Made for Health | Medical Gaslighting | Lyme | Chronic Infections | Metabolic Syndrome | Insulin Resistance | Mystery Illness

Aaron Hartman, MD
  • 4.7 (15)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

You were made for health—vibrant, thriving, and full of possibility. But navigating today’s broken healthcare system, endless misinformation, and confusion can feel overwhelming. On Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman cuts through the noise to deliver science-backed solutions that restore your health and reignite your hope. Join us each week for expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring conversations that empower you to harness your body’s incredible power to heal. Whether you're seeking clarity, direction, or just a trusted voice, this podcast is your roadmap to the vibrant life you were made for.

  1. Treating Hypermobility Starts with the Foundation – The Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies That Support Connective Tissue with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Hypermobility | E158

    14h ago

    Treating Hypermobility Starts with the Foundation – The Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies That Support Connective Tissue with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Hypermobility | E158

    🔥 What if supporting hypermobility starts long before advanced therapies... with giving your connective tissue the nutrients and support it has been missing? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on connective tissue health, chronic illness, and the foundations that help the body heal. What if the best treatment for hypermobility starts by rebuilding the body's foundation? In this minisode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman concludes his hypermobility series by outlining a practical, whole-body approach to supporting connective tissue health. Rather than relying on a single therapy, he explains why nutrition, targeted supplementation, bodywork, and regenerative therapies all work together to improve long-term outcomes for people living with hypermobility. Dr. Hartman discusses why many people with hypermobility require higher protein intake, additional vitamin C, collagen support, trace minerals, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and gut repair strategies. He also explains how therapies such as myofascial work, craniosacral therapy, Pilates, yoga, acupuncture, and regenerative medicine may help improve pain, nervous system regulation, and connective tissue function when used as part of a personalized care plan. Key Topics Covered Why nutrition is the foundation of hypermobility treatmentThe increased protein needs of people with hypermobilityHow collagen and bone broth support connective tissueWhy vitamin C is essential for connective tissue repairThe importance of magnesium, trace minerals, and silicaHow processed foods may contribute to nutrient deficienciesThe role of anti-inflammatory nutrition in connective tissue healthGut repair strategies that support healingAdvanced therapies including peptides and regenerative medicineWhen intravenous vitamin C may be consideredWhy phosphatidylcholine supports healthy cell membranesThe importance of myofascial therapy, craniosacral therapy, and acupunctureHow Pilates, yoga, and Tai Chi may improve stability and reduce painWhy treating headaches and nervous system dysregulation mattersBuilding a personalized plan that combines nutrition, movement, and bodywork Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    10 min
  2. When Everything Looks Normal but You Still Feel Sick – The Hidden Cost of Medical Gaslighting with Dr. Christian Jenski | Medical Gaslighting | E157

    4d ago

    When Everything Looks Normal but You Still Feel Sick – The Hidden Cost of Medical Gaslighting with Dr. Christian Jenski | Medical Gaslighting | E157

    🔥 What if being told "everything looks normal" has less to do with your symptoms... and more to do with the limits of the healthcare system? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on chronic illness, overlooked diagnoses, and why asking better questions can change lives. What if medical gaslighting is preventing people from getting the care they truly need? In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski continue their series on medical blind spots by exploring one of healthcare's most damaging challenges: medical gaslighting. They discuss how patients with chronic symptoms are too often told that "everything is normal" or that their symptoms are caused by stress or anxiety, even when an underlying medical condition has yet to be identified. The conversation highlights why unexplained symptoms should be viewed as unfinished science rather than dismissed as imaginary, and why listening carefully to patients remains one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in medicine. Through examples including fibromyalgia, perimenopause, POTS, mold-related illness, neurodivergence, autoimmune conditions, and chronic pain, Dr. Hartman and Dr. Jenski explain how curiosity, expanded testing, and a root-cause approach can help uncover conditions that conventional evaluations may overlook. About the Guest Dr. Christian Jenski is a triple board-certified physician specializing in emergency medicine, obesity medicine, and functional medicine. He works alongside Dr. Aaron Hartman to help patients uncover the root causes of complex chronic illnesses through a systems-based, evidence-informed approach that integrates lifestyle medicine, metabolic health, cardiovascular prevention, and personalized care. Key Topics Covered What medical gaslighting is and why it happensWhy unexplained symptoms should not be dismissedHow chronic illness is often misunderstood in conventional healthcareThe relationship between fibromyalgia and neuroinflammationWhy perimenopause symptoms are frequently overlookedThe connection between hormones, chronic inflammation, and nervous system healthWhy POTS continues to be underrecognizedHow mold-related illness can mimic many chronic conditionsThe impact of neurodivergence and connective tissue disorders on healthWhy environmental exposures and toxic burden deserve greater attentionThe importance of listening to patients and validating their experiencesHow functional medicine approaches complex, overlapping symptomsWhy curiosity and continued learning are essential for better healthcareThe role of patient advocacy in navigating chronic illness Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    26 min
  3. Identifying Hypermobility Takes More Than the Beighton Score – The Hidden Connective Tissue Clues Most Clinicians Miss with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Hypermobility | E156

    Jun 26

    Identifying Hypermobility Takes More Than the Beighton Score – The Hidden Connective Tissue Clues Most Clinicians Miss with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Hypermobility | E156

    🔥 What if recognizing hypermobility early could change the course of someone's lifelong health? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on chronic illness, connective tissue health, and the root causes that often go unnoticed. What if identifying hypermobility is about much more than checking joint flexibility? In this minisode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman continues his series on hypermobility by explaining how clinicians evaluate connective tissue health beyond the traditional Beighton Score. He discusses why physical examination, body proportions, medical history, and connective tissue findings often provide important clues that standardized screening tools can miss. Dr. Hartman also explores why hypermobility is fundamentally a connective tissue condition that can influence nearly every organ system, including the nervous system, digestive tract, immune system, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. He explains how recognizing these patterns early may help guide nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and personalized care strategies that support long-term health. Key Topics Covered What the Beighton Score measures and its limitationsWhy hypermobility requires more than a screening questionnaireHow physical examination helps identify connective tissue differencesBody proportions and physical signs associated with hypermobilityThe relationship between hypermobility and scoliosisWhy skin texture, stretch marks, and connective tissue findings matterChildhood signs that may suggest hypermobilityThe connection between hypermobility and recurrent joint instabilityHow connective tissue influences the nervous system and immune functionThe relationship between hypermobility, mast cell activation, and chronic painWhy hypermobility may contribute to gut dysfunction and SIBOThe importance of nutrition and connective tissue supportHow early recognition may improve long-term health outcomesWhy personalized care plans should account for connective tissue health Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    11 min
  4. Some of Medicine’s Most Trusted Beliefs Were Wrong – The Hidden Blind Spots That Changed Healthcare with Dr. Christian Jenski | Medical Blind Spots | #E155

    Jun 22

    Some of Medicine’s Most Trusted Beliefs Were Wrong – The Hidden Blind Spots That Changed Healthcare with Dr. Christian Jenski | Medical Blind Spots | #E155

    🔥 What if some of the biggest health challenges people face today are not caused by bad medicine... but by blind spots in the system itself? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on overlooked diagnoses, chronic symptoms, and the importance of asking better questions when answers are hard to find. What if some of medicine’s most trusted beliefs have unintentionally harmed the very people they were meant to help? In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski begin a new series exploring medical blind spots, outdated assumptions, and the unintended consequences that can occur when healthcare systems become overly attached to prevailing beliefs. Using historical examples and modern patient experiences, they discuss how medicine has repeatedly evolved by challenging accepted ideas. From handwashing and infection control to hormone replacement therapy and chronic illness, they examine how some widely accepted medical assumptions have later been proven incomplete or incorrect. The conversation also highlights how women have often been disproportionately affected by these blind spots, particularly in areas such as autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, hormonal health, fertility, and complex chronic illnesses. Throughout the episode, Dr. Hartman and Dr. Jenski emphasize the importance of curiosity, humility, patient advocacy, and continuously questioning assumptions in the pursuit of better healthcare. About the Guest Dr. Christian Jenski is a triple board-certified physician with expertise in emergency medicine, obesity medicine, and functional medicine. He works alongside Dr. Aaron Hartman to help patients uncover root causes of chronic illness through a systems-based and personalized approach to healthcare. Key Topics Covered What medical blind spots are and how they developWhy science evolves and accepted medical beliefs sometimes changeThe difference between scientific discovery and medical dogmaHistorical examples of medical blind spots and unintended harmThe story of handwashing and infection prevention in medicineHow healthcare systems can unintentionally overlook important patient experiencesWhy women are disproportionately affected by medical gaslightingThe relationship between chronic illness and missed diagnosesThe history and controversy surrounding hormone replacement therapyHow delayed acceptance of new evidence can affect patient careThe importance of intellectual curiosity in medicineWhy listening to patients remains one of the most important clinical skillsThe role of functional medicine in addressing complex chronic illnessesHow chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, and hormone disorders are often misunderstoodWhy advocacy and self-education can help patients navigate healthcare challenges Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    29 min
  5. Hypermobility Changes More Than Your Joints – The Hidden Link Between Chronic Illness, POTS, and Neurodivergence with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Hypermobility | E154

    Jun 19

    Hypermobility Changes More Than Your Joints – The Hidden Link Between Chronic Illness, POTS, and Neurodivergence with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Hypermobility | E154

    🔥 What if one of the most overlooked factors in chronic illness isn't an infection, hormone imbalance, or autoimmune condition... but the connective tissue you're born with? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on why seemingly unrelated symptoms may share common root causes. What if hypermobility is the hidden link connecting many of today's most complex health conditions? In this minisode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman introduces hypermobility, a surprisingly common but frequently overlooked trait that may influence everything from chronic pain and fatigue to POTS, mast cell activation, neurodivergence, autoimmune conditions, and digestive health. He explains that hypermobility exists on a spectrum. For some people, it may contribute to athletic performance, flexibility, and enhanced physical abilities. For others, it can create vulnerabilities that affect connective tissue, nervous system regulation, healing, immune function, and overall resilience. The episode explores why connective tissue plays a much larger role in health than most people realize and how hypermobility may help explain why certain individuals are more susceptible to chronic symptoms, environmental triggers, infections, and inflammatory conditions. Key Topics Covered What hypermobility is and why it affects far more than just the jointsThe difference between hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)Why hypermobility exists on a spectrumHow connective tissue influences the nervous system, healing, and inflammationThe relationship between hypermobility and neurodivergenceWhy hypermobility may be associated with ADHD, autism, and other neurological differencesThe connection between hypermobility and POTSHow mast cell activation and hypermobility frequently overlapWhy hypermobility may contribute to digestive symptoms and gut dysfunctionThe relationship between connective tissue health and chronic painHow hypermobility may influence recovery from infections and environmental exposuresThe connection between hypermobility, fatigue, and chronic illnessWhy nutrient deficiencies are common in hypermobile individualsThe importance of protein, minerals, vitamin C, vitamin D, and connective tissue supportWhy identifying hypermobility early may help support long-term health outcomes Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    13 min
  6. Lyme Testing Misses More Than Most People Realize – Why Diagnosis Remains One of the Biggest Challenges in Lyme Disease with Veronica Porterfield | Lyme Disease | E153

    Jun 15

    Lyme Testing Misses More Than Most People Realize – Why Diagnosis Remains One of the Biggest Challenges in Lyme Disease with Veronica Porterfield | Lyme Disease | E153

    🔥 What if one of the biggest challenges with Lyme disease isn’t treatment… but getting the diagnosis in the first place? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on chronic illness, missed diagnoses, and the root causes that often go overlooked. What if Lyme disease is often missed because the testing was never designed to catch every case? In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Veronica Porterfield conclude their Lyme disease series by exploring one of the most controversial and misunderstood aspects of Lyme disease: diagnosis and testing. They explain why Lyme disease can be difficult to identify, why negative test results do not always rule out infection, and how the bacteria’s unique ability to evade the immune system creates significant challenges for conventional testing. The conversation also explores the differences between antibody testing, Western Blot testing, specialty laboratory testing, and emerging diagnostic technologies. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Hartman and Veronica emphasize the importance of treating the patient rather than relying solely on laboratory results. They also explain how co-infections, chronic immune dysfunction, environmental factors, and gaps in clinician training can contribute to delayed diagnoses and prolonged suffering for many patients. About the Guest Veronica Porterfield, PA-C, IFMCP, MS, LN, MPAS is a functional medicine practitioner specializing in Lyme disease, chronic infections, mold-related illness, autoimmune conditions, and complex chronic health challenges. She is known for her root-cause approach to patient care and her expertise in helping patients navigate difficult-to-diagnose chronic illnesses. Key Topics Covered Why Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose accuratelyThe limitations of standard Lyme antibody testingWhy a negative Lyme test does not always rule out infectionThe differences between screening tests, Western Blot testing, and specialty testingHow Lyme disease can interfere with normal immune responsesWhy antibody production does not always follow expected patternsUnderstanding Lyme-specific antibody bands and Western Blot interpretationThe differences between sensitivity and specificity in diagnostic testingHow specialty Lyme laboratories differ from conventional testingEmerging technologies used in Lyme disease detectionWhy co-infections can complicate both diagnosis and treatmentThe role of Bartonella, Babesia, and other tick-borne infectionsWhy clinician training and experience matter in complex chronic illnessThe impact of environmental toxins and immune dysfunction on chronic symptomsWhy patient symptoms remain a critical part of the diagnostic processHow advocacy and education can help patients navigate complex diagnoses Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    41 min
  7. Peptides Work Best When the Foundation Is Strong – How They Support the Body’s Natural Healing Process with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Peptides | E152

    Jun 12

    Peptides Work Best When the Foundation Is Strong – How They Support the Body’s Natural Healing Process with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Peptides | E152

    🔥 What if peptides work best not as a shortcut… but as a way to support the healing systems your body already has? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on restoring health by removing obstacles and supporting the body's natural ability to heal. What if peptides are most effective when they support the body's natural healing process? In this minisode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman concludes his peptide series by sharing how he actually uses peptides in clinical practice and where they fit within a functional medicine approach to healing. Rather than viewing peptides as standalone solutions, Dr. Hartman explains why they work best when combined with strong foundations such as nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, and correcting nutrient deficiencies. He discusses how peptides can serve as targeted tools that help support healing, tissue repair, immune function, gut recovery, metabolic health, and healthy aging when used appropriately. The episode also explores who may benefit from peptide therapy, who should avoid it, how practitioners evaluate risk, and why personalized treatment plans remain essential. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hartman emphasizes a core principle of functional medicine: identify what is preventing the body from healing, remove the obstacles, and provide the support needed for recovery. Key Topics Covered How peptides fit into a functional medicine approach to health and healingWhy peptides work best when foundational health habits are already in placeThe relationship between peptides, nutrition, and adequate protein intakeHow peptides may support gut healing and tissue repairThe role of peptides in immune regulation and chronic inflammationWhy growth hormone naturally declines with ageHow peptides may support recovery, resilience, and healthy agingThe connection between peptides and metabolic healthWhy practitioners should identify root causes before adding advanced therapiesHow functional medicine focuses on removing obstacles to healingWho may be a good candidate for peptide therapyWhy active cancer and certain cancer histories require additional cautionThe importance of individualized treatment plans and monitoringHow regulatory changes continue to affect peptide availabilityWhy peptides should complement, not replace, foundational lifestyle interventions Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    12 min
  8. Treating Lyme Disease Takes More Than Antibiotics – The Hidden Factors That Determine Recovery with Veronica Porterfield | Lyme Disease | E151

    Jun 8

    Treating Lyme Disease Takes More Than Antibiotics – The Hidden Factors That Determine Recovery with Veronica Porterfield | Lyme Disease | E151

    🔥 What if some people continue struggling with Lyme disease not because treatment failed… but because the infection is far more complex than many realize? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on chronic illness, overlooked root causes, and personalized healing. What if treating Lyme disease requires much more than antibiotics alone? In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Veronica Porterfield continue their Lyme disease series by exploring why treating chronic Lyme disease can be far more complicated than simply prescribing antibiotics. They discuss how Lyme bacteria can change forms, evade treatment, hide within biofilms, and interact with the immune system in ways that make recovery highly individualized. The conversation explores why some patients improve quickly while others require a broader approach that includes immune support, detoxification, biofilm disruption, herbal therapies, inflammation management, and addressing environmental factors such as mold exposure and toxin burden. Dr. Hartman and Veronica also explain why personalized treatment plans matter, how Herxheimer reactions can complicate recovery, and why factors such as mast cell activation, chronic inflammation, gut health, and environmental toxins often influence treatment outcomes. About the Guest Veronica Porterfield, PA-C, IFMCP, MS, LN, MPAS is a functional medicine practitioner specializing in Lyme disease, chronic infections, mold-related illness, autoimmune conditions, and complex chronic health challenges. She is known for her root-cause approach to patient care and her expertise in helping patients navigate difficult-to-diagnose chronic illnesses. Key Topics Covered Why Lyme disease can become difficult to treat in chronic casesThe difference between acute Lyme disease and chronic Lyme diseaseWhy standard Lyme treatment may not work for every patientHow Lyme bacteria change forms to evade treatmentThe role of bacterial biofilms in chronic infectionWhy biofilm disruption is often an important part of treatmentThe differences between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibioticsWhy some practitioners use herbal therapies alongside conventional treatmentThe role of immune regulation in Lyme recoveryUnderstanding Herxheimer reactions and symptom flares during treatmentHow environmental toxins and mold exposure may complicate recoveryThe relationship between mast cell activation and chronic Lyme symptomsWhy inflammation and cytokine responses influence treatment outcomesHow detoxification pathways impact symptom managementWhy treatment plans must be individualized for each patientThe importance of diet, gut health, and lifestyle factors during recovery Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    41 min
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4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

You were made for health—vibrant, thriving, and full of possibility. But navigating today’s broken healthcare system, endless misinformation, and confusion can feel overwhelming. On Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman cuts through the noise to deliver science-backed solutions that restore your health and reignite your hope. Join us each week for expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring conversations that empower you to harness your body’s incredible power to heal. Whether you're seeking clarity, direction, or just a trusted voice, this podcast is your roadmap to the vibrant life you were made for.

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