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

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/

In this 61st episode we explore just how something like gluten, a protein found in grains, can be a significant driving force in the development and expression of anxiety, depression, and really any other mental/emotional concern.

We will discuss the role of the vagus nerve, the blood brain barrier, the gut barrier, antibody cross-reaction, GAD enzymes, deep cerebellar nuclei, purkinjie cells, and more! Yep nerdy stuff here, but fascinating and empowering once you see the connections.

Don't let something like anxiety or depression go untreated. Often times it is something you are doing every day that drives the whole business.



Anxiety and depression in adult patients with celiac disease
on a gluten-free diet

⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20533598/⁠

 

Extra-intestinal manifestations of non-celiac gluten
sensitivity: An expanding paradigm

⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29662290/⁠

 

Gluten Sensitivity

⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26605537/⁠

In this 60th episode I just want to offer a short public service announcement to remember to take some time just for yourself. I have found myself beyond busy the past few weeks and missed my Monday podcast launch for the first time. Reality has struck and alas... This week and possibly next will be a bit tight for preparing, recording, and publishing episodes. And so as I dig myself out of my mountain of work, I, like you, need to take a breath and rest.

Listen in on this short offering, and take my words to heart. We are all the same when it comes to basic needs, and quiet time connecting to the outside world is essential for keeping ourselves vital, productive, and awesome!