Made for Health

• 78: Is It Anxiety—or Dysautonomia? – The Hidden Nervous System Disorder Behind Fatigue and Brain Fog with Dr. Aaron Hartman

  Could your chronic fatigue, anxiety, or dizziness actually be signs of an underlying autonomic imbalance like POTS?In this episode, the host unpacks the complex world of dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)—conditions that arise when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) stops functioning properly. Affecting heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and even emotional regulation, dysautonomia can lead to a wide range of symptoms that are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.The discussion explains the five key components of the autonomic nervous system, explores diagnostic methods, and reveals how these conditions often overlap with other chronic illnesses such as Lyme disease and autoimmune disorders. Treatment strategies—from nutrition and hydration to emerging therapies—are also reviewed, emphasizing a functional and individualized approach to care.Listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences with chronic fatigue, anxiety, or cardiovascular symptoms as possible signs of autonomic imbalance. The next episode in the series will focus on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), continuing the deep dive into interconnected “mystery illnesses.”Show HighlightsWhat dysautonomia and POTS are, and how they affect the body’s regulatory systems.The five main components of the autonomic nervous system.Why dysautonomia is frequently misdiagnosed or mistaken for anxiety.The overlap between POTS, Lyme disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic fatigue.Key diagnostic tools and functional testing options.Nutritional and lifestyle strategies to support autonomic balance.Emerging therapies that address the root causes of dysautonomia.How functional medicine views dysautonomia as a whole-body issue.A preview of next week’s topic: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.In This Episode, You Will LearnHow the autonomic nervous system regulates vital functions and how dysregulation leads to widespread symptoms.The role of hydration, salt intake, and balanced nutrition in managing POTS.The impact of stress, infections, and inflammation on autonomic function.Steps to identify and address underlying causes through functional medicine.Why early recognition and personalized care can improve long-term outcomes.Resources & LinksRichmond Integrative & Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.comYouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: @AaronHartmanMDMentioned in this episode:Get the FREE Real Food Sourcing GuideWe've put together this free resource to help you find real, nutrient dense food in your local area. Healing starts in the gut and eating real food is the fastest way to heal! Click the link below and download it for FREE!Get the Real Food Sourcing Guide Here!

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• 77: She Beat Cancer & Chronic Illness – The Healing Power of Functional Medicine with Denise Tarkington

  What if the key to healing chronic illness isn’t more medication—but finding doctors who truly listen and treat the root cause?In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Made for Health, Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine features Denise Tarkington, a patient who shares her remarkable healing journey through cancer, POTS, and chronic illness.Denise opens up about the frustrations of navigating conventional healthcare, the turning points that led her to explore functional medicine, and the powerful role of self-advocacy and persistence in her recovery. Through addressing root causes—including gut health, nutrition, and inflammation—she found a path toward renewed vitality and hope.Her story underscores the importance of trusting your instincts, seeking comprehensive care, and partnering with practitioners who listen. This conversation is a testament to the life-changing potential of integrating functional and conventional medicine for long-term healing.Show HighlightsDenise’s journey through cancer, POTS, and chronic illness.How traditional medical approaches sometimes miss root causes.The pivotal role of functional medicine in identifying underlying imbalances.Gut health, nutrition, and detoxification as cornerstones of recovery.The emotional and psychological challenges of chronic illness.Finding doctors who collaborate, listen, and personalize treatment.Why self-advocacy is essential in modern healthcare.The power of persistence and hope in overcoming long-term illness.Lessons learned from integrating functional and conventional medicine.In This Episode, You Will LearnHow addressing gut health and nutrient deficiencies can transform chronic illness outcomes.Why patients must take an active role in their healing journey.How functional medicine approaches differ from conventional treatment models.The importance of emotional resilience and supportive healthcare partnerships.Practical advice for those navigating complex or misunderstood conditions.Resources & LinksRichmond Integrative & Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.comYouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: @AaronHartmanMDMentioned in this episode:Get the FREE Real Food Sourcing GuideWe've put together this free resource to help you find real, nutrient dense food in your local area. Healing starts in the gut and eating real food is the fastest way to heal! Click the link below and download it for FREE!Get the Real Food Sourcing Guide Here!

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• 76: The Mystery Illness That Looks Like Everything – Understanding Autoimmunity with Dr. Aaron Hartman

  Could your unexplained symptoms be signs of an autoimmune process your immune system started years before diagnosis?In this installment of the Mystery Illnesses series, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the complex world of autoimmune diseases—a group of more than 120 conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.He explains why autoimmune diseases are systemic, inflammatory, and often difficult to diagnose, and how early detection through predictive autoimmunity testing can change long-term outcomes. The discussion highlights key contributing factors such as genetic predisposition, chronic infections, leaky gut, environmental toxins, and triggering events that can set autoimmunity in motion.Dr. Hartman emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing and personalized management—approaches that address root causes rather than just symptoms. This episode encourages listeners to deepen their understanding of autoimmunity, advocate for thorough evaluation, and take proactive steps toward healing.Show HighlightsThe systemic and inflammatory nature of autoimmune diseases.Why diagnosis can take years and is often missed in standard medicine.Introduction to predictive autoimmunity and early detection strategies.How genetic predisposition interacts with environmental and lifestyle factors.The role of chronic infections, gut permeability, and stress as triggers.The connection between autoimmunity, nutrition, and detoxification pathways.How functional medicine uses comprehensive testing for targeted care.The importance of personalized, long-term management and prevention.Preview of upcoming topics: anemia and mast cell activation syndrome.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy autoimmune disease is a spectrum, not a single diagnosis.The difference between treating symptoms and addressing immune dysfunction.How to identify early warning signs through lab testing and symptom mapping.What “leaky gut” and chronic infections have to do with autoimmunity.Practical steps to reduce triggers and support immune balance.🌐 Resources & Links:Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.comYouTube – Aaron Hartman, MD: @AaronHartmanMDMentioned in this episode:Get the FREE Real Food Sourcing GuideWe've put together this free resource to help you find real, nutrient dense food in your local area. Healing starts in the gut and eating real food is the fastest way to heal! Click the link below and download it for FREE!Get the Real Food Sourcing Guide Here!

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• 75: We’ve Been Getting Sleep Wrong! – The Shocking Truth About Rest, Recovery & Longevity with Dr. Christian Jenski

  What if fixing your sleep was the single most powerful way to restore your energy, balance your hormones, and protect your long-term health?In this insightful episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked foundations of well-being—sleep. They break down the science behind sleep initiation, maintenance, and efficiency, explaining how lifestyle choices, nutrient status, and underlying medical conditions can dramatically influence sleep quality. From sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome to the impact of caffeine, blue light, and stress, the conversation explores both pharmaceutical and natural interventions, emphasizing an integrative, personalized approach to achieving restorative rest.Whether you struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling unrested, this episode offers the practical science and actionable strategies you need to start reclaiming your nights—and your health.Show HighlightsThe importance of sleep initiation and maintaining proper sleep hygiene for overall wellness.How lifestyle habits like caffeine intake, eating late, and irregular schedules disrupt rest.The role of restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and idiopathic hypersomnia in chronic sleep issues.Understanding sleep efficiency and why it’s a key indicator of restorative rest.Functional medicine insights on how gut health, blood sugar balance, and nutrient deficiencies impact sleep.A review of pharmaceutical interventions including trazodone, gabapentin, and low-dose naltrexone—and when to use them safely.The risks of common sleep medications such as benzodiazepines and Ambien, especially in long-term use.Non-pharmaceutical tools for improving sleep—breathwork, herbal remedies, and stress reduction.Why personalized sleep plans outperform one-size-fits-all approaches.Practical, actionable tips for improving sleep quality naturally and sustainably.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy sleep is a vital biomarker for long-term health and hormone balance.The connection between gut health, detox pathways, and restorative sleep.How to identify and address the root causes of poor sleep, not just symptoms.The critical role of circadian rhythm alignment for hormonal and metabolic health.Why children and chronically ill patients need special consideration with sleep aids.Real-world strategies to improve sleep onset, depth, and consistency.Resources & LinksDr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.comLinkedIn – Dr. Aaron Hartman: Connect HereYouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch HereMentioned in this episode:Get the FREE Real Food Sourcing GuideWe've put together this free resource to help you find real, nutrient dense food in your local area. Healing starts in the gut and eating real food is the fastest way to heal! Click the link below and download it for FREE!Get the Real Food Sourcing Guide Here!

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• 74: Is Mold Making You Sick? – The Hidden Threat of Water-Damaged Buildings with Dr. Aaron Hartman

  Could hidden mold in your home be the real cause behind brain fog, fatigue, and chronic illness that doctors can’t explain?In this mini-episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman shines a light on the serious health impacts of water-damaged buildings, with a focus on Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) caused by mold exposure.He explains how CIRS is often overlooked and frequently overlaps with other complex conditions such as chronic Lyme disease, mast cell activation syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and dysautonomia. Because symptoms can span both physical and psychological domains—ranging from brain fog and fatigue to joint pain and mood changes—diagnosis is notoriously difficult.Dr. Hartman outlines key diagnostic considerations and stresses that the most important step in treatment is removing exposure. By raising awareness, this episode helps listeners recognize the environmental root causes of illness that often go undetected in standard medical practice.✅ Show Highlights:What Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is and how it developsThe role of mold and water-damaged buildings in triggering chronic illnessWhy CIRS overlaps with conditions like Lyme, mast cell activation, autoimmunity, and dysautonomiaThe broad spectrum of physical and psychological symptoms that complicate diagnosisEnvironmental awareness as a missing piece in chronic illness careWhy eliminating exposure is the most crucial step toward healing 💡 In This Episode, You Will Learn:How environmental factors like mold can trigger multi-system illnessWhy conventional testing often misses mold-related and CIRS diagnosesHow to recognize overlapping symptoms across chronic conditionsWhat steps are essential for identifying and removing toxic exposuresWhy awareness is the first step to recovery and advocacy 🌐 Resources & Links:Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.comYouTube – Aaron Hartman, MD: @AaronHartmanMDMentioned in this episode:Get the FREE Real Food Sourcing GuideWe've put together this free resource to help you find real, nutrient dense food in your local area. Healing starts in the gut and eating real food is the fastest way to heal! Click the link below and download it for FREE!Get the Real Food Sourcing Guide Here!

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