Ground & Root Podcast

A 3-Step Holistic Plan For Stronger Immune Function & Cancer Prevention

Your immune system doesn’t just need more support, it needs the right kind of support in the right order.  We’re continuing our cancer prevention and immune system series with a simple 3-step system we use with clients to rebalance immune function and strengthen cancer surveillance...without making your life feel like a full-time wellness project. Here's some of what we're covering today: • how calming the stress response can move you out of fight-or-flight and back towards healing • grounding and nature breaks as fast nervous system support • breathwork plus herbs, flower remedies, and scent for regulation • raising positive emotions through gratitude, fun, laughter, and connection • the nutrients & foods necessary for white blood cell building & immune nourishment • deep restorative sleep, circadian rhythm habits, & lifestyle strategies that can further support immune function  • deeper emotional healing for stored trauma and stuck emotions • using blood work & functional labs to monitor immune function & dive deeper into what might be impacting it We can all use a little extra immune love. I hope today's episode inspires you with practical ways you can help your immune system work better. And if this helps you think differently about immune support and cancer prevention, please subscribe, share the show with someone you love, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. 🙏 🌿 Let's Connect 🌿 Explore Coaching [https://groundandroot.com/the-healing-accelerator] Join Us On Substack [https://substack.com/@dionnedetraz]  Watch Episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@groundandroot.nutrition]  Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/groundandroot.healing/]

East Asian Medicine Tools For Immune Resilience And Cancer Prevention

Your immune system is doing quiet, relentless work every day, and when it struggles, it shows up as more than just “getting sick.” It can look like poor recovery, chronic inflammation, constant fatigue, or a body that can’t downshift out of stress long enough to heal. That’s why I’m so focused on immune function and immune surveillance as a core cancer prevention strategy, and why I wanted an expert voice from outside nutrition to widen the lens.  On today's episode I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer Ashby, a doctor of East Asian medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and herbalist, to translate classic concepts into practical, modern language.  Here's some of what we're covering today: • how East Asian medicine maps “defensive” immunity through Wei Chi • why exposure to wind, cold, damp, heat, and dryness is a useful model for barrier health • lungs as an immune commander tied to breathing, skin, pores, and respiratory capacity • spleen as an immune factory tied to digestion, gut health, and food-to-energy conversion • kidneys as an immune battery storing Jing and what “push-through” energy costs • practical ways to support immunity with sleep, hydration, movement, and breathwork • emotional patterns linked to organs, including worry with digestion and fear with kidneys • Dr. Ashby’s upcoming book The Energy Prescription and why fundamentals beat biohacks --> coming in October 2026!! If this conversation helps you, please subscribe & share it with someone who needs a steadier energy baseline, and leave a review so more people can find these tools. 🙏 More about today's guest & how to connect with her: Jennifer Ashby is a leading doctor of East Asian medicine, board-certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in San Francisco, California. She is the co-founder and one of the lead clinicians at the prominent Lotus Center, a senior acupuncturist at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health, and leading voice on integrative East Asian medicine and the role of Eastern medicine in lifestyle, disease, and epigenetics. 👉 Website: https://www.drjenniferashby.com/ [https://www.drjenniferashby.com/]  👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjenashby/ [https://www.instagram.com/drjenashby/] 👉 TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nRkzuN_j4o&t=3s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nRkzuN_j4o&t=3s] 🌿 Let's Connect 🌿 Explore Coaching [https://groundandroot.com/the-healing-accelerator] Join Us On Substack [https://substack.com/@dionnedetraz]  Watch Episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@groundandroot.nutrition]  Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/groundandroot.healing/]

Immune Surveillance 101

Your immune system is not just your cold and flu defense. It is also your front line cancer prevention system, running immune surveillance every day to spot abnormal cells and clear them before they can take hold.  This month we are diving deeper into immune support and in today's episode we are starting with what happens when that surveillance weakens. We walk through how cancer can start from normal cells that accumulate DNA damage, fail to repair, and avoid apoptosis. Then we zoom out to the real question so many people are asking: why does immune function get impaired in the first place? Here's some of what we're covering today: • why immune surveillance is a key defense against recurrence risk • how sugar intake can directly suppress immune function for hours • ultra processed foods, inflammation, and microbiome disruption • alcohol patterns that lower immune response including binge drinking • chronic stress, cortisol, and reduced immune surveillance • sleep deprivation and disrupted circadian rhythm as immune suppressors • the emotional trauma link to longer term immune suppression • how chronic infection and chronic irritation can create a cancer friendly environment • plus simple self assessment & monitoring options If this helped you think differently about immune support and cancer prevention, subscribe, share the show with someone you love, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. 🙏 🌿 Let's Connect 🌿 Explore Coaching [https://groundandroot.com/the-healing-accelerator] Join Us On Substack [https://substack.com/@dionnedetraz]  Watch Episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@groundandroot.nutrition]  Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/groundandroot.healing/]

A Cancer Survivor’s Non-Toxic Lifestyle Plan

A lump. A blunt doctor visit. Surgery scheduled days later. Brandon Weaver’s testicular cancer story starts fast, and what he did after recovery is even more interesting: he built a realistic system for reducing toxic load and supporting detox that he’s kept up for years.  In today's episode I sit down with Brandon to talk through what “surveillance” really looks like over time, how he stays diligent without spiraling, and why learning from the medical exam itself shaped his own self-check habits.  We break down the food, home, and habit changes he actually maintains five years later and how he stays consistent through discomfort. Here's some of what we're covering: • Brandon’s diagnosis story and rapid surgery timeline • Surveillance plan basics including markers and imaging • Self-check routines and learning from clinician exams • Organic produce priorities & reading ingredient labels • Switching from nonstick cookware to stainless steel • Water filtration & air purification at home and cost-saving strategies • Choosing organic cotton essentials closest to skin • Swapping personal care and cleaning products • Quarterly fasting-mimicking approach for cellular cleanup • Infrared sauna habit stacking with binders and dry brushing Plus so much more! If you’re ready to make one smart change instead of chasing perfection, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs motivation, and leave a review with the one habit you’re committing to next. 👉 Resources mentioned on today's episode: 1- Environmental Working Group [https://www.ewg.org/] 2- Pact Organic Clothing [https://wearpact.com/] 3- AirDoctor Air Filter [https://airdoctorpro.com/] 4- Hydroviv Water Filter [https://www.hydroviv.com/] 🌿 Let's Connect 🌿 Explore Coaching [https://groundandroot.com/the-healing-accelerator] Join Us On Substack [https://substack.com/@dionnedetraz]  Watch Episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@groundandroot.nutrition]  Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/groundandroot.healing/]

Detox Pathways For Cancer Prevention

Detox isn’t a product you buy or a weekend cleanse you “power through.” It’s the quiet, daily work of keeping your body’s drainage systems open so inflammation and toxins don’t linger, recirculate, and add to your cancer risk over time.  In today's episode we break down the six core detoxification pathways in a simple, practical way: lymph, liver, kidneys, colon, skin, and lungs. You’ll learn what each pathway is responsible for, what “sluggish” can feel like in real life, and the most effective habits to support healthy detox function.  Here's some of what we're covering: • the sink analogy for toxic burden and why backups happen • lymph basics, signs of sluggish flow, and the best ways to move lymph • how to better support the liver with diet • strategies to enhance elimination through the gut, kidneys, & skin • why stress and poor sleep slow detox, plus emotional and energetic “inputs” to clean up • fasting basics + when supplements may help, including binders and targeted support based on labs and genetics • putting it all together into a simple daily plan 👉 Resources mentioned on today's episode: 1- Environmental Working Group [https://www.ewg.org/] 2- The Healing Accelerator Spring Detox Challenge [https://groundandroot.com/the-healing-accelerator] 3- Episode 2: Why Cancer Grows [https://groundandrootpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2539990/episodes/17963720-the-hidden-drivers-behind-cancer-if-risk-isn-t-random-what-s-causing-cancer-to-form] Enjoying our content? Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share this with someone who is looking for a healthy reset, and leave a review to help more people find the show. 🙏 🌿 Let's Connect 🌿 Explore Coaching [https://groundandroot.com/the-healing-accelerator] Join Us On Substack [https://substack.com/@dionnedetraz]  Watch Episodes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@groundandroot.nutrition]  Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/groundandroot.healing/]