Better Medicine

In this Episode, Lynae Wood shares the concepts of Biophilic design and how that can improve our mental health. Health requires a truly holistic approach and this is a great example of how using approaches alternative to pharmaceuticals can be incredibly effective. Discussion points: 1. What Biophilic Design is and how it's used in Architecture and commercial design for health and wellness. 2. Some of the positive mental and even physical effects of this type of design and why it's becoming an important topic within the design community. 3. How Biophilic design can specifically improve our mental health. 4. How the listeners can affect small changes in their own home with some of these biophilic principles. Some literature regarding Biophilic design: - Roger Ulrich, 1984 - Nature View from Hospital Room - Enhancing Cognitive Performance and Physiological Benefit in Workspaces Through Patterns of Biophilic Design: A Restorative Approach - A Review of Psychological Literature on the Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Biophilic Design - Human-centred health-care environments: a new framework for biophilic design Guest Intro: Lynae Wood is an multi-award winning interior designer who draws on her background in environmental science to incorporate colors and textures found in nature to bring a sense of balance to a room. That perspective, combined with her unique style and personality creates a little magic, leaving you with a home you love to live in. Lynae believes that our homes can tell the story of who we are and that a thoughtfully designed space can bring a sense of wellness to those that reside there.Lynae Wood, Redefine Designs Co.www.RedefineDesignsCo.com

In this episode of the better medicine podcast, I speak with Dr. Jill Carnahan on mold toxicity and complex chronic illness. Dr. Jill shares her valuable insights both as a healer and as a patient who suffered with chronic illness. Mold toxicity is a very challenging subject with most practitioners not being aware or well versed in treating these patients. In situations like this, it's important to seek the expertise of a specialist like Dr. Jill who has vast knowledge about the topic as well as years of experience dealing with these chronic complex patients. We discuss: 1.  Her background and story as a patient and physician treating chronic disease while suffering from it herself. 2. What is mold toxicity and what are some common sources people can get them through? 3. What are some common symptoms that mold toxicity presents with? 4. What are the main tests you look to do for someone suspected of having mold toxicity? 5. Top tips for treatment approaches, environmental as well as supplemental/medication. 6. Why is mold toxicity and environmental toxicity as a whole so poorly understood in the conventional medical space? 7. How to navigate a difficult case of a patient who just isn't getting better. Guest Bio: Dr. Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine, a widely sought-after practice with a broad range of clinical services including functional medical consultations, nutritional consultations, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. As a survivor of breast cancer, Crohn’s disease, and toxic mold illness she brings a unique perspective to treating patients with complex illness. She specializes in searching for the underlying triggers that contribute to illness through cutting-edge lab testing and practicing personalized medicine. Featured in People magazine, Shape, Parade, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, First for Women, Townsend Newsletter, and The Huffington Post as well as seen on NBC News and Health segments with Joan Lunden, Dr. Jill is media savvy and full of wisdom. Her YouTube channel and podcast features live interviews with many of healthcare’s most respected clinicians. She co-authored the Personalized and Precision Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine Textbook with Dr. Mark Houston. Her new book, Unexpected: Finding Resilience though Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith is now available for purchase anywhere books are sold. She is executive producer, film writer and is featured in a new documentary about her journey overcoming illness called Doctor/Patient set to be distributed this year. A popular inspirational speaker and prolific writer, she shares her knowledge of hope, health and healing live on stage and through newsletters, blog articles, books, and social media posts! Her patients and fans alike are encouraged by her science-back medical knowledge delivered with authenticity, love, and humor. She is known for inspiring her audience to thrive even in the midst of difficulties. Please give her Instagram a follow @drjillcarnahan. Connect with Dr. Akhter Website: www.madinamedicine.com [http://www.madinamedicine.com] Email: info@madinamedicine.com [info@madinamedicine.com] Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter [http://www.instagram.com/dromarakhter] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/] Connect with Dr. Carnahan Website: jillcarnahan.com [https://mysig.io/oD7RxA68] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillcarnahan/ [https://www.instagram.com/drjillcarnahan/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironFunctionalMedicine [https://www.facebook.com/FlatironFunctionalMedicine]

Multiple Sclerosis is a complex autoimmune condition that is often poorly understood and requires a great deal of expertise to treat it effectively. My guest today, Dr. Erica Rivas does exactly that in her private practice focusing on a more holistic approach to Multiple Sclerosis. We also touch on other Neurological Autoimmune conditions that can affect the brain including Hashimoto's which is often not thought of as a brain condition but rather thyroid condition. Hashimoto's can have direct effects on the nervous system and often causes symptoms in these patients. We discuss: – Her medical background and why she went into Neurology. – What is Multiple Sclerosis and how does she treat it differently from other practitioners? – What are other autoimmune conditions that can affect the brain? – Is there potential for more holistic treatment options for autoimmune brain diseases? – How Hashimoto's affects the brain. – The Biggest challenges she faces with her patient population – Some success stories of patients with her approach. Guest Intro: Dr. Erica Rivas is the medical director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin. She is an expert in immunological disorders that affect the central nervous system, spinal cord and brain. She completed her fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at the University of Southern California. She is board-certified in Neurology. She is also the recipient of an educational grant award for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. She has been named a top doctor in Austin. Connect with Dr. Akhter: Website: www.madinamedicine.com [http://www.madinamedicine.com/] Email: info@madinamedicine.com [info@madinamedicine.com] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter [www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter] Facebook: www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin [http://www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin] Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter [http://www.instagram.com/dromarakhter] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter [www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter] Connect with Dr. Rivas Website: https://www.msnia.com/ [https://www.msnia.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/multiplesclerosisandneurology [https://www.facebook.com/multiplesclerosisandneurology] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_ericarivas [https://www.instagram.com/dr_ericarivas]

Nutrition can be one of the most complex topics in modern medicine with so much misinformation available on the Internet. In that type of climate, getting accurate and balanced information is very important. In this Episode, I discuss the foundations of good nutrition, building strong muscle mass, and losing body fat with Lauren Embree who can speak with excellent expertise given that she is not only a Functional Nutritionist but also a former Professional Tennis player having been through various health challenges and still reaching the peak of her fitness goals. We discuss: – Her background in professional sports and journey into the world of Nutrition. – The best overarching nutrition principles we can apply. – Discussing a bit of the nuance with nutritional research. – The best nutritional strategies to lose weight. – Best tips for building healthy muscle mass. – Best nutritional tips for an athlete. Guest Intro: Lauren Embree is the founder of Embree Wellness. She is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist and holds a B.S. in Sports Management. She is a graduate of The Academy of Functional Medicine and is board-certified through the Nutritional Therapy Association. As a former 2x National Champion and 5x All-American on the University of Florida Women’s Tennis Team, she finished her collegiate career ranked number 1 in the nation and went on to compete professionally on the WTA tour. In 2023, she was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame. Her experience as a collegiate and professional athlete has greatly influenced her passion for helping others optimize their bodies to feel their best every day. Her own health journey, having battled autoimmune flareups, chronic fatigue, inflammation, and poor skin and gut health, inspired her passion for holistic nutrition. Through this experience, she developed a deep understanding of how simple dietary and lifestyle changes can transform your health. Connect with Dr. Akhter Website: www.madinamedicine.com [http://www.madinamedicine.com/] Email: info@madinamedicine.com [info@madinamedicine.com] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter [https://app.clickup.com/t/www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter] Facebook: www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin [http://www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin] Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter [http://www.instagram.com/dromarakhter] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter [https://app.clickup.com/t/www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter] Connect with Lauren Embree Website: https://www.embreewellness.org/ [https://www.embreewellness.org/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lembree888/ [https://www.instagram.com/lembree888/]

Type 2 Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the Western world. Much of the emphasis in the medical community is based on medications for ‘treating’ Diabetes and oftentimes the discussion of diet and lifestyle gets left behind. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Janel Gordon about using a plant-based diet to improve and reverse your Type 2 Diabetes. Yes, reversing your Type 2 Diabetes is possible contrary to what we were taught in medical school. I hope you find this discussion beneficial. We discuss: - Her background starting in Lifestyle Medicine and how that translates into practice.  - What is the role of diet in type 2 diabetes? - What she recommends to patients when she talks to them about type 2 diabetes management.  - What aspects of diet do we get wrong when talking about Type 2 Diabetes  - A few case studies of patients with Type 2 Diabetes that have benefited from diet changes.  Guest Bio: Dr. Janel Gordon, M.D., DipABOM, DipABLM, is a Board Certified Family, Obesity & Lifestyle Medicine Physician. Dr. Gordon is certified in Plant-based Nutrition by the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and Cornell University. She is certified in Culinary Coaching by Harvard Medical School, The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Gordon was recently selected as a Leading Physician Well-being Fellow with the American Academy of Family Physicians, through which she is receiving further training in leadership development, program development, and quality improvement. Dr. Gordon has special interests in culinary medicine, food security, community development, and sustainable efforts. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, and discovering delicious and nutritious foods near and far. Connect with Dr. Gordon https://www.linkedin.com/in/janel-gordon-md-dipabom-dipablm-18ba339b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janel-gordon-md-dipabom-dipablm-18ba339b/] https://www.instagram.com/janelgordonmd/ [https://www.instagram.com/janelgordonmd/] Connect with Dr. Akhter Website: www.madinamedicine.com [http://www.madinamedicine.com] Email: info@madinamedicine.com [info@madinamedicine.com] Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter [http://www.instagram.com/dromarakhter]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/]