This Healthy Life

MEET THE GUEST Dr. Beth Westie is a Functional Medicine Practitioner, chiropractor, and best-selling author dedicated to women's hormone health. After her own struggle with ovarian cysts led her beyond birth control to nutrition-based healing, she created the Eat for Your Cycle™ Method. Author of The Female Fat Solution and The Female Menopause Solution, and host of The Female Health Solution Podcast, she's helped thousands of women balance their hormones naturally through her Hormone Foundations Program and speaking engagements. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT - Dr. Beth Westie's background: grew up on a Minnesota goat farm, former athlete, licensed in acupuncture/Chinese medicine - Her personal health story: recurring ovarian cysts after her third child, dismissed by conventional medicine, resolved through hormone regulation via Eastern medicine - Core topic: the "3 AM wake up" and what drives it - Cortisol's role: normal daily rhythm vs. chronic stress raising nighttime cortisol and triggering alertness - Blood sugar dips around 2-3 AM causing adrenaline surges that jolt people awake - Cortisol awakening response and the risk of it spiking too high, then crashing later in the day - Estrogen/progesterone balance and how luteal-phase (weeks 3-4) progesterone drops affect GABA receptors and sleep depth - Personal example of strength fluctuating across her cycle due to hormonal shifts - Using wearables to track sleep and heart rate patterns tied to cycle phases - The Dutch test (dried urine hormone panel) for assessing hormones, cortisol, neurotransmitters, and nutrients - Blood testing for glucose, insulin, and A1C, plus continuous glucose monitors - Thyroid function (TSH, T4, T3, antibodies) and its link to metabolism, detox, and sleep - Chinese medicine organ clock, with 1-3 AM linked to liver detoxification of hormones - Chronic stress accumulation ("rocks in a backpack" analogy) and women's tendency to self-neglect - Resting heart rate benchmarks (under 70 bpm) and how it varies by cycle phase - Comparing biometric data month-to-month (same cycle day) rather than day-to-day - Gut health's impact on sleep: poor digestive motility causing overnight bloating and discomfort - Histamine's connection to hormones: overproduction/poor clearance driving estrogen up in a feedback loop - Iron/ferritin deficiency as a common nutrient gap affecting overall function - Personalized, test-based treatment approach rather than one-size-fits-all protocols - Melatonin and other sleep aids often being the wrong fix when melatonin levels are already sufficient EPISODE RESOURCES Oura RingTracks sleep, heart rate, and HRV overnight to show how your cycle affects your rest. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/OuraRing Function Health Get lab-tested insight into your thyroid, hormones, blood sugar, and nutrient levels. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/FunctionHealth Swanwick Block blue light in the evening to support your natural melatonin and wind down easier. 15% off with code TRAILTOHEALTH. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/swanwick Thorne Clinical-grade iron and magnesium to help fill common nutrient gaps that impact energy, hormones, and sleep. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Thorne BiOptimizers Support digestion and gut motility to ease overnight bloating. Save 10% with code TRAILTOHEALTH. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/biooptimizer CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: http://drbethwestie.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbethwestie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbethwestie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drbethwestie YouTube: www.youtube.com/@drbethwestie.com KEYWORDS 3am wake up, insomnia, cortisol, blood sugar, hormones, progesterone, estrogen dominance, perimenopause sleep, thyroid, liver detox, histamine, gut health, Dutch test, sleep hormones, women's health

MEET THE GUEST Dr. Jill Carnahan, Your Functional Medicine Expert®, is dually board-certified and founder of Flatiron Functional Medicine. A survivor of breast cancer, Crohn's, and toxic mold illness, she uncovers root causes through advanced testing and personalized care. Her bestselling memoir Unexpected and documentary Doctor/Patient share her journey. A sought-after speaker, she inspires audiences with science-backed insight, authenticity, and humor. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT Bring dust sample kits (ERMI-style, e.g. Immunolytics) on every showing to test surfaces before making an offer. Learn visual red flags: warped floorboards, stained ceilings/corners, bathroom tile growth, and stucco type/installation quality. Keep a trusted mold inspector on call to do informal walkthroughs before an offer is made. Ask sellers pointed questions (dishwasher leaks, shower leaks, etc.); most were surprisingly honest. She toured 40+ homes; about 80% had significant mold, even in Colorado's dry climate and in expensive, newer homes. Her real question wasn't "is there mold" but "where is it, how fixable, and what will it cost." One stucco issue quoted at $250,000+ was a dealbreaker; minor sink/window-well leaks were manageable and budgeted in. She went under contract five times, backing out four times after formal inspections revealed major issues. Deal-breakers: foundational problems, roof/siding/stucco-wide water intrusion, and oddities like an indoor jacuzzi, versus minor, containable issues like a single leaky sink. Sellers sometimes pushed back hard on repair-cost requests, so having a knowledgeable realtor was essential. New homes aren't automatically safer: poor drywall/tile installation and off-gassing (formaldehyde, granite) are common, while very old homes carry decades of leak history. Her "sweet spot": homes roughly 8 to 15 years old. Crawl spaces and long-term single-owners with strong maintenance records are strong positive signals. Filing a legitimate mold claim on a past condo made it harder to get new homeowners insurance. Testing approach: dust (ERMI-style) plus air samples plus bulk/swab samples on visible growth; toilets and wax seals are common failure points worth replacing preemptively. In Colorado, buyers can exit contracts via "inspection objection" without disclosing mold specifically; she chose whether to share findings with sellers as a courtesy. Basements/window wells need proper stone (not mulch) and drainage to prevent water intrusion. Post-purchase upgrades: whole-home water filtration, Moen Flo smart shutoff with leak sensors at every fixture, and multiple air filtration units. Her advice: budget and stage fixes over time (water/roof/siding first) rather than trying to remediate everything at once. EPISODE RESOURCES AirDoctor Hospital-grade purifier that traps mold spores, allergens & VOCs for cleaner, healthier indoor air. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/AirDoctor Immunolytics Order at-home testing for mold in your home. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Immunolytics Aquasana Whole-home water filtration that removes contaminants for cleaner, safer water straight from every tap. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquasana Branch Basics Non-toxic cleaning products, perfect for a mold-safe move-in deep clean. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% off. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BranchBasics CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.jillcarnahan.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillcarnahan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironFunctionalMedicine YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJillCarnahan KEYWORDS mold-free home, house hunting mold, ERMI dust test, mold inspection, water damage, home buying tips, air purifier, water filtration

MEET THE GUEST Jamie Goldman, MS, CN, NBC-HWC is a Health Coach at Viome and a member of the company's Precision Nutrition Science team. Jamie combines expertise in functional medicine, nutrition science, and health coaching to help people translate complex health data into practical, sustainable lifestyle changes. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT Viome's at-home test kit: collect a sample, send to the lab, get a readout on gut and body-system function. Why Viome analyzes RNA, not DNA or blood biomarkers: RNA reflects active gene expression, not static genetic code. Stool RNA analysis reveals which gut microbes are present and what they're doing (e.g., methane gas production). Food recommendations target specific microbial activities: reducing trigger foods, adding foods that counter them. Why retesting every 4 to 6 months is recommended, giving enough time to see real change without overshooting. Supplements beyond food: vitamins, minerals, a 300+ ingredient plant extract library, probiotics, and prebiotic fibers. Why "gut-healthy" foods like yogurt and kombucha aren't universal (methane production, FODMAP sensitivity, sugar content). Viome users range from biohackers optimizing longevity to people with chronic, unexplained gut symptoms. The gut-brain axis: brain fog, low mood, fatigue, and poor cognitive clarity as signs of gut dysbiosis. Why generic probiotics are a gamble, versus matching strains to an individual's actual gut profile. A "healthy" microbiome means richness and diversity, like an old-growth forest versus an overgrown clear-cut. How antibiotics wipe out microbial diversity, and how to protect gut health during and after a course. Everyday gut disruptors: alcohol, sedentary behavior, chronic stress, and environmental toxins. Allergies (immune-driven, usually permanent), sensitivities (often from leaky gut, can resolve), and intolerances (genetic) differ. Emerging research: the estrobolome and estrogen metabolism, and the microbiome's link to bone density. Debunking carnivore: may ease GI symptoms short term but removing fiber isn't sustainable long term. Debunking juice cleanses: they strip fiber and effectively starve gut microbes. Best fiber sources: nuts, seeds, legumes, mushrooms, oats, hardier vegetables, and fruit. Prebiotic fiber types (FOS, PHGG) and why food-based fiber should come first, not just supplements. Starting advice: read ingredient labels, cut processed additives, and diversify diet with varied produce. EPISODE RESOURCES Viome Personalized gut health testing that analyzes your microbiome's RNA, with tailored food and supplement guidance. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/viome Bulletproof Innerfuel plant-based prebiotic fiber powder that feeds good gut bacteria. Save 20% with code TRAILTOHEALTH20. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/bulletproof Breadsrsly Naturally fermented, gluten-free sourdough breads and crackers. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH and save 15%. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BreadSRSLY Thrive Market Shop curated low-FODMAP and specialty diet groceries, making gut-friendly eating easier to find and afford. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/ThriveMarket Four Sigmatic Mushroom-powered coffees, elixirs, and supplements packed with beta-glucan fiber for gut support. 20% off with code ERIKA83918. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/foursigmatic CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: http://www.viome.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viome/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/viome KEYWORDS Gut health, microbiome, RNA testing, prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, dysbiosis

MEET THE GUEST Dr. Emily Kostelnik is a Clinical Health Psychologist specializing in vestibular disorders who brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to her work. She is the founder of two organizations: Rooted Behavioral Education offers virtual behavioral health courses and coaching for those with chronic dizziness and The Vestibular Psychologist is private practice providing individual therapy and professional consultation to help clients reclaim a full and meaningful life. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT Definition of the vestibular system, the inner ear's balance mechanism, working with vision and proprioception. Common inner-ear causes: BPPV (loose ear crystals) and Meniere's disease. Central/neurological causes: vestibular migraine and persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD). Vestibular migraine is the most common cause of dizziness in women under 60, often without head pain. Motion sickness in childhood as a possible early marker of vestibular migraine. Why diagnosis is hard: it falls between ENT and neurology specialties. Right specialists to see: otologist/neurotologist, balance-focused neurologist, headache specialist, or vestibular physical therapist. Ruling out other causes first (anemia, cardiac issues) before a vestibular diagnosis. Symptoms often appear "suddenly" but are usually building for a long time (the "final straw" concept). Root causes: nervous system dysregulation, toxic load, gut dysfunction, liver/bile issues. Overlap with MCAS, POTS, hypermobility, and neurodivergence (ADHD/autism). Mold exposure and mycotoxins as a major contributor to inflammation and vestibular symptoms. Nutrient deficiencies commonly seen (iron, vitamin D, B vitamins) in patients. Infections like Lyme disease, H. pylori, and candida as possible triggers. Histamine and mast cell activation's role in vestibular symptoms, and use of antihistamines/low-histamine diets. Ongoing research into hypermobility, connective tissue disorders, and genetic pathway variants in vestibular migraine. Prevalence: vestibular migraine affects about 1 to 2% of the population; BPPV affects about 7%. It's more common in women, with a research funding gap. Treatment options ranging from simple (repositioning maneuvers for BPPV) to complex (preventive medications, supplements, physical therapy, psychotherapy, root-cause approaches). Advice for listeners: start with a primary care doctor or vestibular physical therapist; hope lies in CGRP medications and inflammation-focused research. EPISODE RESOURCES Viome Uncover the gut-histamine connection behind your dizziness with an at-home test. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/viome Thorne Supplements including Quercetin Phytosome, a highly absorbable antioxidant that helps regulate histamine release. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Thorne Pulsetto A wearable vagus nerve stimulator that calms your nervous system in minutes. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Pulsetto Earthing Grounding products that calm nervous system dysregulation and reduce inflammation. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/earthing Tick Tock Repellent Natural tick protection to help prevent Lyme disease and its related complications. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/ticktocknaturals CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.rootedbehavioraleducation.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dremilykostelnik Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dremilykostelnik TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=%40dremilykostelnik&t=1785699859015 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rootedbehavioraleducation KEYWORDS vestibular disorder, vertigo causes, chronic dizziness, vestibular migraine, BPPV treatment, MCAS symptoms, histamine intolerance, mold toxicity, nervous system dysregulation, Lyme disease dizziness

MEET THE GUEST Dr. Torrie Thompson is a functional wellness practitioner, educator, and founder of Meraki Wellness Center. Known for her root-cause approach, she helps clients uncover hidden factors that may be impacting their health, including mold exposure, environmental toxins, heavy metals, gut dysfunction, and other overlooked stressors. After overcoming her own decade-long health journey as a young adult, Dr. Torrie made it her mission to help others find answers when conventional approaches have fallen short. Through advanced testing, she has helped thousands of clients pinpoint potential root causes of their health challenges so they can finally take control of their health. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT Meraki Wellness Center's specialties: mold, Lyme, parasites, autoimmune disease, environmental toxins "Test, don't guess" approach to root-cause diagnosis Standard lab panel: organic acids, mycotoxins, environmental toxins, heavy metals, stool testing Treatment sequencing: mold/mycotoxins, then gut, then heavy metals/environmental toxins Urine vs. blood testing for mycotoxins Provocation methods before mycotoxin testing (exercise, sauna, lymphatic massage) Old or past mold exposure as a hidden, ongoing source of illness Food-based mycotoxins in peanuts, grains, and coffee Rising environmental toxin loads seen in testing, including in children Why a "clean" current lifestyle doesn't clear past toxic exposure Detox tools: binders, sauna, lymphatic support, hydration, inflammation reduction Prevalence of parasites in chronic illness, including in the US Drainage pathways: lymphatic system, liver, kidneys, gut Bowel movements and sweating as prerequisites for detox Long COVID's overlap with tick-borne illness and reactivated viruses (EBV, CMV) Rising rates of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) Advanced testing: organic acids (OATs), neural zoomers, stealth infection panels Growing mainstream awareness of mold and toxin-related illness via social media Advice for starting a health journey: choosing a practitioner, using AI as a supplement, retesting to track progress EPISODE RESOURCES Higher Dose Infrared sauna blankets, PEMF mats & red light tools to support detox, circulation, and everyday recovery. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/HigherDose AquaTru Countertop reverse osmosis water filters that remove lead, PFAS, and chlorine. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquatru AirDoctor HEPA air purifiers designed to capture mold spores, VOCs, and ultrafine particles. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/aquatru DesBio Homeopathic drainage remedies to support the liver, lymphatic system, and detox pathways. Use this link for 5% off. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/DesBio Quicksilver Liposomal binders and liver-support formulas built to support detox and drainage pathways. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% off. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/QuicksilverScientific ImmunoLytics At-home mold testing kits with certified lab analysis, helping identify hidden indoor mold exposure. https://shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Immunolytics CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.drtorriethompson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtorriethompson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=%40drtorriethompson&t=1785697467862 KEYWORDS mold toxicity symptoms, mycotoxin testing, Lyme disease treatment, chronic illness root cause, environmental toxin detox, mast cell activation syndrome, parasite cleanse, liver detox support, lymphatic drainage, functional medicine practitioner, heavy metal detox, long COVID recovery