34 - Environmental Medicine & Root-Cause Healing with Dr. Janet Opila-Lehman

Send us Fan Mail Introduction to Dr. Janet Opila-Lehman and Environmental Medicine In this episode of the Wellness in Asheville Podcast, host Travis Richardson sits down with Dr. Janet Opila-Lehman, a naturopathic doctor, occupational therapist, and bodywork practitioner with over 40 years of healthcare experience in Western North Carolina. Travis opens with his own family's story: a decade-long mystery illness that conventional medicine couldn't explain, eventually traced back to mold exposure in the home. Dr. Janet explains why naturopathic medicine focuses on root causes instead of symptoms, and why the gut, mitochondria, and environment are the first places she looks when a patient isn't feeling well. The conversation moves through real case studies — including a child whose sleep disruption traced back to mold and EMF exposure — before diving into supplements, cholesterol myths, and the three foundational pillars of longevity: food, sleep, and movement. Key Takeaways: Naturopathic doctors complete the same medical training as conventional doctors, but prioritize identifying root causes over managing symptoms The gut is often the first place chronic illness begins, especially with low stomach acid and microbiome imbalance Environmental exposures — mold, EMFs, glyphosate, and household chemicals — are frequently overlooked drivers of chronic symptoms Mitochondrial health and cellular "cleanup" processes (autophagy) play a major role in how we age Food, sleep, and movement remain the three most powerful longevity tools, ahead of any supplement Cholesterol isn't inherently "bad" — inflammation and damaged LDL particles are the real concern Timestamps: 00:00 – 02:15 | Travis's mold story and how it reshaped his view of health 02:15 – 05:00 | Meet Dr. Janet: three careers, one healing philosophy 05:00 – 08:30 | Naturopathic vs. Western medicine: root cause over symptom care 08:30 – 13:00 | Common root causes: gut health, stress, and the microbiome 13:00 – 16:30 | Mitochondria, thyroid function, and why fatigue isn't just aging 16:30 – 21:30 | Case study: mold and EMFs disrupting a child's sleep 21:30 – 26:00 | Mast cells, histamine, and a mold recovery story 26:00 – 31:00 | Autophagy, senescence, and the biology of healthy aging 31:00 – 34:00 | Food, sleep, and movement: the three pillars of longevity 34:00 – 37:00 | Movement and socialization as an underrated longevity tool 37:00 – 43:00 | Using the EWG to choose safer skincare and household products 43:00 – 49:00 | Longevity supplements: curcumin, CoQ10, fish oil, and probiotics 49:00 – 52:00 | Cholesterol myths, inflammation, and the future of longevity science 52:00 – 55:00 | How to work with Dr. Janet and closing thoughts Episode Links: Be Well Asheville Wellness in Asheville Podcast Archive WNC Naturopathic Medicine Environmental Working Group (EWG) Join the Asheville Wellness Collective Register for Taste of Wellness Asheville 2026 Brought to you by our sponsor, Auratherapy. The Wellness in Asheville podcast is produced by Be Well Asheville, your local news source covering health + wellness news + events in Asheville. Get the latest at bewellasheville.com or follow @bewellasheville.