Functional Medicine Reality Podcast

Dr. Mark Su MD, Functional Medicine Practitioner for Health and Longevity
  • 5.0 (28)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

The Functional Medicine Reality Podcast exposes the truth about what really happens in healthcare and why so many patients with complex, chronic conditions are left searching for answers. Hosted by Dr. Mark Su, founder & leader of RootSeek’s nationwide virtual care team, this show goes beyond quick fixes to uncover the root causes of illness—like Lyme disease and co-infections, mold toxicity, gut dysbiosis, hormone imbalances, hidden infections, and heavy metal exposure.  Each episode reveals real patient journeys and expert clinician reasoning, showing you how functional medicine tackles chronic fatigue, autoimmune flares, brain fog, cardiovascular risk, and hard-to-solve cases where conventional medicine often stops short. From environmental toxins to stress-driven inflammation, from gut repair to longevity hacks, you’ll learn how to advocate, decide, and heal on your terms—with practical, next-step strategies you can trust. If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate “mystery symptoms,” controversial treatments, or cutting-edge testing, this podcast will be your compass. Episode highlights: Goes “behind the curtain.” We invite clinicians to think out loud, showing the decision-making process most patients never see.Spotlights real patient journeys. Raw stories reveal the triumphs and trade-offs of navigating chronic illness, performance optimization, preventive care, and more.Asks the hard, patient-centered questions. We challenge experts on controversies, practical constraints, and emerging evidence—so you can separate trustworthy insight from trend-driven noise.Delivers actionable clarity. Whether you’re rehabbing an injury, hacking longevity, or just trying to sleep better, you’ll leave with next-step strategies backed by clinical reasoning. The team at RootSeek (nationwide virtual care) is ready to empower you to advocate, decide, and heal, on your terms!If you’re asking any of the following questions (or something similar), this podcast is for you: Can functional medicine help with chronic Lyme disease, co-infections, or post-treatment symptoms?How do I know if mold toxicity or environmental toxins are making me sick?What’s the best way to detox from heavy metals, pesticides, or hidden chemical exposures?Are my fatigue, brain fog, or joint pains linked to gut health or hidden infections?How do functional medicine doctors diagnose and treat autoimmune conditions differently?What advanced tests uncover root causes that standard labs miss?Can functional medicine address chronic inflammation, histamine intolerance, or mast cell activation?What are the most effective protocols for gut repair, microbiome balance, and leaky gut?How do I separate real solutions from false hope when dealing with complex chronic illness?What steps can I take now to reclaim energy, hormone balance, and overall vitality? Tune in for transparent conversations that turn complicated science into practical truth and put the power of informed choice back where it belongs: with you.

  1. 4D AGO

    17. Statin Side Effects, Muscle Pain, and Brain Fog: How to Make a Smarter Cholesterol Decision

    What if the knee pain you've been blaming on age is actually a statin side effect? That's a question worth sitting with. And it's one of the reasons I wanted to do this episode, because I see this pattern in real people, in real conversations, all the time. Someone's been on a statin for a few years. They're moving less, feeling foggy, their joints ache. And when they bring it up, they're told it's just part of getting older. It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, I walk you through what I consider to be an honest, grounded framework for thinking about cholesterol treatment — not from fear, and not from hype. We talk about why statin side effects like muscle pain, fatigue, and brain fog happen at a biological level, what the research actually shows about the diabetes signal, and how the risk picture for a 55-year-old with a complex history is completely different from a healthy 25-year-old with a flagged LDL number. We also get into the smarter data — apoB, lipoprotein(a), oxidized LDL, coronary calcium scoring — because a standard lipid panel alone doesn't always tell the full story. By the end, you'll have a real decision-making process you can actually use: define your risk profile, know your risk appetite, gather better information when it's needed, trial thoughtfully, and pay attention to both how you feel and what your labs show. No absolutes. No fear-mongering. Just clarity. As always, nothing here is medical advice or a diagnosis. These are recommendations and frameworks to support your own informed conversations with your care team. If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone weighing a statin decision, and leave a review. It genuinely helps us reach more people who need this kind of clarity. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast  Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: rootseekhealth.com/labs

    21 min

  2. MAR 29

    16: Parasites, Lyme Disease & Cellcore: What Actually Heals Chronic Illness with Dr. Todd Watts

    I'll be upfront. I walked into my first encounter with Dr. Todd Watts as a full-on skeptic. I'm an MD. I like data. I've literally told vendors at conference booths, hey, I'm not buying anything, fair warning. That's just who I am. But I remember standing in that conference room years ago watching Todd present on parasites, a topic I had barely touched in fifteen years of conventional practice, and something just landed. I thought, that guy is solid. Something genuine is happening there. I didn't know much about him at all, but I trusted him. That was the beginning of a journey I didn't see coming. Dr. Watts is the co-founder of Cellcore Biosciences, a supplement company built around supporting the body's detox pathways starting at the cellular level. He came to this work through a second career, his own Lyme disease diagnosis, years of joint pain and fatigue that doctors shrugged off as normal aging, and a quiet refusal to give up on patients the way the system had given up on him. What we talk about in this episode goes way beyond products and protocols. It's about what actually drives a practitioner. The kind of care that doesn't quit when the obvious answers run out. Dr. Watts shares the story of a woman who came to him having twenty-five seizures a day, being carried into his clinic. She now runs one of the fastest-growing interior design businesses in the Boise valley. He talks about a family whose anxiety and mood collapse traced back to black mold consuming their entire attic. Thirty days on a binder protocol and their lives changed. He also says something I think a lot of us in this space feel but don't always say out loud. You can't keep giving from empty. Practitioners with the biggest hearts have to be the most intentional about refueling. That one hit home for me. And if you're a patient listening, this conversation is a window into what it feels like when a practitioner genuinely refuses to give up on you. That kind of care exists. It matters more than most people know. Everything here is educational. These are recommendations, not diagnoses or treatments. What we get into: Lyme disease, Babesia, parasites, mold and mycotoxin illness, heavy metals, plant-based medicine, peptides, trauma and chronic illness, emotional health as root-cause medicine People and resources mentioned: Dr. Todd Watts and Dr. Jay Davidson, co-founders of Cellcore Biosciences at cellcore.com. The Eco Conference, Cellcore's annual practitioner event, is the first week of May in Boise, Idaho. Find it under Events at cellcore.com.  If something in this conversation resonated, head to RootSeekHealth.com and take the free health quiz. It's a quick way to start figuring out what might be going on beneath the surface and what kind of support could actually move things forward for you. And if you're a practitioner who's been on the fence about Eco, I've gone five times. I've cried four of those five times, and I'm not an easy crier. That's really all I'll say about that. Until next time. Keep it real. Peace be with you. — Dr. Mark Su Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast  Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: rootseekhealth.com/labs

    45 min

  3. MAR 22

    15. What Causes Autoimmunity? A Deep Dive into Viruses, Inflammation, and Aging with Dr. Jessica Lasky Su

    Hey friends, what if we stopped fighting over labels and actually started treating the mechanisms behind what's making people sick? That's the question driving today's conversation with Dr. Jessica Lasky-Su from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Here's the thing. Her team is working at the edge of some really fascinating science, genetics, epigenetics, proteomics, metabolomics, antibody profiling. And what we dig into is how long COVID research, viral exposures, and autoimmunity all connect. This isn't just academic, right? This shift in thinking could change how we approach everything from chronic fatigue to neurodegeneration. We unpack the NIH's massive long COVID program. We're talking tens of thousands of participants, deep biospecimen collection, repeated measures over time, and patient advocates actually shaping what gets studied. The goal isn't some single tidy definition of long COVID. It's mapping out subtypes and mechanisms. Immune dysregulation, viral persistence, autonomic dysfunction, coagulation issues, mitochondrial strain. Once you define the mechanisms, drug repurposing becomes a real lever. You can match known compounds to pathways for faster trials and earlier relief for patients. Then we zoom out a bit. Research grade antibody profiling can detect tens of thousands of potential autoantibodies, way beyond what routine panels show. Some of these signals correlate strongly with diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, hinting at early warning markers or maybe even direct roles in the disease process itself. Molecular mimicry explains how infections, especially persistent herpesviruses like HSV-1, EBV, CMV, and VZV, can trigger immune misfires that target our own tissues. It's good intentions gone wrong at the cellular level, and it's why mechanisms matter more than the names we slap on things. We keep it practical too. Support immune balance with sleep, nutrition, movement, vitamin D optimization, stress regulation, gut health. If reactivation is suspected, talk to your clinician about antiviral strategies and stepped, mechanism aware care. This isn't hype. It's a grounded path from lab to life where functional medicine and rigorous research meet to shorten the distance between discovery and relief. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs clarity, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your questions shape what we explore next. That my friends, is the reality of medicine as I see it. Let's get real and get results. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ 📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health. Download your free guide "Lab Results Without Answers: Your Labs Are Only Half the Story"

    1h 9m

  4. MAR 15

    14. Living with Chronic Lyme Disease: Resilience, Recovery, and Reclaiming Life After 7 Years of Illness | Mary Jo's Journey

    What does “I feel good” mean after years of chronic Lyme and a major surgery that reshapes your body and your identity? We sit down with Mary Jo to unpack a tender, determined third chapter: living well after treatment, navigating a post-hysterectomy reality, and rebuilding confidence without ignoring limits. The result is a rare blend of practical playbooks and soul-level honesty—how to budget energy to avoid push-crash, why anti-inflammatory eating clarifies symptoms fast, and where simple modalities like sauna and cold plunges fit when you’re ready to nudge good toward great. Mary Jo walks us through the emotional weight of sharing good news after long suffering, and the courage it takes to keep saying it. A 4,000‑foot hike becomes a turning point—part victory lap, part lesson in recovery—and a powerful metaphor for reclaiming identity after years of illness. We connect the dots between symptom patterns and daily choices: refined sugar and processed foods fueling headaches, skin flares, and joint aches; whole foods and steady protein restoring clarity and calm. Along the way, we explore coinfections, post-hysterectomy hormone shifts, and how faith and community steady the mind when data is sparse and the wellness market gets loud. If you’re seeking a roadmap that respects your limits while expanding your possibilities, this conversation offers guardrails and green lights: one meaningful task per day, honest recovery windows, gentle movement that builds capacity, and clear, low-risk tools to test. It’s a grounded path from symptom control to genuine vitality—crafted with discernment, gratitude, and grit. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review telling us the one habit that moves you from good to great. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast 📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

    53 min

  5. MAR 8

    13. Gut Health, Mental Clarity, and the Search for Balance: A Real Talk with the Next Generation

    In this episode, I sit down with Sebastian, a family friend and college student, for an open and thoughtful conversation about health, food, mental clarity, and the overwhelm of modern wellness information. This is a rare and refreshing look at how the younger generation is thinking about health and asking questions many adults never learned to ask. Seb shares how his interest in lifting, performance, and nutrition gradually turned into something deeper. What started as a focus on strength and physique became an exploration of sleep, food quality, anxiety, gut health, and mental well-being. Along the way, he noticed something important. Changes in diet and lifestyle didn’t just affect his body. They changed how present, calm, and focused he felt in daily life. We talk about: How food choices can influence mood, anxiety, and mental clarityThe gut as a major interface between the body, the immune system, and the brainWhy food sensitivities are complex and not one-size-fits-allThe difference between food allergies and delayed food reactionsWhy stress, attention, and mindset can amplify or reduce physical symptomsThe gut-brain connection, serotonin, and emerging research on the microbiomePsychobiotics and the evolving science of probiotics and mental healthIntermittent fasting and time-restricted eating, including where the data is strong and where nuance mattersThe risk of becoming overly fixated on “perfect” eating and health optimizationWe also explore a topic that doesn’t get enough airtime. When does health awareness turn into health anxiety? And how do we pursue better health without losing joy, flexibility, and connection along the way? This episode is not about promoting a specific diet, supplement, or protocol. It’s about curiosity, balance, and learning how to listen to your body without becoming consumed by the noise. Sebastian brings honesty, humility, and insight from his generation, and this conversation highlights something I believe deeply. Good medicine is not just about data or discipline. It’s about discernment, self-awareness, and context. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, unsure whether symptoms are coming from food, stress, or both, or curious about how gut health and mental health intersect, this episode will resonate. As always, this podcast is for education and awareness, not diagnosis or treatment. My hope is that it helps you ask better questions and feel less alone in the process. Let’s get real, and let’s keep learning together. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast True Wellness Clinic (for VO2 max testing, DEXA scans, and more): truwellnessclinic.com 📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

    1h 3m

  6. MAR 1

    12. Functional Medicine and Mold: A Deep Dive into Mycotoxin Testing with Mike Schrantz

    In this episode of the Functional Medicine Reality Podcast, I sit down again with my friend and colleague Mike Schrantz, an Indoor Environmental Professional I often call the “Doctor of Homes.” I’m the “Doctor of People,” and together we work at the intersection where sick buildings and sick bodies collide. Today we step into a thorny topic that affects a lot of patients and a lot of practitioners: human mold testing, specifically urine mycotoxin testing. If you have ever had a urine mycotoxin test, or if you have been told your results prove you “have mold,” you are going to want to hear this conversation. If you are a practitioner using these tests, you may feel challenged by what we say. Our intent is not to criticize, shame, or polarize. Our intent is truth telling and clarity, because the stakes are real. These results can lead to major decisions about treatment, remediation, belongings, and even moving. We walk through the two major camps we see in the mold illness world today. One is the Shoemaker and CIRS framework, where testing is focused largely on blood-based inflammatory markers and pattern recognition. The other camp is the growing use of urinary mycotoxin testing through labs like RealTime, Vibrant, and Mosaic. We discuss how urine mycotoxin testing is sometimes being used as a standalone diagnostic tool, and why that can become dangerous. Mike shares what he sees in the field when people come to him with a urine mycotoxin result and a diagnosis that triggers panic, decision fatigue, and expensive next steps. We talk about the hard questions that still need answers, including how labs establish “normal” versus “elevated,” what healthy control data is being used, and why repeatability and interpretation are major concerns. A key theme is this: mycotoxins can show up in urine even in people who feel well, and mycotoxins can also come from diet and everyday exposures, not only from a moldy home. That does not mean a urine test is useless. It means the results need context. A urine mycotoxin test can be one piece of the puzzle, but it is rarely the whole puzzle. We also discuss provocation testing, the difference between qualitative and quantitative meaning, and why overconfident conclusions can cost people more than money. They can cost peace of mind. This episode is for anyone trying to avoid rabbit holes and get real about what these tests can and cannot tell you. Whether you are a patient or a clinician, the goal is the same: make decisions with clarity, not fear. If you want help navigating mold illness step by step, including testing, interpretation, environment, and treatment sequencing, my team at Root Seek is here to support you. Let’s get real and get results. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ 📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health. Download your free guide "Lab Results Without Answers: Your Labs Are Only Half the Story"

    58 min

  7. FEB 22

    11. Unveiling the Truth: Financial Incentives in Healthcare

    One of the questions I am asked most often by patients is this: “Don’t doctors get paid to prescribe medications?” It is a fair question. And if you have ever left a medical visit feeling rushed, unheard, or confused about why a prescription was offered when you wanted to talk about lifestyle change, you are not alone. The short answer, from my experience, is no. Doctors are not paid directly for writing prescriptions. I have never seen that arrangement in my own career. But the longer and more important answer is where things get complicated, and where a lot of patient frustration actually starts to make sense. In this episode, I share how modern healthcare really works behind the scenes, specifically the metric driven systems that shape many outpatient medical visits, often without patients ever being told those systems exist. Insurance contracts commonly withhold a portion of physician reimbursement. That money can only be earned back if certain population level targets are met. These targets include cancer screening rates, blood pressure control, diabetes markers, depression screenings, and age based testing requirements. These systems were created with good public health intentions. On a population level, they aim to reduce disease, improve outcomes, and lower long term healthcare costs. But in real life, they can unintentionally distort the patient experience. When metrics drive behavior, office visits can become crowded with checklists, screenings, and documentation that have little to do with the reason you came in that day, whether that is back pain, fatigue, brain fog, or something else entirely. This helps explain why you may feel frustrated when: You are asked the same questions at every visitScreenings feel unrelated to your concernLifestyle conversations feel rushed or absentMedications are offered before behavior change has time to workThis episode is not about blaming doctors. I speak honestly about the difficult position many clinicians are placed in. They are often caught between wanting to support their patients and being financially penalized if metrics are not met by the end of the calendar year. I also explain why lifestyle change, while essential, often does not move the numbers fast enough for these systems. That reality can quietly influence medical decisions, especially late in the year, even when a patient is motivated and ready to make change. This conversation is about clarity, not conspiracy. It is about helping you understand why healthcare can feel transactional, why visits sometimes miss the mark, and how understanding the system can help you advocate for yourself more effectively. My goal is not to create fear or distrust. It is to offer context, compassion, and empowerment. If you have ever wondered why your healthcare experience feels the way it does, this episode is for you. Let’s get real and get results. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ 📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health. Download your free guide "Lab Results Without Answers: Your Labs Are Only Half the Story"

    15 min

  8. FEB 15

    10. Understanding Your Symptoms: The Critical Role of Differential Diagnosis with Mihaela

    Hey friends. This is one of those foundational conversations that quietly shapes everything we do in healthcare, yet it’s rarely talked about outside medical training. In this episode, I walk you through the concept of differential diagnosis, what it is, why it matters, and how overlooking it can delay healing or, in some cases, cause real harm. Differential diagnosis simply means creating a thoughtful list of all the possible causes of a symptom before jumping to conclusions. It’s not about being overly technical. It’s about being thorough, humble, and clinically responsible. Using real-world examples like chronic abdominal pain, I explain how symptoms that sound familiar can have very different meanings depending on context: How long has it been going on?Is it changing?Is it associated with food, movement, stress, or time of day?In functional medicine, we’re trained to think broadly. Lyme, mold, parasites, gut infections, inflammation, and toxicity all matter. That perspective is incredibly valuable. But here’s the nuance: we can’t skip over the conventional “big and bad” possibilities, especially acute or dangerous conditions like infection, obstruction, or cancer. This episode is especially important for: Prescribing clinicians practicing functional or integrative medicinePatients with long-standing, complex, or unexplained symptomsAnyone who has felt dismissed, or alternatively, overwhelmed by diagnosesI also talk candidly about a real risk in our space. We can become so focused on chronic, root-cause explanations that we miss something urgent or conventional that still needs to be ruled out first. The takeaway isn’t fear. It’s balance. Good medicine, whether functional or conventional, requires: Pattern recognition and vigilanceCuriosity and restraintInnovation and respect for fundamentalsIf you’ve been on a long health journey, this conversation may help you better understand how your symptoms are being interpreted and how to advocate for yourself more clearly. And if you’re a clinician, my hope is that this serves as a grounding reminder: breadth without prioritization can be just as risky as narrow thinking. As always, let’s get real and let’s get results. Connect with us: Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/ Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast True Wellness Clinic (for VO2 max testing, DEXA scans, and more): truwellnessclinic.com 📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers? Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

    58 min
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5
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

The Functional Medicine Reality Podcast exposes the truth about what really happens in healthcare and why so many patients with complex, chronic conditions are left searching for answers. Hosted by Dr. Mark Su, founder & leader of RootSeek’s nationwide virtual care team, this show goes beyond quick fixes to uncover the root causes of illness—like Lyme disease and co-infections, mold toxicity, gut dysbiosis, hormone imbalances, hidden infections, and heavy metal exposure.  Each episode reveals real patient journeys and expert clinician reasoning, showing you how functional medicine tackles chronic fatigue, autoimmune flares, brain fog, cardiovascular risk, and hard-to-solve cases where conventional medicine often stops short. From environmental toxins to stress-driven inflammation, from gut repair to longevity hacks, you’ll learn how to advocate, decide, and heal on your terms—with practical, next-step strategies you can trust. If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate “mystery symptoms,” controversial treatments, or cutting-edge testing, this podcast will be your compass. Episode highlights: Goes “behind the curtain.” We invite clinicians to think out loud, showing the decision-making process most patients never see.Spotlights real patient journeys. Raw stories reveal the triumphs and trade-offs of navigating chronic illness, performance optimization, preventive care, and more.Asks the hard, patient-centered questions. We challenge experts on controversies, practical constraints, and emerging evidence—so you can separate trustworthy insight from trend-driven noise.Delivers actionable clarity. Whether you’re rehabbing an injury, hacking longevity, or just trying to sleep better, you’ll leave with next-step strategies backed by clinical reasoning. The team at RootSeek (nationwide virtual care) is ready to empower you to advocate, decide, and heal, on your terms!If you’re asking any of the following questions (or something similar), this podcast is for you: Can functional medicine help with chronic Lyme disease, co-infections, or post-treatment symptoms?How do I know if mold toxicity or environmental toxins are making me sick?What’s the best way to detox from heavy metals, pesticides, or hidden chemical exposures?Are my fatigue, brain fog, or joint pains linked to gut health or hidden infections?How do functional medicine doctors diagnose and treat autoimmune conditions differently?What advanced tests uncover root causes that standard labs miss?Can functional medicine address chronic inflammation, histamine intolerance, or mast cell activation?What are the most effective protocols for gut repair, microbiome balance, and leaky gut?How do I separate real solutions from false hope when dealing with complex chronic illness?What steps can I take now to reclaim energy, hormone balance, and overall vitality? Tune in for transparent conversations that turn complicated science into practical truth and put the power of informed choice back where it belongs: with you.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Mark Su MD, Functional Medicine Practitioner for Health and Longevity
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Functional Medicine Reality Podcast
  • Show Website
    Functional Medicine Reality Podcast

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