, Vegan & Your Genes How saturated fat response, ancestry, and LDL genetics change who thrives or crashes on keto/carnivore. [08:40] Oxalates, Kidney Stones & Carnivore as a Tool (Not a Religion) Oxalate sensitivity, kidney stones, and why some people truly struggle with spinach and plant “defense chemicals.” [10:45] Vegan Fatigue, Conditional Amino Acids & “Have a Steak and See” Why some vegans feel amazing for 6–12 weeks, then crash when conditional amino acids run low. [12:35] Creatine, Carnitine, Iron & Taurine: When Your Genes Can’t Keep Up 9,400+ mutations tied to creatine production; why some people need more animal foods or very targeted supplements. [14:40] The Myth of Willpower, Food Noise & Micronutrient Deficiency How hormones and micronutrient gaps drive cravings, “food noise,” and self-blame. [17:40] “Loaded Gun vs Pulled Trigger”: Propensity, Transcriptome & Proteome Genes vs gene expression vs proteins—and why genotype ≠ destiny. [20:55] Bottom-Up Genomics: From Molecular Pathways to Real Symptoms Tyler’s “bottom-up” approach: focusing on linear pathways like glutathione, vitamin D, neurotransmitters, etc. [23:35] The Vitamin D Puzzle: CYP2R1, Low Levels & Why Your Labs Never Budge Chronic low vitamin D, CYP2R1 variants, gallbladder issues, and why megadoses sometimes don’t work—and may backfire. [28:25] Pharmacogenomics 101: COMT, MAO & Why Some People Hate Caffeine COMT and MAO variants, adrenaline sensitivity, and why some folks overthink, get anxious, or “overflow” on stimulants. [31:15] Supplements That Secretly Spike Adrenaline: Curcumin, Rhodiola, Berberine & More How “healthy” supplements (curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, rhodiola, berberine, methylene blue) can trigger anxiety in sensitive people. [34:35] Berberine, CYP3A4 & Statins: Hidden Supplement–Drug Interactions Why berberine can affect CYP3A4, statin metabolism, and cardiometabolic patients. [35:55] Stacking 30 Supplements: Liver Strain & the Dark Side of “More Is Better” Tyler’s story of massive supplement stacks, elevated liver enzymes, and why “liver support” can still stress the liver. [47:50] Purity vs Pharmacology: The Two Sides of Supplement Safety Clean manufacturing vs how a supplement acts in your body: iron chelation, neurotransmitters, hormones, liver enzymes. [50:20] Big Pharma vs Big Wellness: Who’s Really Regulated? Comparing drug oversight to the “wild west” of AI-generated wellness brands and TikTok supplements. [57:00] How Tyler Actually Uses Supplements: Audits, Subtraction & Lifelong Bottlenecks Full supplement audits, using fewer products, and when something is truly lifelong (e.g., pre-activated vitamin D). [01:00:20] Supplements as Catalyst, Lifestyle as Foundation Using targeted supplements to get people out of a rut—but never as a replacement for sleep, movement, and real food. [01:01:55] Lightning Round: Favorite Food, Favorite Place, & What Keeps Tyler Curious Surf & turf, Tampa memories, and why he sees music as “acousticeuticals” and real epigenetic medicine. [01:04:40] How to Work with Dr. Tyler Panzner Where to find him online, plus how to think about genomic testing & interpretation. [01:06:30] Sanjay’s Final Thoughts & Call to Action How to choose good genomic testing, why interpretation matters, and where to subscribe and leave comments.