Treating mold illness can be challenging. That’s why an integrative approach to diagnosis and treatment is often needed. In this interview, Eric Dorninger, ND, LAc, describes his integrative mold illness protocol. At his practice in Louisville, CO, Dorninger is well-versed in finding and treating underlying causes of chronic illness, which includes mold illness.

About the Expert

Eric Dorninger, ND, LAc, began his healthcare journey with a pre-med degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he immersed himself in diverse medical experiences, from volunteering at Porter Care Hospice to training as an EMT under herbalist Brigette Mars. His passion for holistic healing led him to pursue a doctor of naturopathic medicine and master of science in acupuncture at Bastyr University, culminating in a residency in naturopathic primary care. In 2005, he founded Roots and Branches Integrative Health Care, focusing on uncovering the root causes of chronic illness. Dorninger is not concerned with “what you have” as much as he is with “why you have it.” He uses reproducible, validated labs and imaging to find hidden, underlying causes of mystery illnesses and brings a relentlessly thorough diagnostic approach to solving the riddles of chronic illness. Dorninger's commitment to innovative diagnosis and treatment extends to his role as a certified Shoemaker practitioner, educator, researcher, and podcast host, enriching the field with his holistic approach to health and wellness.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is dominating headlines and dinner table conversations, and many of us are interested in understanding the impacts it may have on our lives and our practices. Emerging research points to the many ways we can expect AI to play in healthcare in the coming months and years, and it would be a good idea for healthcare providers to take heed.

This roundtable discussion features three experts: Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, who is a medical editor and naturopathic oncologist; Marina Sirota, PhD, who is a researcher and biomedical informatics expert and associate professor with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); and Charlotta Lindvall, MD, PhD, who is a researcher, assistant professor at Harvard, and the Director of Clinical Informatics at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

They discuss current research on AI in healthcare, and explore the concerns that need to be addressed before employing AI fully in the healthcare system.

About the Experts

Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, is editor in-chief of Natural Medicine Journal and the creator of Round Table Cancer Care. Kaczor is a naturopathic physician board certified in naturopathic oncology. She received her naturopathic doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and completed her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She is also the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and cofounder of The Cancer Pod, a podcast for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and everyone in between.

Marina Sirota, PhD, is an associate professor and the acting director at the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute at UCSF. Prior to that, she worked as a senior research scientist at Pfizer, where she focused on developing precision medicine strategies in drug discovery. She completed her PhD in biomedical informatics at Stanford University. Sirota’s research experience in translational bioinformatics spans nearly 20 years, during which she has coauthored over 170 scientific publications. Her research interests lie in developing computational integrative methods and applying these approaches in the context of disease diagnostics and therapeutics with a special focus on women’s health. The Sirota laboratory is funded by the National Institute on Aging, the National Library of Medicine, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Pfizer, March of Dimes, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Dr Sirota also is the director of the AI4ALL program at UCSF, with the goal of introducing high school girls to applications of AI and machine learning in biomedicine, and she leads the outreach and advocacy efforts at the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute.

Charlotta Lindvall, MD, PhD, is a practicing palliative care physician, assistant professor, and director of Clinical Informatics at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She leads a cross-disciplinary research team of physicians, nurses, and computer scientists to develop AI to extract patient-centered outcomes from clinical narratives and conversations. ClinicalRegex, a software developed by her lab, is used to identify text-based primary outcomes in multiple clinical trials involving tens of thousands of patients in the United States. She leads the Clinical Informatics AI strategy at Dana-Farber and is a technical expert on AI for the National Quality Forum. Dr Lindvall has received multiple awards and prizes, including a NPCRC Junior Investigator Award, a Sojourns Scholar Award, and an Innovation Award from the National Quality Forum. Funding for her research includes grants from the Cambia Health Foundation, the Veteran Affairs, and the National Institutes of Health.

In this interview, Karolyn talks with Lilian Cheung, DSc, RD, who is the Director of Health Promotion & Communications and Director of Mindfulness Research and Practice at Harvard. Cheung discusses the recent release of the 2023/2024 Healthy Living Guide and her work with the new Thich Nhat Hanh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health at Harvard.

About the Expert

Lilian Cheung, DSc, RD, is lecturer, director of Health Promotion & Communication, and director of Mindfulness Research and Practice at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition. She is the editorial director of The Nutrition Source, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s nutrition website and co-editorial director of Asian Diabetes Prevention Initiative and Obesity Prevention Source. Her work focuses on translating science-based recommendations into public health communications and programs. Her insight into healthy living and mindfulness practice led to Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life, coauthored with Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (2010).

 

On this podcast episode, you will get a “state-of-the-union” of naturopathic medicine. Karolyn is joined by 3 naturopathic medicine experts: Natural Medicine Journal Editor-in-Chief, Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO; Executive Director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), Laura Farr; and the President and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), Michelle Simon, PhD, ND. All 3 experts provide different perspectives on naturopathic medicine, specifically regarding consumer education, research, legislation, and future goals.

About the Experts

Laura Culberson Farr has served as Executive Director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians since 2017 and has worked with the naturopathic profession since 2005. A political organizer by training, her advocacy work as a grassroots organizer and consultant spans over 28 years. She has a deep knowledge of the complexities of healthcare reform, and has become an expert on how naturopathic doctors, conventional clinics and insurers can work together to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. She is married to a naturopathic physician and is passionately committed to integrating naturopathic medicine into primary care systems across the country.

Michelle Simon, PhD, ND, is President and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating consumers about natural medicine.  INM focuses on increasing awareness of natural medicine, demonstrating its efficacy in helping to transform healthcare systems, and connecting patients to naturopathic doctors. She earned her naturopathic doctorate from Bastyr University and her PhD in Biomedical Engineering is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been awarded Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Champion of Naturopathic Medicine by the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, is editor in-chief of Natural Medicine Journal and the creator of Round Table Cancer Care. Kaczor is a naturopathic physician board certified in naturopathic oncology. She received her naturopathic doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and completed her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She is also the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and cofounder of The Cancer Pod, a podcast for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and everyone in between.

The CDC recently announced that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is more common than previously thought. To address this condition from an integrative approach, Karolyn talks with leading CFS expert Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. Teitelbaum discusses his most recent research, as well as the integrative approach he pioneered to help patients regain their energy levels. Teitelbaum is the lead author of 8 studies looking at effective integrative treatments for fibromyalgia and CFS.

About the Expert

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is a board-certified internist and nationally known expert in the fields of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep and pain. He has authored numerous books including the best-selling From Fatigued to Fantastic! (now in its 4th edition). He is the lead author of numerous studies on effective treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and one study on effective treatment of autism using NAET. He also developed the popular free smartphone app “Cures A-Z.” Teitelbaum lives in Kona, Hawaii.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autoimmune diseases are the third most common category of diseases in the United States after heart disease and cancer. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, making this area of medicine complex and in need of attention from an integrative standpoint. Rheumatology expert Anastasia Stocker, ND, LAc, has expertise in working with patients who are on autoimmune medications. She describes the benefits and risks of medications while exploring integrative approaches that can help with medication tapering or discontinuation when appropriate.

About the Expert

Anastasia Stocker, ND, LAc, received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine and master of science in acupuncture and Oriental medicine at Bastyr University in Seattle, and her bachelor of science in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This multidisciplinary academic career forged her health philosophy: Healing should be an integration of evidence-based science and traditional natural medicine.

Stocker practices at Aria Integrative Medicine in Seattle, with a focus on autoimmune diseases, digestive wellness, environmental medicine, and women's health. She is also the vice president of the Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Stocker is interested in autoimmune diseases and using her clinical experience in managing complex cases while utilizing integrative approaches. She is passionate about intersecting naturopathic medicine with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, visceral, and craniosacral therapies to facilitate lasting improvements in patients with acute and chronic disease.

Post-acute sequelae of Covid-19 (PASC), also called long-Covid, has been the subject of increasing research. PASC describes the ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms or conditions present 30 or more days after infection, and it has become a major clinical and public health concern. This roundtable discussion focuses on cognitive, cardiovascular, and autoimmune effects of long-Covid. Roundtable experts include naturopathic oncologist and Editor-in-Chief of the Natural Medicine Journal, Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO; cardiovascular expert and clinician, Daniel Chong, ND; and immunologist and professor Heather Zwickey, PhD.

About the Experts

Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, is editor in-chief of Natural Medicine Journal and the creator of Round Table Cancer Care. Kaczor is a naturopathic physician board certified in naturopathic oncology. She received her naturopathic doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and completed her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She is also the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and cofounder of The Cancer Pod, a podcast for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and everyone in between.

Daniel Chong, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician who has been practicing in Portland, OR, since 2000. He earned his naturopathic doctorate from National University of Natural Medicine. Chong’s focus is on risk assessment, prevention, and drug-free treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition to his degree in naturopathic medicine, Chong has completed certificate training in cardiometabolic medicine at The Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, a BaleDoneen Method Preceptorship, and served for 4 years as a clinical consultant for Boston Heart Diagnostics. He currently  maintains a telehealth-based practice. You can learn more about him at cardiowellnessconsults.com.

Heather Zwickey, PhD, is a professor of immunology and chair of the Department of Health Sciences at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She launched the Helfgott Research Institute, which advances the science of natural medicine. Zwickey founded the school of graduate studies and developed masters programs in research, nutrition, and global health. Zwickey has received the Champion of Naturopathic Medicine Award from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She currently leads a National Institutes of Health–funded clinical research training program focused on integrative medicine research and studies the gut-brain axis in neuroinflammation.

While ovarian cancer is not nearly as common as breast cancer, it is 3 times as deadly. Early diagnosis remains key to survival. In this interview, University of Southern California researcher and professor Bodour Salhia, PhD, describes why ovarian cancer is so lethal. She also discusses a recent paper that she and her colleagues published regarding the potential of early detection of the deadliest form of ovarian cancer.

About the Expert

Bodour Salhia, PhD, is the interim chair of the Department of Translational Genomics at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and a member of the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is coleader of the Epigenetic Regulation in Cancer Program and director of the Inaugural Preclinical Models Shared Resource at USC Norris. She is an elected member of the Keck School of Medicine Faculty Council and is the Co-Chair of the University Research Committee. Salhia earned her bachelor of science, master of health science, and doctorate degrees at the University of Toronto.

As a translational scientist with extensive knowledge and expertise in mechanisms that underlie tumorigenesis and tumor biology, Salhia merges cutting-edge genomics/epigenomics analyses with cell biological and functional studies toward the investigation of clinically relevant problems in human cancer and other disease processes.

The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) is on a mission to advance the philosophy, science, and practice of naturopathic oncology. In this interview, Erica Joseph, ND, FABNO, discusses important issues associated with naturopathic oncology, including collaborating with conventional oncology, past research, and future objectives.   About the Expert

Erica Joseph, ND, FABNO, is a board-certified naturopathic oncologist and acupuncturist practicing at Seattle Integrative Oncology (SIO), where she completed a 2-year oncology-based naturopathic residency. She received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine, as well as a master’s degree in acupuncture, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology from Bastyr University. Joseph currently sees patients in both private practice and at the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership in Everett, WA, where she helps lead the integrative cancer care program. The private practice of Joseph and her colleagues at Seattle Integrative Oncology proudly provides one of the few naturopathic residencies in the Pacific Northwest. Outside her practice, Joseph has served as president of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) since 2021. She is also a peer reviewer for the Journal of Integrative and Complimentary Medicine (JICM) and a contributor to the Natural Medicine Journal.

Interest and research regarding psilocybin has grown considerably over the past several years. In this interview, Emily Whinkin, ND, discusses the latest research and provides clinical guidance on the use of psilocybin. Whinkin is a naturopathic physician with the Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute in Seattle, where she also conducts research and explores altered states of consciousness.

About the Expert

Emily Whinkin, ND (she/they), is an integrative mental health practitioner, researcher, and psychonaut currently practicing at the Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute in Seattle. She holds Washington and Oregon licenses in naturopathic medicine and graduated with a master of science degree in integrative mental health from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. Clinically, Whinkin works to provide person-centered, relationally informed care at the confluence of entheogenic spiritual medicine, mental health, and reproductive/generative health. As an undergraduate, she studied both biology and religious studies, formally launching her work to explore and affirm the interdependence of mind, body, and spirit with a focus on cycles, transitions, and environment. Community connection, belonging, and collective transformation are central to Whinkin's vision of being well in the world. She works to reflect this framework in caring for each patient’s foundational vitality, resilience, and health contexts as 'root cause' approaches to healing. She is certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) by Postpartum Support International and Holistic Pelvic Care™ with Tami Kent, and she often weaves mindful somatic therapy and botanical medicine within psycho-spiritual work with all genders across the lifespan.

Testing and test results are critical to any integrative practice because they help form effective treatment protocols. In this interview, we profile 3 functional wellness tests with integrative clinician, professor, and researcher Dr. Oscar Coatzee. Metabolic status, gastrointestinal health, and genomics are discussed. Dr. Coatzee provides advice on how to best utilize these tests in clinical practice.

About the Expert Oscar Coetzee, PhD, was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his bachelor’s degree with majors in criminology and psychology. Coetzee holds 2 master's degrees, one in Organizational Psychology and another in Human Nutrition. He received his PhD in holistic nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health.   Coetzee is currently a faculty member at the University of Bridgeport and is the associate director of the Nutrition Track in the Doctor of Health Science Degree. He is also an associate professor at Maryland University of Integrative Health and an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown Medical School. Courses he currently teaches include clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, pathophysiology, advanced nutritional biochemistry and assessment, functional lab assessment, and organizational development.   Coetzee is a Certified Board Supervisor for the CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialists) and is currently on the national board exam committee for the National Association of Nutritional Professionals (NANP).    About the Sponsor  For over 30 years, Designs for Health (DFH) has been at the forefront of the natural and integrative medicine movement inspired by the vision of designing a well world™ for all. With over 320 researched-based nutritional products with quality-tested formulas, DFH continues to pioneer new approaches to nutritional science through a robust innovation pipeline, paired with uncompromising support and commitment to practitioners’ ever-evolving needs