The Immune Edit

What Your Doctor Isn’t Hiding From You (Despite What Social Media Says)

In a world full of “what your doctor won’t tell you” headlines, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing something—or worse, being misled. But are doctors really hiding information? In this episode, Dr. Doug Jones sits down with pediatric allergist Dr. Manisha Relan to unpack one of the biggest myths in modern healthcare: the idea that physicians are gatekeeping answers. Together, they break down how social media hooks, emotional storytelling, and clever marketing can blur the line between education and manipulation. They dive into: * Why doctors don’t order certain tests (and what that actually means) * The truth about “hidden” allergies and food sensitivity testing * How to spot red flags in online health advice * The role of supplements—and why more isn’t always better * What it really means when a doctor says, “I don’t know” This conversation is a refreshing, honest look at the realities of medicine—where uncertainty exists, learning never stops, and the goal is always to work with patients, not against them. If you’ve ever questioned medical advice, felt overwhelmed by conflicting information, or wondered who to trust, this episode will help you pause, think critically, and navigate it all with more confidence.

The Truth About Food Reactions with Raquel Durbin, RD: Allergy, Intolerance, or Something Else?

Food reactions are more confusing than ever and social media isn’t helping. In this episode, Dr. Doug Jones sits down with registered dietitian, Raquel Durbin, to break down the difference between food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities, and why so many people are stuck in a cycle of fear and over-restriction. They dive into: • Why “everything makes me react” is becoming more common• The problem with at-home food sensitivity tests• How restrictive diets can hurt your health (and your quality of life)• The truth about supplements, probiotics, and trending nutrition advice• Simple, evidence-based ways to support your body, starting with food If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by what to eat or confused by your symptoms, this episode will help you cut through the noise and get back to what actually works. Food allergy isn’t just a diagnosis, it’s a lifestyle. The goal isn’t perfection…it’s progress. 🩺 Become a patient at GAIN: ⁠myimmunenetwork.com⁠ [http://myimmunenetwork.com] 📱 Follow Dr. Doug Jones: @drdougjones on Instagram and TikTok 🌐 Learn more: ⁠drdougjones.com [http://drdougjones.com]

Flying With Food Allergies: What Airlines Won't Tell You with Lianne Mandelbaum

Think you know what to expect when flying with a food allergy? Think again. Airline labeling laws, emergency kit contents, and pre-boarding rights are not what most passengers assume — and the gaps in protection are bigger than you'd think. Dr. Doug sits down with Lianne Mandelbaum, founder of No Nut Traveler and airline correspondent for Allergic Living, to break down what every food allergy family needs to know before their next flight. Lianne has spent over a decade advocating for safer air travel after her son was bullied for his peanut allergy at the Denver airport — and United Airlines refused to help. They cover which airlines will (and won't) accommodate you, why you should never eat an airline meal, how co-factors like stress, fatigue, and altitude can lower your reaction threshold, and what's actually inside those emergency medical kits (spoiler: not what you'd hope). Plus, the latest DOT ruling that limits pre-boarding rights to only peanut and tree nut allergies — and why Lianne is fighting to change it. 🩺 Become a patient at GAIN: myimmunenetwork.com [http://myimmunenetwork.com] 📱 Follow Dr. Doug Jones: @drdougjones on Instagram and TikTok 🌐 Learn more: drdougjones.com [http://drdougjones.com]

The Food Allergy Treatment Menu: Picking What's Right for YOUR Kid with Dr. Tom Chacko and Dr. Farah Khan

Your kid has a food allergy — and you've been told to "just avoid it." But what if there are other options nobody told you about? In this episode, Dr. Doug Jones is joined by Dr. Tom Chacko and Dr. Farah Khan for an unfiltered roundtable on the food allergy treatments available right now: oral immunotherapy (OIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and omalizumab (Xolair). They break down who each treatment is best for, debate real patient cases, and get into an honest disagreement about when a biologic makes more sense than daily dosing. This isn't a scripted overview — it's three allergists with different perspectives hashing it out in real time. Whether your child is a toddler just diagnosed or a teenager managing allergies through high school, this episode will help you understand what questions to ask and what options might be on the table. 🩺 Become a patient at GAIN: myimmunenetwork.com [http://myimmunenetwork.com] 📱Follow Dr. Doug Jones: @drdougjones on Instagram and TikTok 🌐 Learn more: drdougjones.com [http://drdougjones.com]

The Mental Side of Food Allergies No One Talks About with Dr. Amanda Whitehouse

What if the hardest part of living with food allergies isn't the food — it's what's happening in your mind and body? In this episode, Dr. Doug sits down with Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, a psychologist and food allergy mom of 15 years, to talk about something most people in the food allergy world don't fully address: the mental and emotional toll. Amanda shares her own journey navigating her son's food allergy diagnosis, seeking out OIT treatment before it was mainstream, and ultimately turning her experience into a career helping other families cope. Together, they break down the difference between food allergy anxiety and actual trauma — and why that distinction matters more than you think. Amanda explains the therapeutic tools available (CBT, ACT, exposure therapy, somatic work, and nervous system regulation) and why finding the right provider relationship is just as important as picking the right treatment. They also get real about the emotional weight providers carry and how compassion — not just empathy — is the key to avoiding burnout. Whether you're a food allergy parent feeling overwhelmed by treatment options, a patient carrying years of unprocessed fear, or a provider looking for better ways to support your patients, this episode is one you don't want to skip. 🩺 Become a patient at GAIN: myimmunenetwork.com [http://myimmunenetwork.com/] 📱 Follow Dr. Doug Jones: @drdougjones on Instagram and TikTok 🌐 Learn more: drdougjones.com [http://drdougjones.com/]