A Functional Approach with Dr. Jim Chialtas

Jim Chialtas, DACM, L.Ac.
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Daily

In this Podcast we will discuss topics relating to Functional Medicine, Self Improvement, & Wellness. Dr. Jim Chialtas has been in private practice in San Diego, CA since 2003 with a focus in Acupuncture & Functional Medicine. www.functionalmedicine-sandiego.com He designs and teaches continuing education courses on Functional Blood Chemistry for the online education company, Acupuncture Insights. He also designed and currently teaches a course on Functional Blood Chemistry for the Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) program at Five Branches University.

  1. 3d ago

    To Treat or Not to Treat: Infections in Autoimmunity

    In this 171st episode, I discuss a messy, though fascinating paradox: Infections can trigger autoimmune disease, they can worsen existing autoimmunity, and—surprisingly—some infections can actually protect against it. We’ll unpack the science, from molecular culprits and autoantibodies to the surprising role of helminths (parasitic worms) and peptides like tuftsin, and explore how clinicians decide when to treat an infection and when to let biology do its balancing act. Citations: Infections and autoimmunity--friends or foes? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19643667/ Infections: a double-edged sword in autoimmunity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847440/ Parasitic worms and inflammatory diseases https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16965287/ Helminth-Related Tuftsin-Phosphorylcholine Compound andits Interplay with Autoimmune Diseases https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30905098/

    46 min

  2. Jun 22

    The DNF-10 Peptide: A safe and effective pick for weight loss support

    In this 170th episode, I continue with my mini-series on Peptide Therapy with a product called Lipotone which contains the peptide DNF-10. This particular peptide can be a nice safe alternative to the Ozempic class of medications for things like weight loss. But it can also be a helpful player in reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar and insulin signaling, and more. I will admit that I have avoided working directly with weight loss cases in my practice, and like to think of supporting weight loss as more of a positive side-effect of an otherwise successful wellness effort. But there are some real reasons to lose that extra weight, if it is something you are carrying around. if you are struggling with those evening munchies, needing some assistance while on a dietary modification program, or just want to shed a few poinds, this episode may be for you!

    38 min

  3. Jun 15

    Early Testing for Alzheimer’s: The Alzheimer’s LINX with Chase Zittrauer from Cyrex Labs

    In this 169th episode, I speak with Chase Zittrauer, my rep for Cyrex Labs. We spent some time diving into one of the fastest-growing health crises of our time — Alzheimer’s and related dementias — and what cutting‑edge testing can reveal long before symptoms show up. We unpack the rising global and U.S. burden ofAlzheimer’s: the financial, emotional, and caregiving toll it takes on families. Then we’ll explore a provocative link many clinicians are watching — how COVID-19, long COVID, and immune dysregulation might influence brain health. We discuss a unique laboratory testing approach from Cyrex Labs - The Alzheimer's LINX panel - that looks for early immune signals of brain stress — antibodies to key brain proteins like amyloid beta and tau, as well as cross‑reactivity with pathogens, chemicals, and foods. We’ll explain why plaques and tangles aren’t the wholestory, why single‑target drugs fall short, and how lifestyle andmetabolic factors — think insulin and blood sugar — matter in prevention. Chase shares his own test results and what they revealed about pathogens, phthalates, and food triggers. We also cover the blood‑brain barrier, aluminum and other chemical neoantigens, oral pathogens, traumatic and emotional brain injury, and practical testing strategies, including Cyrex Array‑2, a fantastic leaky‑gut panel. If you have a family history of dementia, genetic risks, past head injuries, or just want earlier clarity about brain health, this episode is for you. Stick around — we’ll break down what the tests can tell you and what to do next. Check out Cyrex Labs Test Arrays Here! https://www.cyrexlabs.com/CyrexTestsArrays/tabid/136/Default.aspx And I am always available for an initial consultation. If you are feeling called... You can reach me here: https://afunctionalapproach.net/schedule-an-appointment

    44 min

  4. Jun 8

    Connection Is the Meaning of Life: How Real Connection Heals

    In this 168th episode, I discuss connection... I’ve always been a people person. I’m the one who smiles at a stranger in a lobby, who says hello without expecting anything back. Most mornings that greeting bounces off the world and keeps going — sometimes met with a smile, sometimes met with silence. I don’t take it personally; I don’t always know the story behind someone’s eyes. But I do feel compelled to notice people anyway. For me, that little act of connection is a spiritual practice. It’s how I show up in the world. We’re built for each other. Long before cities and screens, humans lived in tight bands of twenty to a hundred-fifty — communities that met, traded, raised children, and made life together. Science backs up what our hearts already know: people with strong social ties live longer, recover better, think more clearly, and suffer less from anxiety, depression, and isolation. Yet today, surrounded by millions, many of us feel lonelier than ever — scrolling instead of speaking, commenting instead of sharing a meal, passing by without eye contact. This episode is a gentle invitation. I’ll share a personal morning encounter, a recent gathering in Northern California that reminded me what true presence feels like, and simple, practical ways to rebuild community: volunteering, joining a hiking group, tending a community garden, or learning a new game with neighbors. These aren’t big, dramatic fixes — just small, mindful choices to lean toward people again. If you’re craving connection or wondering how to start, stay with me. This conversation is less about data and more about heart — about the magic that happens when we choose, intentionally, to be present for one another. Connection is waiting. Let’s take a step toward it together.

    36 min
  5. Circulation, Mind, and Medicine: Rethinking Erectyle Dysfunction with Dr. Jordan Barber

    Jun 1

    Circulation, Mind, and Medicine: Rethinking Erectyle Dysfunction with Dr. Jordan Barber

    In this 167th episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jordan Barber, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with over 20 years in clinical practice. He is the co-author of "Thinking in Chinese Medicine: A Patient's Guide to Acupuncture" (2026) and "Realigning Medicine: Building an Authentic, Fulfilling, and Thriving Healthcare Practice" (2025). Our focus today is on an important but often sidelined issue:erectile dysfunction. I hear about ED frequently from patients, usually as an aside to another medical concern — why is that? We’ll define ED and its varying levels, separate myths from facts, and explore distinctions between performance anxiety, behavioral causes like problematic pornography use, and physical drivers. We’ll discuss whether ED always comes down to circulation, how Chinese Medicine frames theproblem (circulation, hormones, mood, metabolic disease, etc.), and what conventional medicine offers — including how PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra/Cialis) work by upregulating eNOS to improve blood flow, and where concerns about iNOSfit in. We’ll also cover practical strategies: diet, lifestyle, TCMapproaches, and when a condition may be advanced enough that different interventions are needed. Dr. Barber will share insights from his books — including the idea that symptoms are expressions of the body’s adaptation within a network of relationships — and preview findings from his dry needling vs. TCM acupuncture research. Stick around: the dry needling conversation deserves its own deep dive, and we’ll tee that up for a future episode. Contact info: Website:  https://drbarberclinic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbarberlac/ Thinking in Chinese Medicine Book:  https://www.thinkinginchinesemedicine.com/ Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Chinese-Medicine-Patients-Acupuncture/dp/B0GWMLPZ5Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39H4CP17T3JLP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d0GaAFsPYlI-LqtZui6tnxzqwUF_QcVWpR5FcFbhJlpJ9msMfLdYXcM_AA2iCCH7xW7gcMMUhomoh3zwRLhQeWffiXkVbxfBJ4UN4kl0uJKOU3RM2IhKe1t7TwM2GEH7UD2JNt7R_8UtXy_02Q-4dckIEGBXwb8lGA0KLBaq_yHKl1J2uVuamuvrkW2OtgwZNO4W6WDM4TQj5hc7_oc_ZZ8ro6s2Rl_gaUdIEfFJ6Zo.uW67WYn2TjIw_fYu-NKytQVfntqhP0YTj-nyD876jjU&dib_tag=se&keywords=thinking+in+chinese+medicine&qid=1779389056&sprefix=Thinking+in+Chinese+%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1

    1h 3m
  6. Peptides, Part 2: Copper GHK’s Role in Healing & Regeneration

    May 25

    Peptides, Part 2: Copper GHK’s Role in Healing & Regeneration

    In this 166th episode, I continue with my mini-series on peptide therapies and discuss Copper GHK. Copper GHK is a small copper-bound tripeptide that affects repair, aging, and gene expression. I cover its natural role in plasma and tissues, how levels fall with age, and the surprising breadth of its actions—from extracellular matrix remodeling and antioxidant effects to cognitive protection, cardiovascular benefits, and boosted wound healing. I also walk through the molecular mechanisms, real-world applications, and practical considerations for clinicians and listeners interested in regenerative support. Citations: 1.     Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int.2015;2015:648108. doi: 10.1155/2015/648108. Epub 2015 Jul 7. PMID: 26236730;PMCID: PMC4508379.  2.     Pickart L, Margolina A. The Effect of the Human Plasma Molecule GHK-Cu on Stem Cell Actions and Expression of Relevant Genes. OBM Geriatrics 2018;2(3):009;doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803009.  3.     Adnan SB, Maarof M, Fauzi MB, Fadilah NIM. Exploring the Role of Tripeptides in Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Med Sci. 2025 Oct1;22(16):4175-4200. doi: 10.7150/ijms.118118. PMID: 41209547; PMCID:PMC12595317.  4.     Zoughaib M, Luong D, Garifullin R, Gatina DZ, Fedosimova SV, Abdullin TI. Enhanced angiogenic effects of RGD, GHK peptides and copper (II) compositions in synthetic cryogel ECM model. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2021Jan;120:111660. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111660. Epub 2020 Oct 21. PMID:33545827.  5.     Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 7;19(7):1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987. PMID: 29986520; PMCID: PMC6073405.

    37 min
  7. Autoimmunity, MS, Wellness Strategies and so much more with Dr. Amy Behimer, Pharm. D.

    May 18

    Autoimmunity, MS, Wellness Strategies and so much more with Dr. Amy Behimer, Pharm. D.

    In this 165th episode, I chat with Amy Behimer, Doctor of Pharmacy & Health Coach, about her approach to chronic conditions. As a person with Multiple Sclerosis and a few other autoimmune conditions, Dr. Amy knows firsthand what can work to manage autoimmunity. During this conversation, Amy and I discuss her philosophy of managing chronic conditions, Multiple Sclerosis and autoimmunity in general, diet/lifestyle approaches, and so much more! I really enjoyed this conversation. Dr. Amy is such a bright light and an asset to those working through some very difficult medical conditions. You can find her website at: https://amybehimercoaching.com/ www.amybehimercoaching.com/join Instagram:@amybehimercoachingOr her podcast: Autoimmune Health Secrets And if you would like to take her free quiz to help identify a habit you want to make or break, you can do so here: www.amybehimercoaching.com/quiz

    50 min
  8. Pao Pereira, Ginkgo, Green Tea & more: How the Beljanski Foundation Targets Cancer

    May 11

    Pao Pereira, Ginkgo, Green Tea & more: How the Beljanski Foundation Targets Cancer

    In this 164th episode, we trace the Beljanski Foundation’s origin and mission, explore its signature research tools (including the Oncotest), and dive into the botanicals and molecular components used in the Foundation’s anticancer approaches. The conversation covers how select plant alkaloids found in herbs like Pao Pereira, Rauwolfia Vomitoria, Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea, and specific fragments of RNA act on cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, how these agents interact with chemo/radiation (efficacy and toxicity), and details about the Foundation’s upcoming San Diego conference. If you or someone you know is going through cancer, this episode is not one to miss! Links: Integrative Cancer Conference (San Diego, CA 6/26/26-6/29-26):https://integrativecancerconference.com  Website: https://www.maisonbeljanski.com/  Social:instagram.com/BeljanskiFoundation facebook.com/TheBeljanskiFoundation youtube.com/@BeljanskiFoundation linkedin.com/company/The-Beljanski-Foundation twitter.com/BeljanskiF tiktok.com/@TheBeljanskiCancerTalk

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

In this Podcast we will discuss topics relating to Functional Medicine, Self Improvement, & Wellness. Dr. Jim Chialtas has been in private practice in San Diego, CA since 2003 with a focus in Acupuncture & Functional Medicine. www.functionalmedicine-sandiego.com He designs and teaches continuing education courses on Functional Blood Chemistry for the online education company, Acupuncture Insights. He also designed and currently teaches a course on Functional Blood Chemistry for the Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) program at Five Branches University.

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