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

What if so-called “mystery illnesses” are not mysterious at all, but the result of multiple systems being overwhelmed at the same time?
In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Dr. Christian Jenski to explore a growing category of conditions often labeled as “mystery illnesses.” While the symptoms may seem confusing or unrelated, these complex cases often share common underlying drivers such as chronic infections, mold exposure, environmental toxins, immune dysfunction, and nervous system dysregulation.
Together, they explain why many patients with chronic fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, digestive issues, or unexplained symptoms often fall through the cracks of conventional medicine. This conversation highlights the importance of clinical curiosity, whole-person thinking, and understanding the connections between body systems to uncover root causes and help patients finally move forward in their healing journey.

Key Topics Covered
Why “mystery illness” is often a systems problem, not a mystery
The role of chronic infections like Lyme, Epstein-Barr, and tick-borne illnesses
How environmental exposures such as mold and toxins contribute to chronic symptoms
Why conventional medicine struggles with complex, multi-system conditions
The concept of being the “specialty between specialties” in functional medicine
How nervous system symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue can signal underlying immune dysfunction
Cardiovascular and autonomic symptoms including POTS, dizziness, and heart rhythm changes
Digestive symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and organ inflammation
The connection between immune activation, swollen lymph nodes, and chronic viral reactivation
How layered triggers (stress, infection, toxins) create a domino effect in chronic illness

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine
🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/
📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD
Mentioned in this episode:
Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE
If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.
Dr. Hartmans wrote UnCURABLE to help you take back control of your health and your hope.
Visit the link below ⬇️ to get your copy and start your transformation today.
Get the new book UnCURABLE

What if lingering symptoms after mold or biotoxin exposure are not ongoing toxicity, but an overactive mast cell response?
In this minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores an often-overlooked reason people remain stuck in recovery after mold exposure or biotoxin illness: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). He explains how overactive mast cells can drive ongoing sensitivity to foods, chemicals, supplements, and environmental triggers, even after the original exposure has been addressed. Dr. Hartman also introduces the connection between mold, chronic inflammation, and the “pentad” pattern of symptoms that often appear together. This episode is especially helpful for those dealing with persistent symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, reactivity, or poor tolerance to treatment and wondering why progress has stalled.
Key Topics Covered
What Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is and how it affects the immune system
Why mold and biotoxin exposure can trigger ongoing mast cell dysfunction
The “pentad” pattern: GI issues, POTS, hypermobility, mast cell symptoms, and autoimmunity
Common signs of mast cell activation, including chemical sensitivity, food reactions, and sleep disruption
Why standard lab testing for MCAS is often difficult or inconclusive
How clinical trials of antihistamines or mast cell support are sometimes used to guide diagnosis
The concept of loss of tolerance (increased sensitivity to everyday exposures)
Why recovery may take months even after triggers are removed
The importance of clean supplements, low-trigger environments, and individualized treatment approaches

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine
🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/
📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD
Mentioned in this episode:
Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE
If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.
Dr. Hartmans wrote UnCURABLE to help you take back control of your health and your hope.
Visit the link below ⬇️ to get your copy and start your transformation today.
Get the new book UnCURABLE

What if cavities are not just about brushing and flossing, but a signal of microbiome imbalance and diet patterns?
In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Dr. Staci Whitman, DDS, to break down what functional dentistry really means and why oral health is never “just teeth.” Dr. Whitman explains how ultra processed foods, frequent snacking, and an acidic oral environment drive cavities through microbiome imbalance, and why many early cavities can be remineralized or arrested when you catch them in time. They also explore the oral gut brain connection, why gum inflammation can become systemic inflammation, and how airway issues like mouth breathing and narrow palates can impact sleep, behavior, and long term health, especially in kids.
👤 About the Guest
Dr. Staci Whitman is a leading authority in functional dentistry and a board certified pediatric, integrative, and naturopathic dentist. She is also one of the only dentists with functional medicine certification through the Institute for Functional Medicine. Dr. Whitman founded one of the leading functional pediatric dental practices in the US and lectures globally on oral systemic health, remineralization, and airway focused care.
🔑 Key Topics Covered
Why cavities are a modern disease tied to changes in the food landscape
How oral bacteria create acid that pulls minerals out of teeth
Why the frequency of eating matters as much as what you eat
Saliva as the “golden elixir” for remineralization and tooth repair
The bliss point and hyper palatable foods that keep people snacking
Oral pH testing, mouth breathing, and why acidity feeds harmful bacteria
The oral microbiome and how mouth bacteria can affect gut and brain health
Gum bleeding as a sign of systemic inflammation risk
Tonsil stones: common causes and practical strategies that can help
Airway health in kids: narrow arches, high palates, and sleep disordered breathing
Early expansion timing, myofunctional therapy, and why muscles matter for long term stability
Tongue ties: when to treat, when to monitor, and why it is not one size fits all
Hormones and oral health across puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause
Oral microbiome testing, including Bristle, and how it can guide targeted protocols

🔗 Resources & Links
Dr. Staci Whitman
Website: https://doctorstaci.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorstaci/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-whitman-dmd-ifmcp-b5845a9/
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What if the reason your symptoms haven’t been explained yet is because the condition you’re dealing with isn’t something the system is designed to look for?
In this minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman discusses one of the major challenges in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease and other tick borne infections. While the healthcare system is built to manage acute illness, many patients experience persistent symptoms that don’t fit standard treatment pathways.
He explains why chronic or complex infections are often overlooked, the limitations of standard testing, and why clinical context and symptom patterns matter. This short episode offers practical guidance for listeners who have ongoing symptoms and want to better understand when Lyme may be worth exploring.
Key Topics Covered
Why chronic Lyme and tick borne illnesses are often overlooked in conventional care
The difference between acute infection management and persistent symptom patterns
Why infectious disease specialists typically focus on acute cases
How current prevention and treatment guidelines may miss early or ongoing infection
The role of the Horowitz Symptom Questionnaire as a screening tool
Why exposure risk is higher than many people realize
Limitations of standard two step Lyme testing
How immune suppression can affect antibody results
When advanced testing methods may be helpful
Why Lyme may be considered in patients with chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune symptoms, or complex illness

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine
🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/
📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD
Mentioned in this episode:
Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE
If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.
Dr. Hartmans wrote UnCURABLE to help you take back control of your health and your hope.
Visit the link below ⬇️ to get your copy and start your transformation today.
Get the new book UnCURABLE

What if one of the most powerful tools for improving hormones, metabolism, and long-term health isn’t a supplement or treatment, but the quality of the food you eat every day?
In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman talks with Ashley Armstrong, PhD, former engineer turned regenerative farmer and co-founder of Nourish Food Club. After experiencing her own health challenges, Ashley began questioning mainstream nutrition guidance and the modern food system. Her journey led her into regenerative agriculture and a mission to help people access food they can trust.
Together, they explore how changes in farming practices, food processing, and fat composition may be influencing metabolic health, hormone balance, and chronic disease. The conversation also breaks down the differences between industrial agriculture and regenerative farming, why food sourcing matters, and how small consumer choices can support both personal health and a more resilient food system.
Listeners will also learn how Ashley co-founded Nourish Food Club and Angel Acres, creating a cooperative model that connects small regenerative farms directly with consumers while preserving soil health, animal welfare, and nutrient density.
Key Topics Covered
Ashley’s personal health journey and transition from engineering to regenerative farming
How modern nutrition guidance has influenced fat intake and metabolic health
The role of food quality and sourcing in energy, hormones, and gut health
How government policy and industrial agriculture shaped today’s food system
The difference between saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and changing dietary patterns
Why the fatty acid composition of food and livestock feed matters
What CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) are and how they differ from traditional farming
How regenerative agriculture supports soil health, nutrient density, and ecosystem balance
The connection between soil health, animal health, and human health
Why many small farms struggle economically and how cooperative models can help
How Nourish Food Club connects consumers with small regenerative farms
Practical advice for consumers: starting with one food item and improving sourcing over time

Therapies / Concepts Referenced
Regenerative agriculture
CAFO (confined animal feeding operations)
Ancestral and traditional food patterns
Fatty acid balance (saturated vs polyunsaturated fats)
Soil microbiome and nutrient density
Cooperative food distribution...