Functional Medicine Meets Faith

Karin Allumbaugh, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Kingdom-led Business
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you realized that adding in one more prescription is not the way to get you healing? Do you feel like your healthcare team doesn’t quite understand what’s making you sick? Are you tired of the shame that you feel when you are told that your health is getting worse and not better? And are you finally ready for a different approach- one that empowers you and fills you up and one that has God in the midst of your healing journey? I’m Karin Allumbaugh, functional medicine practitioner, Kidney Care Blueprint founder, and your host for the Functional Medicine meets Faith podcast. As a former pharmaceutical researcher, I recognized that there was another approach to more and more prescriptions in the quest to achieve health. And when my mom was diagnosed with kidney disease, I saw first hand the problems inherent with our healthcare system, I saw so many recommendations that didn’t make sense scientifically and I also recognized that this approach left little room for God in the midst. And that’s where the Kidney Care Blueprint came from. This podcast further expands on those things that will help you heal, with kidney disease or beyond- autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or blood sugar regulation issues, and more. We’ll uncover the foods and nutritional strategies that help you to heal. We will uncover the root causes that are contributing to your symptoms. We will talk about what is wrong with your current approach with your doctors and healthcare team. And most importantly, we will uncover the alternative therapies, the herbal remedies and supplements, the lifestyle changes that you need to finally go from fearful to courageous, as you are empowered to rest in God’s truths for your healing journey. Ready to get started? Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the Kidney Care Blueprint! Visit the website. www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com Email us. contact@thrivenaturalnutrition.com

  1. JAN 28

    23. Are your Medications Fixing You or Making Things Worse? (The Band-Aid Approach vs Root-Cause Healing)

    Are you taking your prescriptions faithfully but still feeling worse? Do your labs look “normal” while your body feels anything but? In this episode, Karin Allumbaugh shares the functional medicine perspective on why so many chronic conditions aren’t healed by managing numbers alone. We walk through the three most prescribed medications in the U.S. — statins, metformin, and levothyroxine — and explain how they often silence symptoms without addressing the inflammation, gut issues, nutrient deficiencies, and stress driving disease underneath. You’ll learn why cholesterol is often a messenger, why lowering blood sugar doesn’t always fix insulin resistance, and why thyroid meds may not resolve fatigue, brain fog, or weight gain. This faith-centered conversation offers hope, clarity, and a root-cause path toward real healing — by partnering with how God designed the body to heal. 👉 Learn more or book a free strategy session at www.thrivefunctionalmedicine.health

    14 min

  2. JAN 15

    22. Fear, Shame and the Mid-January Reset

    By mid-January, many people feel discouraged, unmotivated, or burdened by shame over goals they’ve already abandoned. In this episode of Functional Medicine Meets Faith, Karin Nicole Allumbaugh invites you to pause the pressure and embrace a different kind of reset—one rooted in faith, grace, and intentional action rather than fear or perfection. This conversation reframes New Year’s resolutions through a biblical lens, helping listeners release guilt, reconnect with God’s direction, and take small, courageous steps forward—especially when motivation feels absent. In This Episode, We Cover: Why January often becomes a month of survival rather than transformation How fear and shame quietly derail motivation and progress The difference between striving for change and partnering with God Why motivation often follows action—not the other way around How identity in Christ shapes sustainable habits and healing Practical ways to reset your goals without guilt or overwhelm Key Themes & Takeaways: ✨ You are not behind—God’s timing is not your calendar ✨ Fear and shame are not from God and should not lead your decisions ✨ Healing and growth happen through small, faithful steps ✨ Identity drives behavior—who you believe you are matters ✨ God calls us to courage, not perfection Scripture Referenced: 2 Corinthians 5:17 — You are a new creation in Christ Romans 8:1 — No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus Isaiah 61:7 — God exchanges shame for joy Exodus 14:14 — “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” Joshua 1:9 — Be strong and courageous Genesis 1:26–27, 31 — Created in God’s image and called “very good” Psalm 139:14 — Fearfully and wonderfully made John 10:10 — Called to abundant life Practical Reset Questions: Where have fear or shame been influencing my decisions? What is God calling me toward in this season—not just this year? What one small action can I take today that aligns with who God says I am? Resources Mentioned: 📘 Atomic Habits by James Clear “Motivation is unreliable and often follows action—not the other way around.” Final Encouragement: Past failures do not define your future. Fear does not get the final word. God calls you forward with courage, grace, and purpose—one faithful step at a time. Next Steps: If you’re ready to reset your health journey with clarity and faith, book a strategy session at:   www.thrivefunctionalmedicine.health

    17 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    21. Playing Small and Settling - Taking Steps to Get out of Your Own Way

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 🌿 What it really means to “play small” in your healing journey—and how fear keeps you stuck. 💡 How to recognize when guilt, shame, or routine are running your decisions instead of faith. 💪 A personal story of overcoming physical setbacks and reclaiming strength. ✝️ Why inviting Christ into your healing process changes everything—from mindset to motivation. 🕊 How to stop letting your diagnosis dictate your destiny and step into your God-given purpose. Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” John 10:10 — “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Reflection Questions: Where in your health or life are you playing small? What step of faith could you take this week to honor your body and the life God gave you? Are your decisions led by fear—or by the quiet guidance of the Holy Spirit? Connect with Karin: 🌐 www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com 📸 Instagram: @karin.allumbaugh.health

    16 min
  4. 20. Overcoming the Limiting Beliefs of your Diagnosis with Guest Karen Dwyer, MS to Success

    10/19/2025

    20. Overcoming the Limiting Beliefs of your Diagnosis with Guest Karen Dwyer, MS to Success

    What if the very diagnosis meant to define your condition has also limited your healing? In this episode, Karin Allumbaugh is joined by Karen Dwyer, MS to Success Coach, to explore how labels like “chronic” or “incurable” can quietly shape your mindset, your choices, and ultimately, your results. Karen shares her own story of transformation and offers three powerful mindset shifts to help you reclaim hope, agency, and healing after a difficult diagnosis. Together, we unpack how to rewrite the story you’ve been handed—and why what you believe about your diagnosis matters as much as the treatment itself. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 1️⃣ How to Stay Hopeful When the Prognosis Sounds Hopeless Why your mindset shapes your healing—and how to guard it when medical conversations get heavy. 2️⃣ How to Find Practitioners Who Support Real Healing Ways to connect with alternative and integrative providers who empower, not discourage, your progress. 3️⃣ Who You Need to Become to Shift Your Healing How to shift from fighting your diagnosis to loving yourself through your diagnosis. Key Takeaways: 💡 Your diagnosis doesn’t define you—it’s just information. 💡 Healing starts with believing you’re capable of it. 💡 You can rewrite the narrative that’s been handed to you—and when you do, your body responds.  If this episode spoke to you, please: ✅ Leave a review on Apple or Spotify—it helps more people find the show.  https://us06web.zoom.us/clips/share/MTSDHZe5SvqU3Treki-iOw ✅ Follow Functional Medicine meets Faith so you never miss a new episode. Connect with Karen Dwyer: Podcast: Talk Healing to Me Website: www.mstosuccess.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkarendwyer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamkarendwyer/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dwyer-/ Free Masterclass: 3 Steps to Have Success with MS –https://go.mstosuccess.com/   Connect with Karin Allumbaugh: Website: www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com Instagram: @karin.allumbaugh.health Email: info@kidneycareblueprint.com

    37 min

  5. 08/21/2025

    19. The Fallacies of the Dreaded Kidney Diet

    Think you need to cut protein, salt, bananas, or beans to protect your kidneys? Think again. In this episode, I’m busting the biggest myths about the “kidney diet” and showing you how overly restrictive rules can actually make things worse. From protein-energy wasting and muscle loss, to the hidden phosphorus and potassium in processed foods, we’re digging into the science of what really drives kidney decline. You’ll learn: Why slashing protein too far backfires in CKD The truth about sea salt, sodium, and processed foods Why fruits and veggies (yes—even potatoes and bananas!) improve survival in CKD The real danger of food additives with hidden phosphorus and potassium It’s time to ditch the fear, simplify your food choices, and rediscover eating as part of your healing.   👉 Hit play now and find out how to eat for kidney health without the stress.   References for Today’s Episode Review on Protein-Energy Wasting & Sarcopenia in CKD, Clinical Kidney Journal, 2020 Padial, M., Taylor, A., Sabatino, A. et al. From ultra-processed foods towards healthy eating for CKD patients: a proposal of educational infographics. J Nephrol 37, 323–329 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-023-01817-3 Front. Nutr., 27 March 2024, Sec. Nutritional Epidemiology, Volume 11 - 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1359229 Kranz S, Sharma B, Pourafshar S, Mallawaarachchi I, Ma JZ, Scialla JJ. Fruit and Vegetable Intake Patterns, Kidney Failure, and Mortality in Adults with and without Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States. J Nutr. 2024 Jul;154(7):2205-2214. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.05.008. Epub 2024 May 15. PMID: 38754840; PMCID: PMC11282494.

    15 min

  6. 08/07/2025

    18. Gut Health, Kidney Decline & the Truth About Heartburn Meds

    If you’re taking a PPI (like omeprazole or the “little purple pill”) to manage heartburn or reflux—and your labs keep getting worse—this episode is for you. Today we uncover the surprising truth about conventional heartburn treatments, the damage they can do to your gut and kidneys, and what you can do to start healing from the inside out. What You’ll Learn: How common heartburn drugs (like PPIs) contribute to chronic kidney disease The link between poor digestion, gut inflammation, and kidney decline  What the research says: real data on how PPI use damages kidney tissue   Natural, functional alternatives: HCl, digestive enzymes, and gut-healing support   A real-life story of freedom: how Lisa ditched the PPI and healed her gut + kidneys   A faith-based reminder that God didn’t design you to live broken—He designed you to heal Scripture Mentioned: John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Resources Mentioned Association between Proton Pump Inhibitors and Kidney Disease – A large body of research shows that long-term PPI use can lead to chronic kidney injury and decline, even in people without obvious symptoms.   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10762285/ Listener Highlight: "For the first time in years, I can eat without fear. No more burning, no more belly pain, and I’m off the meds. I feel like I’ve got my life back—and my kidneys are finally healing too." – Lisa, podcast listener + client How to Leave a Review:   Leave a review on Apple or Spotify—it helps more people find the show.  https://us06web.zoom.us/clips/share/MTSDHZe5SvqU3Treki-iOw Join my Free Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1A47rZnu76/ Learn more at www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com

    15 min

  7. 07/30/2025

    17. The #1 Longevity Health Hack

    If you’re ready for the #1 longevity hack that helps you live longer and better—while also improving kidney function—this episode is for you! We’re talking about one simple thing that lowers your risk of early death, protects your kidneys, improves your blood sugar and blood pressure, lifts depression, boosts your mood, and gives you more energy. (Hint: It’s not a pill!) Join me, Karin Nicole Allumbaugh—Functional Medicine Practitioner & Christian Kidney Care Coach—as I share why movement and exercise are truly the most powerful biohacks for anyone, at any level. You’ll learn: What studies show about exercise lowering risk of death and improving kidney health How even small amounts of daily movement change your labs Simple ways to start (whether you’re exhausted, limited in mobility, or out of practice) Why fear, pain, or embarrassment don’t have to hold you back A faith-based reminder that your body is designed to move This episode is FUN, relatable, full of hope, and packed with stats you can take to heart (and to your doctor!). Links: Learn more about The Kidney Care Blueprint: www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com Scriptures mentioned: James 1:5, Galatians 6:9    If this episode spoke to you, please: ✅ Leave a review on Apple or Spotify—it helps more people find the show.  https://us06web.zoom.us/clips/share/MTSDHZe5SvqU3Treki-iOw ✅ Follow Rooted for Healing so you never miss a new episode. References: How consistent exercise is linked to a 30-40% lower risk of death https://www.eatingwell.com/movement-for-longevity-study-11773321?utm_source=chatgpt.com 7000 Steps per Day:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00164-1/fulltext Only 75 minutes a week can have significant impact!  https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.068669 Lower all cause Mortality https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-19383-z?utm_source=chatgpt.com Resistance Training for CKD patients improved muscle mass, grip strength, walking capacity, and notably reduced CRP and A1c. https://bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-024-03547-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com   Scripture Mentioned: 1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…” Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

    20 min

  8. 07/16/2025

    16. The Prediabetes Trap: Why ‘Eat Less Sugar’ Isn’t Enough

    In this episode, Karin shares why prediabetes isn’t just about food and exercise. You’ll learn why typical advice like “eat less sugar” falls short, especially when it comes to kidney health, and how stress, toxins, and poor sleep play a much bigger role than you might realize. Karin also introduces The S.A.F.E. Method to help you start taking back control in a way that honors both your body and your faith. What You’ll Learn: Why prediabetes feels hard to control, even when you’re doing “all the right things.” How hidden factors like mercury exposure, sleep loss, and stress affect blood sugar. How prediabetes and kidney disease are linked. The S.A.F.E. Method: A simple, faith-rooted plan to break free from prediabetes. Research References: Bae W, et al. Toenail mercury and incident diabetes in young adults. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(10):3091-6. doi:10.2337/dc13-0267. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23423697/ Zohal MA, et al. The relationship between mercury exposure and prediabetes: Case-control study among car painters. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2024. doi:10.1007/s11356-024-30739-7. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39712637/ Cappuccio FP, et al. Quantity and quality of sleep and incidence of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(2):414-20. doi:10.2337/dc09-1124. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20007940/ Spiegel K, et al. Sleep curtailment in healthy young men is associated with decreased leptin levels, elevated ghrelin levels, and increased hunger and appetite. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2004;141(11):846-50. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15583226/ Links: Learn more about The Kidney Care Blueprint: www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com Scriptures mentioned: James 1:5, Galatians 6:9  If this episode spoke to you, please: ✅ Leave a review on Apple or Spotify—it helps more people find the show.  https://us06web.zoom.us/clips/share/MTSDHZe5SvqU3Treki-iOw ✅ Follow Rooted for Healing so you never miss a new episode.

    15 min
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About

Have you realized that adding in one more prescription is not the way to get you healing? Do you feel like your healthcare team doesn’t quite understand what’s making you sick? Are you tired of the shame that you feel when you are told that your health is getting worse and not better? And are you finally ready for a different approach- one that empowers you and fills you up and one that has God in the midst of your healing journey? I’m Karin Allumbaugh, functional medicine practitioner, Kidney Care Blueprint founder, and your host for the Functional Medicine meets Faith podcast. As a former pharmaceutical researcher, I recognized that there was another approach to more and more prescriptions in the quest to achieve health. And when my mom was diagnosed with kidney disease, I saw first hand the problems inherent with our healthcare system, I saw so many recommendations that didn’t make sense scientifically and I also recognized that this approach left little room for God in the midst. And that’s where the Kidney Care Blueprint came from. This podcast further expands on those things that will help you heal, with kidney disease or beyond- autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or blood sugar regulation issues, and more. We’ll uncover the foods and nutritional strategies that help you to heal. We will uncover the root causes that are contributing to your symptoms. We will talk about what is wrong with your current approach with your doctors and healthcare team. And most importantly, we will uncover the alternative therapies, the herbal remedies and supplements, the lifestyle changes that you need to finally go from fearful to courageous, as you are empowered to rest in God’s truths for your healing journey. Ready to get started? Get on the waitlist for the next cohort of the Kidney Care Blueprint! Visit the website. www.thrivenaturalnutrition.com Email us. contact@thrivenaturalnutrition.com

Information

  • Creator
    Karin Allumbaugh, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Kingdom-led Business
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Karin Allumbaugh
  • Show Website
    Functional Medicine Meets Faith