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Solving the Puzzle with Dr. Datis Kharrazian
Episode 80: Dr. Darla Booth DC, AFMC, Managing Autoimmune Patients Successfully
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In this Practitioner Spotlight episode, we sit down with Dr. Darla Booth, a seasoned chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner based in Los Gatos, California. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Booth has transitioned her practice to focus on complex functional medicine cases, with a special emphasis on autoimmunity. Join us as Dr. Booth shares how discovering autoimmune markers in her own and her daughter’s bloodwork inspired a deep dive into strategies for managing and calming autoimmune conditions. We explore the evolution of her clinical approach, the challenges of educating and supporting patients, and the power of group care and community in fostering healing.
Dr. Darla Booth, DC, AFMC specializes in helping patients with complex health issues identify their root cause, improve symptoms, and stack habits to optimize their health with functional medicine protocols. Her care complements the support patients receive through Western medicine; taking a big picture approach to health through lab work analysis, lifestyle adjustments, and nutritional support. Chiropractic and other conservative, natural care options for adults and children are Dr. Booth's specialties. She is skilled in nutritional counseling for food allergies, cranial therapy, TMJ treatment, and more.
To become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/
00:00 Discovering autoimmunity in bloodwork
03:56 Launching an autoimmune program
07:08 Starting group coaching sessions
11:56 Helping clients rebuild health
13:20 Addressing leaky gut in autoimmune
19:00 Understanding digestion and gut health
21:52 Creating a treatment plan
23:58 Small shifts for immune health
26:47 Prioritizing health and wellness choices
29:43 How food impacts your body
33:57 Functional medicine's credibility and impact
37:18 Using RUPA and Fullscript
39:48 Resources for practitioners and individuals
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Episode 81: How Skin Reveals Deeper Health Issues and Nutritional Imbalances
31:41|In this episode, we’re diving into the world of skin health, from what radiant, healthy skin should look like to the many signals our skin can send about underlying health issues. We'll explore common skin manifestations, nutritional deficiencies, and practical strategies to support skin, from dryness and discoloration to eczema, rosacea, and more. Whether you're a practitioner or someone interested in optimizing your own health, this episode bridges complex science and practical tips you can apply today. Register for the Nutrition-Focused Physical Assessment Master Class with Dr. Liz Lipski at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/lipski-nutritionTo become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Skin health and nutritional basics03:56 Vitamin A and bruising07:41 Eating healthy fats and fish12:14 Identifying allergies and histamine response15:07 Using food sensitivity tests19:14 Testing for sensitivities and allergies21:16 Food sensitivities and sweating25:26 Talking about severe jaundice27:59 Health effects of silver supplements30:30 Closing and resources for listenersEpisode 79: Nutrition Focused Physical Assessment with Dr. Liz Lipsky
27:20|In this episode, Dr. Liz Lipsky, a leader in clinical nutrition and author of Digestive Wellness dives into the foundational practice of nutrition-focused physical assessment.Dr. Lipsky explains how simple observations like cracks in a friend’s tongue over dinner or dark circles under a child’s eyes, can become powerful clues in solving chronic and complex health puzzles. She emphasizes the importance of integrating physical assessments with patient history, lifestyle intake forms, and lab data, demonstrating how even a five-minute exam can shape the entire care plan.Through case stories and practical examples, Dr. Lipsky illustrates the vital role nutrition professionals play in the healthcare team, and why rediscovering hands-on assessment is a key to better outcomes in our modern, often rushed medical world. Register for the Nutrition-Focused Physical Assessment Master Class with Dr. Liz Lipski at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/lipski-nutritionTo become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 "Nutrition-Focused Physical Assessment"03:37 "Body Clues and Nutrition Insights"09:48 "Chronic Health Needs Lifestyle Focus"12:28 "Nutrition's Power in Healing"17:21 "Riboflavin for Odor Relief"19:05 "First Impressions Matter"22:47 Cooking, Nutrition, and Self-Care26:08 "Functional Medicine Training Hub"Episode 78: How Mitochondrial Dysfunction Drives Fatigue, Depression, and Chronic Pain Syndromes
22:52|In today’s episode, we’re diving into the impact of mitochondria on chronic conditions like fatigue, pain, and depression. You’ll hear why optimizing basic factors like sleep, movement, and stable blood sugar isn’t just “wellness” advice, but can actually be game changers for patients struggling with conditions such as leaky gut, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia, or neuropathic pain.Datis Kharrazian unpacks the science behind mitochondrial bioenergetics and reveals how even the tiniest steps, like improving circadian rhythm or addressing subtle nutritional imbalances can help untangle the complex web of chronic illness. You’ll also learn about the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction, increased pain sensitivity, and how negative neuroplasticity can turn temporary pain into a lasting syndrome. Whether you’re a practitioner, a patient, or someone passionate about functional medicine, this episode will empower you to look beyond protocols and focus on the underlying mechanisms that drive recovery.Register for Chronic Fatigue and Pain Syndromes Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/chronic-fatigue-and-pain-syndromesTo become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Circadian Rhythm Improves Recovery09:38 Mitochondria, Calcium, and Chronic Pain10:46 Chronic Pain Linked to ER Stress15:42 Mitochondrial Health Relieves Chronic Pain17:34 "Fibromyalgia Mechanisms and Pain Reduction"21:41 "Functional Medicine Training Resources"Episode 77: The Root Causes of Chronic Fatigue and Pain Syndromes
28:42|In this episode, Dr. Kharrazian dives into one of the most challenging and important topics facing both patients and practitioners: chronic fatigue and pain syndromes.If you've ever wondered why fatigue and pain are such stubborn and complex complaints, or why so many patients feel stuck despite having normal lab results, this conversation is for you. Dr. Kharrazian explores the critical role of cellular energy production—specifically mitochondrial bioenergetics—in recovery from injury and in managing conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. He breaks down how disruptions in energy pathways can cascade into mood issues, pain syndromes, and overall decreased resilience, and explains why simply treating symptoms isn’t enough.This episode also underscores the importance of going beyond a “one-solution” mindset, urging practitioners to delve deeper into the mechanisms that affect their patients’ energy levels. Register for Chronic Fatigue and Pain Syndromes Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/chronic-fatigue-and-pain-syndromesTo become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 "Understanding Fatigue and Bioenergetics"04:58 "ATP: Key to Energy and Health"08:00 "Optimizing Energy and Resilience"11:34 Mitochondria and Fatigue Factors15:57 Anemia and Energy Function Insights17:48 Mitochondria: Origins and Clinical Relevance20:56 "Inherited vs. Acquired Mitochondrial Issues"23:50 Mitochondrial Function and Enzymes27:31 "Functional Medicine & Health Resources"Episode 76: Practical Functional Medicine
30:24|Dr. Dave Rakel introduces the ECHO model for medical decision making, a practical framework that evaluates four key factors: Efficacy (evidence of benefit), Cost, Harm (evidence of harm), and Opinion (patient preferences and bias). He emphasizes that treatment decisions should balance not only how well something works, but also its potential risks and its alignment with patient values.He explains his evidence-versus-harm rating system, grading evidence from A to C and potential harm from 1 to 3. The ideal intervention has strong evidence with minimal harm, but he notes that therapies with moderate evidence and low risk may often be preferable to those with stronger evidence and greater potential harm.Dr. Rakel also discusses the growing role of AI in medicine, comparing tools like Gemini, Perplexity, and Open Evidence. While AI can assist with research, he stresses that informed clinicians who use these tools thoughtfully achieve the best outcomes.Finally, he shares clinical insights, including the use of low-dose naltrexone for fibromyalgia, the broad utility of amitriptyline, the cognitive risks associated with anticholinergic burden, and research linking processed foods, alcohol, and sugar to cognitive decline—while showing that shifting toward whole foods may significantly reduce that risk.This guest speaker Master Class is part of the Kharrazian Institute Functional Medicine Education Program. To become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. 00:00 "Balancing Evidence and Harm"05:52 "Integrative Medicine: Art and Science"08:16 "PPI Use: Risks and Bias"10:03 "Risks of Long-Term PPI Use"15:06 "Top Drugs for Fibromyalgia"17:04 "Life's Essential 9 Explained"21:22 "Optimizing Health to Prevent Dementia"23:51 Best and Worst Brain Beverages29:13 Functional Medicine Training ResourcesEpisode 75: Dr. Dave Rakel on the Placebo Effect
42:30|In this lecture, Dr. Dave Rakel explores the placebo effect—"the ability to stimulate self-healing without deception"—and reveals how perception, connection, and empathy are among the most powerful healing mechanisms available to practitioners.Dr. Rakel unpacks the neuroscience of perception, showing how our conditioned minds create physical responses that determine health or disease. He shares groundbreaking research: optimists live six years longer than pessimists, stress perception correlates with fibromyalgia pain severity, and how we view food (guilt vs. celebration) affects cortisol and weight gain.Through compelling studies, he demonstrates that therapeutic touch activates healing more effectively than pills, that clinician empathy measurably shortens the duration of the common cold and boosts immune markers (IL-8 and neutrophils), and that perceiving a caring connection can equal 8mg of morphine for pain relief. This guest speaker Master Class is part of the Kharrazian Institute Functional Medicine Education Program. To become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. 0:00 - The Placebo Effect: Self-Healing Without Deception8:20 - Perception Science: How Beliefs Create Physical Responses16:15 - Stress Perception & Disease: The Cortisol Cascade22:50 - Why SSRIs Barely Beat Placebo26:35 - Psychedelic Placebo Study: 65% Had Spiritual Experiences34:10 - Why Touch Beats Pills: Manual Therapy vs. Drugs42:30 - The Clinician Effect: Empathy = 8mg Morphine46:50 - Common Cold Study: Empathy Reduces Duration & Boosts Immunity55:40 - Patient 406: The Cost of DisconnectionEpisode 74: Practitioner Spotlight: Dr. Dave Boynton on Why Hypoglycemia Destroys Healing, Neurological Exams Save Lives & Cookie-Cutter Protocols Don't Work
27:44|In this Practitioner Spotlight, Dr. Dave Boyton—a Cincinnati-based functional medicine specialist—shares how he transformed his practice by integrating neurological assessment with functional medicine. After his wife was misdiagnosed with multiple autoimmune conditions, Dr. Boynton dove deep into functional medicine and discovered what most practitioners miss: the neurological component.Dr. Boyton reveals why hypoglycemia isn't just "getting hangry"—it's frontal lobe dysfunction that sabotages healing. He explains why most functional medicine exams are inadequate, how he turned his intake into a "show and tell" experience that builds patient confidence, and why cookie-cutter protocols fail chronically ill patients.To become a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/. Try our 7-day free trial, no credit card required. 00:00 Functional Medicine Journey05:46 "Chiropractic, Neurology, and Individualized Care"10:00 Ambassadors of Hope in Healthcare11:59 Tinnitus Neurology Exercises Explained17:13 "Prioritizing Health and Wellness"21:20 Passion Key for Functional Medicine22:58 Evolving Functional Medicine Insights26:36 "Functional Medicine Training Resources"Episode 73: Navigating Breast Implant Illness
24:33|In this episode, our guest speaker, certified physician assistant Danielle Valoras explores breast implant illness (BII)—a clinical reality that remains widely misunderstood despite affecting millions of women. She unpacks why BII lacks an official diagnosis code, yet presents with a consistent constellation of symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, rashes, anxiety, and autoimmune-like conditions that are frequently misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or menopause.Danielle emphasizes the need for practitioners to consider implantable devices as contributors to immune burden. She discusses pattern recognition, the role of explantation in recovery, and why normal lab work doesn't rule out BII. Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone affected by breast implants, or curious about the intersection of implantable devices and chronic illness, this episode offers evidence-based insights you can use right away.Join us as we explore the structural and immunological mechanisms driving breast implant illness, providing practitioners with evidence-based insights to support the millions of women affected worldwide. Register at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/breast-implant-illnessFor patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Breast Implant Illness Symptoms Data03:41 Breast Implants and Hidden Symptoms07:10 "Understanding Breast Implant Illness"13:00 Navigating Breast Implant Shame16:04 Breast Implant Illness Awareness Growing17:26 "Understanding Symptoms and Triggers"20:55 Explantation for Improved Health24:20 Health Advice: Consult First