A Functional Approach with Dr. Jim Chialtas Jim Chialtas, DACM, L.Ac.

In this 67th episode I do not discuss one of my favorite heavy metal bands, Black Sabbath, but rather I discuss various concepts around Heavy Metal accumulation in the body and how they are tested. Indeed, there are many opinions about this topic and much of what I say here in this episode are fighting words to say the least.

It is a sad but true thing in the Alternative Medicine field that we tend to have our "specialists" who see what they want to see in just about every person. The Heavy Metal folks are certainly out there and want to blame just about everything under the sun on Heavy Metal accumulation. And guess what? They can find it in just about every person who walks in their door. And boy do they have protocols to sell the clear these things from your system.

Well like most things in life, it is much more complicated than that. Knowing what you are working with is essential which means getting the appropriate testing is where you need to start.

In this episode we will discuss some common heavy metal burdens, how they may present symptomatically, and several different types of testing which may or may not be appropriate. I also finish up with a few tips on what to do if you do have these concerns.

In this 66th episode I break free from my typical monolog and interview a very special guest... My wife Debbie. Debbie is an artist and offers some very interesting insights into how developing and practicing creative arts can help with wellness.

In keeping with my interest of exploring 'outside the box thinking' regarding health and wellness, I could think of no better person to interview than Debbie. Her use of color and design inspires smiles from everyone who sees her work.

You can check out her website at: https://www.noodleslaces.com/

And her Instagram at: @NoodlesLaces

In this 65th episode I share the 12-month follow up on my cardiovascular case study I have been running on myself. A year ago I found, because I proactively looked, some plaque in one of my coronary arteries. I made some significant changes to diet, lifestyle, and supplement strategies, and look forward to sharing with you all just how it turned out!

Cardiovascular health is one area of medicine that needs a serious overhaul. Limiting yourself to the basic lipid (cholesterol) model of heart disease will tend to turn you into one of the statics. Yep... roughly 50% of the people who have a heart attack have high cholesterol, and the other 50% normal or even low cholesterol! So is it really the cholesterol that is making the difference? Or is there something else?


"Normal LDL-Cholesterol Levels Are Associated With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in the Absence of Risk Factors"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29241485/

In this 64th episode I discuss a recent trip I took to a local Southern California hot spring resort. I expand on some of the benefits and concerns regarding soaking in natural spring waters.

I end with a story of how a hot spring helped protect me from a massive gluten exposure!

In this 63rd episode we discuss artificial food coloring. The seemingly innocent little candy in the bowl of the restaurant register may not be so innocent after all.

We will discuss how these dyes can increase food sensitivity reactions, autoimmunity, and neuroinflammation. And we discuss two studies which look at the impacts of these chemicals on the autistic populations, the ADHD populations, nystagmus (shaking of the eyes), and the "behavior of most kids."



Food color and autism: A meta-Analysis

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32006369/



Dietary management of nystagmus

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/469522/

In this 62nd episode we discuss the benefits of a particular medicinal mushroom native to the temperate & sub-artic forests of Northern Europe. The Amanita muscaria mushroom is one you know well without even knowing it. With it's bright red cap and white spots, the Amanita presents itself in all its glory and has secured itself as the quintessential mushroom seen in cartoons, ads, art, etc. It is the mushroom we all think about when we think about a mushroom.

It has been used throughout the centuries for many things but is most commonly used for it's calming impact. The Amanita is helpful for stress, anxiety, & sleep quality, without the addictive qualities of medications for the same purpose.

Listen in as I discuss some of the details surrounding this magnificent mushroom, and even some fun lore about how Santa Clause may be involved.



Check out Psyched Wellness for a really wonderful Amanita muscaria tincture (not a sponsor):

https://psyched-wellness.com/