Field Notes: An Exploration of Functional Medicine Rob Downey, MD, IFMCP

On this episode, I’m joined by women’s health and hormones expert Dr. Mariza Snyder. 
 
Dr. Mariza illuminates the critical connection between glucose and insulin levels and how they impact our hormones and energy. Blood sugar is often misunderstood and not talked about enough, so this conversion is truly an eye-opener. 
 
We also discuss ways to take your power and freedom back with the help of a great practitioner. 
 
She also gives us practical advice to help you along your health journey. 
 
Enjoy this fascinating episode as we dive deep into women’s health and wellness. 
 
[1:40] - Dr. Mariza’s health journey
[4:30] - Blood Sugar-Hormone-Energy Connection
[14:45] - The power of wearable monitors like Oura Rings and Glucose meters
[19:12] - Importance of breakfast and how and when to fast
[28:30] - How a health plan creates peace, security, and freedom



Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert, and the author of eight books. The newest book, The Essential Oils Menopause Solution, focuses on solutions for women in perimenopause and menopause, and the #1 National Bestselling book, The Essential Oils Hormone Solution, focuses on balancing women’s hormones naturally.
 
She has lectured at wellness centers, conferences, and corporations for the past fifteen years on hormone health, metabolic health, nutrition, and detoxification. She has been featured on Dr. Oz, Oprah Magazine, Fox News Health, MindBodyGreen, and many publications. Dr. Mariza is also the host of the top-rated Essentially You Podcast (with over 6 million downloads) designed to empower women to become the CEO of their health. Check out her website, drmariza.com, for women's hormone tips, including recipes and supplementation.
 

Metabolism and weight loss expert Nagina Abdullah joins me for a fascinating podcast episode. Nagina has been helping women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond get lean and feeling their best for many years. 
We’re so fortunate to have her share her best insights and tips today so you can learn how to easily boost your metabolism and energy WITHOUT restrictive dieting. 
Yes, you can eat healthy and delicious real food, lose weight, and feel amazing. Nagina shows you how. 
In this episode, you’ll learn… 
[2:32] Meaning of Masala (spicy) Body
[5:39] Timing, adding, and pairing food 
[16:40] The number one reason women are losing 10-20 plus pounds
[25:35] Why diets don’t work
[32:40] Truth about portion sizes
[37:43] Using spices as a tool for flavor and high metabolism 
Nagina Abdullah, founder of Masala Body, is a health coach for female professionals, corporate executives, and 7-figure entrepreneurs.
She teaches tested and perfected metabolism-boosting strategies to help women lose 20-40 pounds while working 60+ hours a week, even if they have tried everything.
Nagina has a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, an MBA from NYU Stern AND worked for a top 4 consulting firm as a management consultant before starting her health coaching business. She has been featured in Health.com, Business Insider, People.com, and many more prominent publications!
Get Her Sweet Spice PDF eGuide Here:
https://masalabody.com/sweetspicepdf/
 

Dr. Elena Villanueva joins the podcast to discuss a new era in health and healing. We talk about getting to the real root causes of disease, like stress, trauma, and even generational trauma. She breaks down the often misunderstood topics of energy medicine, quantum science, and much more. 
Join us for this fascinating conversation and learn how to go beyond pills and prescriptions and get to the true root causes of disease. 
Join Dr. V's Masterclass here: https://inflammationmasterclass.com/?oid=7&affid=2801
In this episode:
2:05 - Moving beyond pills and prescriptions
7:00 - Making holistic and functional health more accessible
9:10 - A new era in health and healing
13:45 - Case study: from diabetes and depression to healthy and happy
23:00 - The science of Energetic medicine
27:27 - A new awareness of health and disease
34:20 - Understanding quantum science
 

Carol Comfort joins the podcast again for an enlightening conversation about health coaching and finding your personal path to healing. 
 
They discuss having a tailored plan for health because everyone’s journey is unique and it’s critical to follow your own path forward.
 
Dr. Rob and Carol talk about where to start and how important it is to create tiny but powerful habits. 
Don’t miss this wonderful episode of The Field Notes Podcast. 
You’ll learn about… 
[3:20] - Connection: The key to success
[5:45] - Integrating health coaching and practical modern medicine
[9:20] - The power of small, positive action steps
[22:30] - Achieving more by doing less
[27:00] Carol’s favorite health books
Carol Comfort is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. 
After working in a functional medicine clinic for several years, she began her own private practice. Carol lives in Homer, Alaska, with her husband and their pup Tuuli on 20 peaceful acres where they raised two very independent children.
Carol enjoys hikes through the woods, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. Yoga and swimming are also regular parts of her fitness routine. In the summer, she swims in the small pond just out my front door. To help keep herself grounded and balanced, she’s kept a regular meditation practice for the last 20 years. She’s also a classically trained pianist and maintains a lively piano studio.
Connect with Carol here. And you can download here App here.  

Dr. Keesha Ewers joins the podcast to shed light on a topic that’s too often in the shadows: Sex Health. They discuss hormones, “life force,” trauma, the nervous system, and more. They also dive deep into what is “Functional Sexology,” a term coined by Dr. Keesha. 
 
Dr. Keesha tells us about what she calls the “yellow brick road” of growth, healing, and gaining wisdom and strength. 
 
You’ll learn about… 
 
[5:00] - The innocence of infancy to the wisdom of elderhood
[8:23] - What Ayurveda says about libido and life force
[12:05] - How heartbreak, betrayal, and trauma impact your health, hormones, and libido
[21:00] - How your body can be hyper-vigilant and how it can lead to chronic disease
[26:50] - Reducing stress vs. your relationship to stress
[37:00] - Why stages of development are supposed to be hard
[42:00] - 5 places to look for root causes
 
Dr. Keesha Ewers is a board certified Functional and Ayurvedic medical practitioner, as well as Doctor of Sexology, family practice ARNP (advanced registered nurse practitioner), a trauma informed therapist, Huachumera (medicine woman trained in the use of plant medicine from Peru), and a Reiki Master. She is registered in Washington state in clinical hypnotherapy and certified in EMDR, Brainspotting, the Enneagram, and mediumship and Angel Therapy. Dr. Keesha is also a certified MAPS MDMA therapist. She is the founder of a new branch of medicine called Functional Sexology.
Dr. Keesha practices what she calls Mystic Medicine. Mystic Medicine sees EVERYTHING as God, including illness and suffering. She has seen that once the lesson is learned, the struggle is relieved. Dr. Ewers developed the 4 Pillar Freedom Framework and founded the Academy for Integrative Medicine to train people who are passionate about empowering themselves and then empowering others to heal themselves. Her Integrative Medicine Health Coach Certification Program is the only health coach program that trains coaches in Functional Medicine, Ayurveda, Positive Psychology, the Enneagram, Sexology, and laboratory testing.
https://www.drkeesha.com/
 

In this episode, Dr. Rob is joined by Dr. Anna Cabeca to bring clarity to the often complex topic of women’s health and hormones. 
Women suffering from conditions like fatigue, hormone imbalances, skin and hair issues, mood swings, hot flashes, and more, are often told it’s a normal part of aging. 
Dr. Anna is here to clear the confusion and offer real solutions and relief. 
You’ll learn about…
[3:43] Misconceptions regarding bioidentical hormones
[8:18] The importance of nutrition and lifestyle
[15:53] The power of positive self-talk
[23:01] Why we need healthy fats in our diet
[29:13] The connection between trauma and women’s health
Anna Cabeca, DO, OBGYN, FACOG, is the best-selling author of The Hormone Fix KetoGreen 16 and MenuPause. Dr. Anna is triple board certified and a fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. 
She holds special certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She lectures frequently on these topics throughout the world to large audiences and is known nationally as The Girlfriend Doctor and is the host of The Girlfriend Doctor show. 
She has personally developed natural products to help women balance hormones and thrive through menopause, including the highly acclaimed Julva® cream for the vulva and MightyMaca® Plus, a powerful superfood blend. She now lives in Dallas with her daughters, horses, and dogs.