The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast

Ep 082: Total Load Theory — The Body's Breaking Point—Where Symptoms Begin

In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz sits down with Patricia ("Patty") Lemer for a wide-ranging, hope-filled conversation on Total Load Theory, introducing and unpacking many of the topics covered in Patty's recently released book, Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health. Patty Lemer is a pioneer and internationally recognized authority on identifying root causes and applying a holistic, systems-based model of care to autism, ADHD, learning differences (LD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), and mental health. She was among the first to apply the term "Total Load Theory" to mental health disorders, an engineering concept describing how the body accumulates an overload of stressors that eventually leads to dysfunction. Patty co-founded one of the first online non-profit organizations offering accessible information to families, helped establish a center for young adults in Kuwait (2012–2014), and has recorded over 100 episodes of her bi-monthly podcast, The Autism Detectives. Her work bridges decades of clinical observation with practical strategies, grounded in the fundamentals taught at the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA): nutrient-dense diet, digestion, blood sugar regulation, sleep, stress, and movement. These "Foundations of Health" apply to all, not only those with difficult diagnoses. When viewed through a bio-individual lens, each of us can begin to see symptoms of dysfunction dissipate as balance is restored to the body. Together, Jamie and Patty unpack how compounding stressors - from poor sleep and blood sugar swings to environmental toxins, mold exposure, nervous system dysregulation, EMFs, trauma, screen overload, and chronic inflammation - can accumulate until the body reaches a breaking point and symptoms become the dash lights we can't ignore. This episode also explores why sleep may trump nutrition, how a dysregulated nervous system can block healing (even with the "right protocol"), the role of polyvagal theory and vagus nerve regulation, and why detoxification must be gentle, foundational, and consistent - not trendy or extreme. In this episode, you'll learn: * What Total Load Theory is and how "compounding stressors" lead to chronic symptoms * Why symptoms often show up when the body hits a breaking point * How stress includes far more than emotions: sleep debt, toxins, trauma, inflammation, screens, EMFs, and more * Patty's perspective on sensory and vision therapies * Why sleep hygiene can determine whether the body can heal, especially in kids and teens * How nervous system dysregulation (fight/flight) can block progress in nutrition, detox, and therapy * Practical starting points: reduce exposure, support elimination, prioritize sleep, and begin one step at a time * Why healthy fats matter for brain and nervous system function (myelin, seizures, metabolic psychiatry) * How to think like a "health detective" and trace symptoms back to root causes * How to access Patty's new AI companion that searches her intellectual property and points listeners to relevant chapters and podcast episodes Resources mentioned in this episode: * Patricialemer.com [http://patricialemer.com/] * Multi-Media Content [https://www.patricialemer.com/multi-media.html] * Podcast: Patricia Lemer: The Autism Detective [https://open.spotify.com/show/2aHgSXx0LuDl8a4Q6QGy82] * Patty's AI companion: ai.patricialemer.com [http://ai.patricialemer.com/] * Patty's books: Outsmarting Autism [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/outsmarting-autism-revised/19208871/?resultid=74e7e63b-214e-424b-813a-bfb8f876c05e#edition=20462344&idiq=43525370] and Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health [https://www.amazon.com/Total-Load-Theory-Transforming-Autism/dp/1648212034/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XR0OE41SJGVX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZvWHzasxLh4Mb4-c9yhCFMnPU9BAn8Q7dSLoLDqZDU3pkc1aMtoK4cmBvLIq4oIl4RlQZ46OnfbnJnl6tc09RIRa0qxlLuT7KPCC1nPEMxJwIEZ1Z3XKkx8Kmu2SI6XRHgzA8iVK1x6WShvQYE_qEqWT2zaVAGmfSbaLXbtH8wCjvbA17b5G1zdpqla33do_quAL9RPYiuZGOqMk4G98HSleg4JVuK6mJu2T41hFQpc.bOpZClHLTTbPhj3Cft-lZtMUzk53gj9120yAymnDklw&dib_tag=se&keywords=total+load+theory&qid=1768327442&sprefix=total+load+theory%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1] * Book Mentioned: The Sensitive Patient's Healing Guide [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-sensitive-patients-healing-guide-top-experts-offer-new-insights-and-treatments-for-environmental-toxins-lyme-disease-and-emfs/56124587/#edition=73771602&idiq=85683950] by Dr. Neil Nathan * Documenting Hope [https://documentinghope.com/] * Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast - Wellness 101 (Help getting started with the Foundations of Health) [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JaXdLw44kCTVVDlUT8IeM?si=39840bcd72504df5] * Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast on Circumcision [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MWef8jcx8cFq7QgbJdf89?si=e5227608a32b4ca6] Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/webinars] Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

Ep 081: Rapid Replays - Wellness 101 - Start Working on Your Foundations of Wellness

This episode marks the conclusion of our recent Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, carefully curated as a launchpad for anyone wanting to level up in wellness. In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast (originally Episode 46), host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, and CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, break down the Foundations of Wellness into common-sense action steps for anyone looking to level up. If you've been nodding along with the wellness movement but still aren't sure how to take your first real step - or you want to double-check what you're doing to ensure you're not missing anything - this episode is your warm welcome in. People everywhere are waking up to a simple truth: real health doesn't come from pills, shakes, or short-term programs. Most of us have tried them - spent the money, followed the plans - only to end up frustrated or right back where we started. The missing piece? A strong foundation. And the good news is, it's not complicated - just a few practical, common-sense shifts can spark real, lasting change. This episode is packed with real talk, science-backed wisdom, and practical tips to help you pick your own adventure in a doable way. No more "all or nothing" attempts. Start over for the last time with one or a few of the easy but effective action steps you can incorporate today. If you're ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and finally start your wellness journey, this episode breaks it down into six simple, sustainable categories - what we call the Foundations of Wellness. You'll learn how to: * Eat a nutrient-dense diet rooted in real, whole foods (not calorie math), following Weston A. Price principles and honoring your bio-individual needs. * Optimize digestion, the root of all health, by chewing thoroughly, practicing mindful eating, and supporting stomach acid and enzyme function. * Balance blood sugar with small, daily habits like walking after meals and pairing carbs with protein and fat. * Improve sleep through calming evening routines, avoiding stimulants before bed, and aligning with your circadian rhythm. * Reduce stress with tools like the 4-7-8 breath, gratitude practices, and brain dumping. * Incorporate movement you actually enjoy - walking, dancing, or strength training—while supporting lymph flow, bone density, and energy. Podcast Episodes Mentioned (Besides the Rapid Replay Episodes): ⁠⁠Episode 28⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nutritional-therapy-and-wellness-podcast/id1733339864?i=1000678868802] – Blood Sugar 101 ⁠Episode 29⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/az3PFOEoHZb] - Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Regulation ⁠Episode 62⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Z9m1vNEoHZb] - Quick Tips From Your Blood Sugar Bestie ⁠Episode 74 - ⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/576VagepHZb]Dehydration Nation Find a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP): ⁠⁠NTA Practitioner Directory⁠⁠ [https://practitionerdirectory.nutritionaltherapy.com/entity/grid?EntityTypeId=e6b1de3a-72c3-4b0a-97a4-6919bacbad5d&ListingId=ba949308-2f17-44f0-8d13-d0e4a8f4ca0a&SmartSearchId=2707aa25-ba65-4c53-b02b-2b6ab9431c5c] Work with a practitioner directly through the NTA. Book a consultation: ⁠NTA HEALTH⁠ [https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/nta-health] Jamie's Rapid Replay Series BONUS Episodes (These are the episodes people tell us they skipped because they "didn't want to hear it."): ⁠Mystery Episode One⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Jnty2C0oHZb] ⁠Mystery Episode Two⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/4Jo1AwYoHZb] ⁠Mystery Episode Three⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/AX769zUoHZb] ⁠Mystery Episode Four⁠ [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/uvVPYc9oHZb] Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star Review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

Ep 080: Rapid Replays - Digestive Hell - A Legacy Lecture from NTA Founder Gray Graham

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites. In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, brings back a historical lecture given by the founder of The Nutritional Therapy Association, Gray Graham. Gray discusses the optimal function of digestion in a way you've never heard it explained. Listen to this, then come back tomorrow to catch the next episode as Gray explains digestive dysfunction. Optimal digestion is crucial for vitality. It ensures that the body efficiently breaks down food into nutrients, which are then absorbed and utilized for energy, growth, and cellular repair. Proper digestion supports a strong immune system, maintains a healthy gut microbiome, and helps prevent gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, it plays a significant role in mental health, as the gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to its impact on mood and cognitive function. Therefore, maintaining optimal digestion is vital for promoting physical and mental health, enhancing quality of life, and preventing chronic diseases. The follow-up to yesterday's explanation of how digestion works when functioning optimally, today's episode continues along the journey of digestion, explaining that if someone is not properly digesting their food, they will not be able to absorb and assimilate the nutrients from the foods they are eating, regardless of how healthful those foods are. Gray walks you through "Digestive Hell" – the myriad of diseases, conditions, and other unpleasantries that arise from a suboptimal digestive system. Every cell in an organism's tissues, organs, and systems relies on the ability to absorb nutrients from food properly. Factors such as stress, poor eating habits, gallbladder removal, and reduced stomach acid (HCl) levels can hinder digestion. Given the critical role of nutrition in maintaining healthy cells, any disruption in digestion can be harmful in various ways. A dysfunctional digestive system catalyzes a domino effect, impacting the functioning of other bodily systems. Topics Discussed: – Recap of optimal digestion – Start of digestive dysfunction – "Where's 'Digestive Hell'?" – Distraction, stress, sympathetic state – Pancreatic amylase – Dysbiosis, yeast, pathogens – It's all about acid/pH levels – Macronutrient degradation – Inputs for the production of HCl – Things that cause hypochlorhydria (stress, too much protein, zinc, other nutrient deficiencies, allergies…) – Dr. Jonathan Wright, Heidelberg Test, hypochlorhydria, pH for proper hormone function, and enzymatic action – Pasteur vs. Bechamp / Microorganisms vs. Terraine (Which is to blame?) – H. pylori – Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD, ulcers – Homework/experiment – Incomplete digestion, whole food particles in the small intestine – Gallbladder, bile, fats, cholecystokinin, liver, fat-free or low-fat diet as the cause of gallstones and gallbladder dysfunction, cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) – Burping up fish oil and delayed-release fish oil – Undigested proteins, microvilli, leaky gut/gut permeability, immune dysfunction – Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, healing her autistic child, GAPS Diet – Large intestine/colon, ileocecal valve, dysbiosis, inflammation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel, Crohn's disease, celiac disease/gluten reactivity, hormones/endocrine system, enzymes, heart health, allergies, butyric acid, and foul-smelling feces ________________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you're hearing, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a five-star rating!

Ep 079: Rapid Replays - Optimal Digestion - A Legacy Lecture from NTA Founder Gray Graham

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites. In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, brings back a historical lecture given by the founder of The Nutritional Therapy Association, Gray Graham. Gray discusses the optimal function of digestion in a way you've never heard it explained. Listen to this, then come back tomorrow to catch the next episode, where Gray explains digestive dysfunction. Many embark upon their wellness journey by cleaning up their diet. While this is a necessary step, the healthiest diet for an individual's bioindividual needs is of little benefit if they're not properly breaking down food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the body. The health of the organism is dependent upon the health of the organ systems, which are dependent upon the health of the organs, which is dependent upon the health of the tissues, which is dependent upon the health of the cells, which is dependent upon digestion. Thus, all wellness begins with digestion. Topics Covered: – Overview of digestion – Digestive inputs/volume – Six digestive functions – Digestion is a north-to-south process – where does it begin? – Digestion is fundamental to Nutritional Therapy – How's it all supposed to work? – Deep dive into optimal function ________________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you're hearing, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a five-star rating!

Ep 078: Rapid Replays - The Challenge of Leading Yourself with Miles Welch

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites. Episodes 76, 77, and 78 are all complementary in helping you structure and organize so you can roll confidently ahead with a solid plan. On this replay of Episode 24 of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz talks with Miles Welch, Founder and CEO of North Star Training Solutions, about the importance and difficulties of being a good leader - for ourselves. Miles is a leadership expert who is passionate about helping business owners build their leadership bench and develop their leadership potential. He has impacted thousands of executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners through his speaking and coaching, as well as the industry-leading developmental programming he has designed. Miles's varied leadership assignments include serving as a Platoon Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, pastoring one of the largest churches in the United States, serving as the Executive Director of the John Maxwell Leadership Center, and launching two successful businesses. Miles and his family live in the Atlanta area. During their conversation, Jamie and Miles cover many topics in relation to building resilience and having the discipline to level-up and ultimately succeed in all areas of life. Topics Discussed: * Entropy * Busyness * Resilience and the difference between pressure and stress * The shame of not "succeeding" * The key to high performance * Midlife Crisis * Doing a life audit and recalibration * Tips on resilience and holding yourself accountable * Staying up late versus getting up early * Stream of consciousness writing * Television detox * Journaling, reading (growing/learning) and Miles's morning routine * The reshaping of friendships as life gets busy - kids' activities and youth sports * Miles's evening routing * Quit eating earlier in the evening - the blood sugar rollercoaster - craving carbs at night - blood sugar's impact on sleep - waking up in the night * The upward or downward spiral of wellness and healthy versus unhealthy habits * Having accountability partners * Miles's primary core values #1 * Hiding things in life - vulnerability - talking with others - working with a counselor * Life hack for "receiving counseling from Brene Brown and other high-level professionals" * The three-pronged system for working through being "stuck" in life * Wisdom and the benefit of having mentors * Miles's primary core values #2 * Miles's primary core values #3 * Having a life that is integrated - having a surrendered relationship with the truth * Miles's primary core values #4 * The hardest challenge in leading yourself * The lie we tell ourselves about "the season coming" when everything will be different or easier - not living in the now * Don't squander another minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade… * The upward spiral or the downward spiral * The best pre-workout * Being kind to yourself * Getting better at failing * Bounce-back rate - falling off the wagon - small vices * Miles's favorite self-improvement resources ___________________ Email Miles Welch: Miles@northstartraining.com Website: https://northstartraining.com/ Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themileswelch/ https://www.instagram.com/themileswelch/ Books mentioned: Developing the Leader Within You - John Maxwell The Endurance: Legendary Antarctic Expedition - Caroline Alexander The Greatest Generation - Tom Brokaw ________________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you're hearing, please don't forget to subscribe and give us those five-star ratings!