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.afunctionalapproach.net He designs and teaches continuing education courses on Functional Blood Chemistry for the online education company, Acupuncture Insights. He also designed and currently teaches two courses on Functional Blood Medicine for the Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) program at Five Branches University.

  1. 6d ago

    The key to overcoming pain & suffering

    What if overcoming suffering isn’t about escaping pain, but learning how to meet it? In this 190th episode, I explore ideas inspired by Buddhist teachings as interpreted by the Eastern philosopher Alan Watts, and consider whether our fear of suffering may sometimes become part of the suffering itself. The Buddha taught that life includes dukkha—a kind of discomfort, dissatisfaction, and impermanence. We naturally seek pleasure and try to avoid pain, but perhaps peace comes not from choosing one over the other, but from learning to be present with both. In this episode, we’ll explore what happens when we stop resisting discomfort and begin observing it directly. We’ll consider pain, childbirth, grief, illness, and even death—not as experiences to romanticize, but as natural parts of life that may hold the possibility of transformation. Perhaps wellness isn’t the absence of suffering. Perhaps it’s the ability to remain present, grounded, and connected—even in the midst of it.

  2. Aug 31

    Is “Leaky Gut” Autoimmune? Understanding Intestinal Permeability and Immune Reactivity

    In this 189th episode, we explore intestinal permeability and the delicate gut barrier that helps separate the contents of the digestive tract from the rest of the body. We’ll discuss the role of tight-junction and barrier-associated proteins, including occludin, zonulin, and actomyosin, as well as the kinds of immune markers evaluated by tests such as Cyrex Labs Array 2. We’ll also define autoimmunity: what happens when the immune system loses tolerance to the body’s own tissues. Using examples such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus, we’ll consider whether antibodies against gut-barrier proteins necessarily indicate a direct autoimmune attack—or whether they may also reflect tissue damage, inflammation, and the immune system’s attempt to clean up injured tissue. The conversation goes further, examining the close relationship between intestinal permeability and autoimmune disease. A compromised gut barrier may contribute to increased immune reactivity, while autoimmune conditions may themselves impair the gut’s ability to maintain a healthy barrier. Because proteins such as occludin and zonulin are also found in other barrier tissues—including the blood-brain barrier and lung barrier—this process may have implications for symptoms such as brain fog, environmental sensitivities, and systemic inflammation. Finally, we’ll discuss ways to help interrupt this self-reinforcing cycle, including identifying dietary triggers, supporting gut-barrier integrity, improving immune regulation, and addressing the broader foundations of wellness. Cyrex Labs: https://www.cyrexlabs.com/CyrexTestsArrays/tabid/136/Default.aspx

  3. Aug 24

    Does Eating Less Protein Help You Live Longer? The Science Behind the Longevity Headlines

    In this 188th episode, I offer a rebuttal to some recent headlines making a bit of a splash... What if the headline telling you to “eat less protein to live longer” is getting far ahead of the actual science? A recent article published by Cell Press, titled “The Hallmarks of Protein and Amino Acid Restriction in Aging and Longevity,” has generated significant media attention. Several major outlets interpreted the paper as evidence that reducing protein intake may improve healthspan and extend lifespan. But there’s a problem: this was not a clinical trial. It was not a systematic review or meta-analysis. And it did not prove that humans should eat less protein. In this episode, we’re going to unpack what the paper actually says—and what it does not say. We’ll look at the difference between a narrative review and stronger forms of clinical evidence, examine how findings from worms, flies, mice, and rats get translated into human nutrition headlines, and explore why protein restriction, amino acid restriction, and plant-versus-animal protein are not interchangeable concepts. We’ll also talk about the special importance of protein for older adults, including its role in preserving muscle mass, strength, mobility, and independence. Because when protein intake goes down, something else has to replace those calories—and that makes the interpretation much more complicated than the headline suggests. This isn’t an argument that protein restriction is necessarily wrong. It’s an argument for scientific humility. Interesting mechanisms involving mTOR, IGF-1, FGF21, and amino acid metabolism may generate important hypotheses—but a hypothesis is not the same thing as a clinical recommendation. So today, we’re asking: Did the science really show that eating less protein helps humans live longer—or did the media turn a nuanced research review into a new dietary rule? References: The hallmarks of protein and amino acid restriction in aging and longevity https://www.cell.com/cell-press-blue/fulltext/S3051-3839(26)00077-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS3051383926000770%3Fshowall%3Dtrue Selling sickness: the pharmaceutical industry and diseasemongering https://www.bmj.com/content/324/7342/886.1.abstract I also want to thank Dr. Robert Malone for his expertise and commentary on this topic. If you would like to read a more thorough retort of this topic written by Dr. Malone, you can find his article here: ⁠www.malone.news/p/the-protein-panic-how-a-review-paper

  4. Aug 17

    Microplastics, Bile, and Cellular Aging

    In this 187th episode, I discuss what microplastics have to do with bile, gallstones, mitochondria, and cellular aging. In this episode, we explore emerging research detecting microplastics in human bile—and the higher concentrations found in people with gallstones. We’ll discuss how these particles may interact with biliary cells, contribute to mitochondrial stress, and promote a senescence-like “zombie cell” state. We’ll also examine experimental findings on melatonin’s potential to protect mitochondrial function, while considering why healthy sleep may be more important than relying on supplementation. From a functional medicine perspective, the conversation focuses on reducing avoidable plastic exposure, supporting liver and biliary function, maintaining healthy detoxification pathways, and building resilience through nutrition, movement, stress management, and restorative sleep. Reference: Zhan L, Fu L, Zeng Q, Liang R, Tang J, Liu J, Qian B, Xu Z,Che L. Microplastics accumulate in human bile and drive cholangiocytesenescence. Environ Sci Ecotechnol. 2026;31:100686.doi:10.1016/j.ese.2026.100686.

  5. Aug 10

    Thriving Beyond Limits — Care, Community, and Integrative Medicine at the Chanda Center

    In this 177th episode, I sit down with Brian from the Chanda Center for Health to explore how integrative therapies — acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, and physical therapy — are transforming care for people with long‑term physical disabilities, chronic pain, and spinal cord injuries. Brian shares his personal path from neuroscience to acupuncture and describes the Center’s origin, its founder Chanda Hinton’s advocacy to secure Medicaid coverage, and the real‑world impact of expanding services to address brain injury, MS, and other neurological conditions. We discuss: How integrative care reduces hospitalizations and medication costs and why coverage matters for patients living on limited incomesThe therapeutic benefits of acupuncture for spasm, nerve pain, sleep, and overall quality of lifePractical clinic work: treating spasticity, bladder issues, peripheral and centralized neuropathic pain, and preventing serious complicationsCommunity‑building at the Chanda Center: accessible design, social programs, donor‑funded services, and adaptive recreation that help patients move from surviving to thrivingRespectful ways to assist people with disabilities and the Center’s approach to dignity and independencePlans for program expansion, insurance integration, and how others can advocate for similar modelsWhether you’re a clinician, caregiver, patient, or advocate, this conversation highlights how thoughtful, integrated care and community support can change lives and save systems money. Tune in for practical insights, policy wins, and inspiring stories from a care model built by and for people with physical disabilities. Contact Information for The Chanda Center for Health: Email: info@chandacenter.orgWebsite: https://chandacenter.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chandacenter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chandacenterforhealth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chandacenterforhealth/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkfFrHS_XY600aMVT6FYGBg --

    Thriving Beyond Limits — Care, Community, and Integrative Medicine at the Chanda Center

  6. Aug 3

    Psychedelics with Paul Austin

    In this 176th episode, I sit down with Paul Austin to discuss the exciting, controversial, and promising topic of psychedelics. Paul is the CEO and founder of The Third Wave, which is a company focused on providing information and resources on the safe use of psychedelic therapies. He also trains and coaches upcoming facilitators, and offers retreats around the world for people to come together for this very important work. In this episode, we discuss many topics ranging from legality, microdosing vs. macrodosing, different types of psychedelic medicines, psychedelic research, and the subtle yet important difference in the description of these medicines as "psychedelics" vs. "entheogens." Join us in this dynamic conversation as we enter into a literal renaissance in psychedelic therapies going forward. This is no longer fringe stuff here. It is real medicine, recognized by the FDA, that can offer an individual deep insights not readily available in normal everyday life. I even share some of my personal experiences with psychedelic journeys. They have been game-changers in my life. And I put them squarely in the "A Functional Approach" category of health and wellness interventions for my personal wellness journey. You can find Paul at: https://thethirdwave.co https://www.paulaustin.co/ Instagram:@thirdwaveishere@psychedeliccoachinginstitute@microdosingcollective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-f-austin/

    Psychedelics with Paul Austin

  7. Jul 27

    When We Mourn the Wrong Things

    In this 175th episode, I get a bit vulnerable and share some personal experiences of loss. Why? Because we all experience similar loss. And we are all in this together. And sharing our experience with each other has the potential to heal. Communication, connection, and reflection are all so important for our health and wellbeing. It is truly a Functional Approach...

  8. Jul 20

    Are you living with Mold? A frank conversation with Jason Earl from "Got Mold?"

    In this 174th episode, I revisit the topic of mold but in much more detail. Today I sit down with a true expert in the field, Jason Earl, who is the founder and CEO of the at-home mold testing company, Got Mold? Our conversation covers a broad spectrum of topics from differences in mold testing, medical conditions typical of chronic mold exposure, the difference between mold spores, mycotoxins, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Jason is a master as challenging myths around mold and offering a sober reality of mold exposures and testing. Jason's expertice on the topic is immediately apparent, and I trust this man completely to tell it like it is. You can find him by clicking the following link:https://gotmold.docsend.com/view/a5wvz2dh9cakehyu Or at: www.gotmold.com questions@gotmold.com Facebook: /gotmold LinkedIn: in/jearl And if you would like to get your home or office tested, you can click this link for a 10% off discount! https://www.gotmold.com/afunctionalapproach/

    Are you living with Mold? A frank conversation with Jason Earl from "Got Mold?"
See All (181)

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.afunctionalapproach.net He designs and teaches continuing education courses on Functional Blood Chemistry for the online education company, Acupuncture Insights. He also designed and currently teaches two courses on Functional Blood Medicine for the Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) program at Five Branches University.

Information

You Might Also Like