74. Healing Feels Slow? Here’s What’s Actually Happening | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

74. Healing Feels Slow? Here’s What’s Actually Happening | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you’ve been doing everything you can to support your body but aren’t seeing or feeling much change yet, this episode will help you understand what’s actually happening beneath the surface, and why healing often takes longer to show up than we expect. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we walk through the biological sequence of healing and why it rarely begins at the level of symptoms. You’ll hear the story behind Dr. Dean Ornish’s research, where measurable changes in gene expression and disease-related pathways began within weeks—long before patients felt significantly different. From there, we break down what’s happening inside your body during the early stages of healing, including shifts in gene expression, immune regulation, nervous system balance, and cellular energy production. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why healing often begins long before you feel better • The order your body follows as it starts to repair and regulate • Why symptoms can stay the same or fluctuate even when progress is happening • How immune, nervous system, and energy changes unfold over time • What early signs of progress to look for beyond obvious symptom relief Listen now to understand what your body is actually doing in the early stages of healing, and why staying consistent, even when progress feels invisible, can make all the difference. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

73. Why Your Diet Might Be Increasing Inflammation - Even If It’s “Healthy” | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you’re eating well but still dealing with fatigue, pain, brain fog, or lingering symptoms, this episode will help you understand why a “healthy” diet doesn’t always lead to healing, and what might actually be happening inside your body. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore why inflammation doesn’t respond to food in the same way for everyone. You’ll hear the story of Sarah Ballantyne, who followed a textbook healthy diet yet continued to struggle with autoimmune symptoms, until she began identifying the specific foods that were triggering immune activation in her body. From there, we break down the science behind why certain foods, even nutrient-dense ones, can drive inflammation depending on gut health, immune sensitivity, and individual biology. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why a diet that looks healthy on paper may still be working against your body • How the immune system responds to foods individually—not universally • The role of gut permeability in amplifying food-related inflammation • Why inflammation is often driven by cumulative inputs, not one single food • How to begin identifying which foods are supportive vs. non-supportive for you Listen now to learn how to move beyond generic nutrition advice and start understanding what your body actually responds to, so that you can make changes that lead to real progress. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

72. Why Sugar Feels So Hard to Quit During Illness (It’s Not Just Willpower) | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel like you “know better” but still find yourself reaching for sugar (especially when you’re tired, stressed, or overwhelmed) this episode will help you understand why those cravings feel so strong and what your body is actually trying to communicate. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore the biology behind sugar cravings during illness and why they are not simply a matter of discipline or willpower. You’ll learn how sugar interacts with the brain’s reward system, how stress hormones increase the drive for quick energy, and why fatigue and blood sugar instability can create a cycle that makes cravings feel almost impossible to break. Rather than framing cravings as a problem to fight, this episode reframes them as signals, pointing to underlying needs in your body that can be supported more effectively. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why sugar cravings become stronger during illness, stress, and fatigue • How dopamine and the brain’s reward system reinforce craving patterns • The role of blood sugar swings in driving repeated cravings • Why cravings often show up most intensely when your energy is lowest • How to begin reducing cravings by supporting your body instead of restricting it Listen now to understand what your cravings are really telling you and how to respond in a way that supports your energy, stability, and healing. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

71. The Hidden Role of Sugar in Inflammation, Fatigue, and Chronic Disease Progression | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel like you’re doing everything right but your energy is still low, your symptoms aren’t improving, or something just feels off, this episode will show you one often-overlooked factor that could be working against you. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore the hidden role sugar plays in fatigue, immune function, and overall healing. You’ll learn how sugar affects your body at a biological level —from blood sugar swings and inflammatory signaling to gut health and energy production— and why even small, frequent exposures can have a bigger impact during illness than most people realize. In this episode, you’ll understand: • How sugar influences inflammation, immune function, and energy • Why fatigue and “crashing” often follow sugar intake • What’s really driving sugar cravings during illness • How sugar affects your gut and overall resilience • Simple ways to reduce sugar without restriction or overwhelm Listen now to understand how sugar may be influencing your symptoms, and how to start making small shifts that better support your body’s healing. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

70. How to Sleep Better With Any Diagnosis - The Science of Healing Rest | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel exhausted but can’t seem to fall asleep—or you wake up feeling tired still—this episode will help you understand why illness disrupts sleep so deeply and what can actually help your body rest again. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore why sleep can be so hard to come by during chronic and serious illness and why it’s not just about “trying harder” to rest. You’ll hear a powerful story from neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, who had to relearn how to rest after a stroke left her brain easily overwhelmed by even simple stimulation. From there, we break down the biology behind disrupted sleep, including inflammation, pain, nervous system hyperarousal, and hormone imbalances. Finally, I will walk you through how to create a bedtime routine that helps you get deep, restful sleep. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why sleep becomes so difficult during illness—even when you’re deeply tired • What’s happening in your body when you feel “exhausted but wired” • Why pushing yourself to sleep often backfires • The simple, research-backed strategies that help your body relearn rest • How to create a nighttime routine that actually supports healing Listen now to learn how to support your body’s natural sleep systems and begin getting the kind of rest that truly helps you heal. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.