Functional Medicine Institute

Episode

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  Mold Exposure: The Harmful Threat You Can't See 16.09.2026 22mnt

  Could mold exposure be contributing to chronic symptoms that seem to have no clear explanation? In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C takes a deep dive into mold illness and the science behind how exposure to mold and water-damaged environments can affect the body. Drawing from her background in autoimmune disease, detoxification, metabolic health, and environmental medicine, Amber explores what we know about mold exposure, where the evidence is strongest, and why some people may be more susceptible than others. Amber breaks down the different exposures found in water-damaged buildings, including mold spores, mycotoxins, bacteria, endotoxins, beta-glucans, and microbial VOCs. She also explores the connection between mold exposure and respiratory problems, inflammation, immune dysfunction, brain fog, fatigue, headaches, hormonal imbalances, gut issues, and other chronic symptoms. The conversation also covers how functional medicine providers investigate potential mold illness, why a detailed environmental history matters, the role and limitations of urine mycotoxin testing, and why identifying and removing the source of exposure is considered the foundation of treatment. Amber explains how factors like genetics, immune health, liver and kidney function, previous toxin exposure, and overall toxic burden can influence how an individual responds to mold. Whether you're dealing with unexplained fatigue, chronic sinus issues, brain fog, autoimmune symptoms, digestive problems, or simply want to better understand the potential health effects of mold exposure, this episode offers an in-depth look at the current evidence and the functional medicine approach to identifying environmental contributors to chronic illness. In this episode, you'll learn: What the science actually says about mold exposure and human health The different types of exposures found in water-damaged buildings Why respiratory symptoms and asthma have some of the strongest evidence linking them to indoor dampness and mold How mold exposure may influence inflammation and immune function The potential connection between mold, brain fog, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, and sleep disturbances How mold exposure may affect hormones, cortisol, and thyroid function The relationship between mold, gut health, and mast cell activation How environmental history can help identify potential mold exposure What urine mycotoxin testing can and cannot tell you Why environmental remediation is a foundational step in addressing mold exposure How sleep, gut health, hydration, sweating, liver function, kidney function, and lymphatic health support detoxification Why genetics, immune status, and total toxic burden may determine individual susceptibility to mold How individualized detoxification protocols may be used after exposure has been addressed Stay tuned for more conversations on functional medicine, environmental health, mold illness, detoxification, autoimmune disease, metabolic health, longevity, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  Raising Healthy Kids: Less Anxiety And Better Immunity 02.09.2026 32mnt

  Anxiety, immune health, and nutrition are often treated separately, but what if they're all connected? In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C is joined by Tessa Hart, PA-C, a physician assistant specializing in pediatric functional medicine, to break down how anxiety, immune resilience, and nutrition show up together in kids and what parents can actually do about it. Tessa explains how to tell the difference between normal back-to-school nerves and true anxiety, walking through the physical symptoms, avoidance behaviors, and duration that signal something more than developmentally normal stress. She shares practical, non-supplement tools like unstructured play, square breathing, and her "brave ladder" approach to gradual exposure, along with her top three supplement picks, magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, and cod liver oil, and why the timing and form of each one matters. The conversation also moves into cold and flu season, where Tessa breaks down the immune-boosting and sick kits used at Functional Medicine of Idaho, including vitamin D3/K, zinc, and liposomal vitamin C, and explains clear guidelines for when a sick child should stay home versus go to school. Amber and Tessa also discuss the importance of protein and clean, whole-food nutrition for growing kids and teen athletes, and why paying attention to each child's individual food sensitivities can uncover the root cause of symptoms that seem unrelated to diet. Whether you're navigating a newly anxious child, prepping for cold and flu season, or just want a clearer, more natural framework for raising healthy kids, this episode offers practical insight from a provider seeing these issues every day. In this episode, you'll learn: Why back-to-school nerves and true anxiety are not the same thing, and how to tell them apart Non-supplement tools like square breathing, unstructured play, and gradual exposure for anxious kids Why magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, and cod liver oil are top picks for childhood anxiety and mood How to build an immune-boosting and sick kit with vitamin D3/K, zinc, and liposomal vitamin C Why low zinc after illness can change a child's sense of taste Clear guidelines for when to send a sick child to school versus keep them home Why protein matters for teens and student athletes, and simple ways to add it to their diet How individual food sensitivities can drive symptoms seen at well-child and acute visits Why an organic, whole-food, non-GMO diet is the foundation Tessa recommends for every family Stay tuned for more conversations on functional medicine, pediatric health, immune support, nutrition, and raising healthy kids from the inside out!
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  The Hormone Myth: Why Women Need Testosterone Too 19.08.2026 40mnt

  Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but what role does it actually play in women’s health, healthy aging, and overall vitality? In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C is joined by Heather Lucas, FNP-C, a family nurse practitioner specializing in hormone optimization, peptide therapy, sexual wellness, metabolic health, and longevity, to break down why testosterone is one of the most overlooked hormones in women. Heather explains why women need testosterone just as men do, how levels naturally change throughout life, and why symptoms like low motivation, fatigue, brain fog, low libido, poor recovery, and changes in body composition can sometimes be connected to low testosterone—but may also have other underlying causes. They also explore why comprehensive testing matters, including the importance of evaluating free and total testosterone, SHBG, thyroid function, nutrient status, and metabolic markers. The conversation also dives into testosterone replacement therapy for women, including topical creams and pellet therapy, what the current research tells us about testosterone and cardiovascular and breast health, and why more research is still needed. Heather and Amber emphasize the importance of shared decision-making and empowering women to become active participants in their healthcare rather than having their symptoms dismissed. Whether you're experiencing changes in energy, motivation, libido, muscle mass, sleep, or overall well-being, or you're simply curious about the role testosterone plays in women's health, this episode offers practical insight into hormone testing, optimization, and healthy aging. In this episode, you'll learn: Why testosterone is an essential hormone for women, not just menHow testosterone levels change throughout a woman's lifeThe symptoms that may be associated with low testosterone in womenWhy both free and total testosterone should be evaluatedHow SHBG, thyroid function, stress, and other factors can influence available testosteroneWhy women may require more sensitive testosterone testing than menHow testosterone can influence muscle mass, recovery, motivation, libido, brain fog, sleep, and bone healthWhat the current research says about testosterone, cardiovascular health, and breast cancer riskThe different approaches to testosterone replacement therapy, including topical creams and pellet therapyWhy shared decision-making and individualized hormone care are essential for women's health Stay tuned for more conversations on functional medicine, women's health, hormone optimization, healthy aging, longevity, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  Prevention Over Prescription: Rethinking America's #1 and #2 Killers 05.08.2026 29mnt

  Are prevention-focused labs and early screening actually catching disease before conventional medicine would, and is anyone doing enough of it? In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C is joined by Michael Orloff, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant who spent over a decade in emergency and trauma medicine before transitioning to functional medicine, to explore how cardiometabolic testing, early cancer screening, and lifestyle-first care can help patients stay out of the healthcare system altogether. Mike shares what he's seeing after his first year at FMI, coming from years of treating end-stage disease in the ER, and breaks down why he focuses on ApoB and lipoprotein(a) instead of relying on standard cholesterol panels alone, how zone-based training and lactate threshold testing let him build truly individualized cardiovascular prescriptions, and why insulin sensitivity sits at the center of long-term metabolic health. He also discusses why cancer screening guidelines often lag behind what he sees clinically, why radon exposure is an overlooked cancer risk in the Treasure Valley, and how simple, low-effort movement, like walking after meals, can meaningfully shift blood sugar and body composition. Whether you're trying to make sense of your cholesterol labs, curious about CGMs, thinking about weight loss, or just want a clearer picture of what proactive, data-driven prevention actually looks like, this episode offers practical insight from someone treating these issues every day. In this episode, you'll learn: How ApoB and lipoprotein(a) provide a more complete cardiovascular risk picture than LDL alone How zone two training, lactate threshold, and VO2 max testing personalize exercise prescriptions Why insulin sensitivity is central to cardiometabolic and metabolic health Practical levers for sustainable weight loss: dietary restriction, meal timing, and portion control How a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) reveals real-time, individualized blood sugar patterns Why early cancer screening, including colonoscopies, PSA, and CA-125, may need to start earlier than conventional guidelines suggest How environmental factors like radon exposure raise cancer risk in the Treasure Valley Why time, not motivation, is often the biggest barrier to aging well, and how to work around it Stay tuned for more conversations on functional medicine, cardiometabolic health, cancer prevention, longevity, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  The Peptide Prescription: Faster Healing, Fewer Hormones, And More Muscle 22.07.2026 39mnt

    Peptide therapy and PRP are gaining popularity, but are they being used correctly, and are they enough on their own? In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C is joined by Andy Bacal, a former orthopedic provider now practicing functional medicine at FMI, to explore how regenerative therapies, hormone optimization, and lifestyle foundations work together to help patients heal faster, avoid unnecessary surgery, and build long-term resilience. Andy shares what he's seeing in his practice, largely a male population focused on getting proactive about their health, and breaks down how treatments like PRP and peptide stacks such as BPC-157 and TB-500 are helping patients recover from injuries, avoid surgery when possible, and bounce back faster when surgery is necessary. He also discusses why so many hormone clinics and med spas fall short by treating symptoms in isolation instead of addressing gut health, inflammation, and diet, and why resistance training, consistency, and nutritional lab work remain the true foundation of longevity. Whether you're managing an old injury, considering regenerative treatments, curious about peptides, or simply want a clearer picture of what real, sustainable healthy aging looks like, this episode offers practical insight from someone treating these issues every day. In this episode, you'll learn: How PRP works and how it compares to cortisone injections When peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 can support healing and recovery Why regenerative treatments work best alongside diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes What's missing from many hormone clinics and med spas Why resistance training is a key pillar of long-term health, especially for men How nutritional lab testing can reveal hidden deficiencies affecting energy and longevity Real patient outcomes from combining functional medicine with regenerative therapies Stay tuned for more conversations on functional medicine, regenerative health, peptides, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  Disease Decoded: Why Nutrient Deficiency Is Silently Driving Modern Illness 08.07.2026 45mnt

  Nutrient deficiencies are often treated with supplements alone, but what if the real problem begins with digestion? In this episode, Tom Malterre, MS, CN, IFMCP joins Amber Warren, PA-C, to explore why poor nutrient absorption has become increasingly common and how gut health, stomach acid, food sensitivities, and mitochondrial function all work together to influence overall health. Tom explains why many people struggle with chronic fatigue, inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and digestive symptoms despite eating a healthy diet. He also discusses the surprising role of stomach acid in nutrient absorption, how medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can impact long-term health, and why restoring proper digestive function is essential for healing at the root cause. Whether you're dealing with digestive issues, unexplained nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, or simply want to optimize your health and longevity, this episode provides practical, science-based insights to help you better understand how your body absorbs—and utilizes—the nutrients it needs to thrive. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nutrient deficiencies are becoming more common How stomach acid supports digestion and nutrient absorption The connection between gut health, food sensitivities, and autoimmune disease Why mitochondrial health is essential for energy production How proton pump inhibitors may contribute to nutrient deficiencies The role of elimination diets in identifying hidden food triggers Functional medicine strategies for improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and restoring long-term health Stay tuned for more conversations on functional medicine, gut health, nutrition, longevity, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  Cardiovascular Disease Explained: What It Does to Your Entire Body (Part 2) 24.06.2026 30mnt

  Episode 85 Part 2/2.Cardiovascular disease is often thought of as a heart problem, but its effects reach far beyond the cardiovascular system. In this episode, Dr. Gavin Guard explores the root causes of cardiovascular disease through a functional medicine lens, breaking down how chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, nutrition, and lifestyle choices influence long-term heart health. You'll learn how cardiovascular disease develops, the warning signs to watch for, and the connection between factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances, insulin resistance, and overall wellness. Dr. Holthouse also discusses evidence-based strategies for reducing risk and improving healthspan through personalized care and preventive medicine. Whether you're looking to better understand your cardiovascular risk, support a loved one, or take proactive steps toward a healthier future, this episode provides practical insights and actionable takeaways grounded in current science. In this episode, you'll learn: What cardiovascular disease is and why it's so common How inflammation contributes to heart disease The relationship between cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk Why metabolic health plays a major role in heart health Functional medicine approaches to prevention and treatment Lifestyle strategies that support a healthy cardiovascular system Steps you can take today to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke Stay tuned in for more conversations on functional medicine, preventive healthcare, longevity, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  Cardiovascular Disease Explained: What It Does to Your Entire Body (Part 1) 10.06.2026 45mnt

  Cardiovascular disease is often thought of as a heart problem, but its effects reach far beyond the cardiovascular system. In this episode, Dr. Gavin Guard explores the root causes of cardiovascular disease through a functional medicine lens, breaking down how chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, nutrition, and lifestyle choices influence long-term heart health. You'll learn how cardiovascular disease develops, the warning signs to watch for, and the connection between factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances, insulin resistance, and overall wellness. Dr. Holthouse also discusses evidence-based strategies for reducing risk and improving healthspan through personalized care and preventive medicine. Whether you're looking to better understand your cardiovascular risk, support a loved one, or take proactive steps toward a healthier future, this episode provides practical insights and actionable takeaways grounded in current science. In this episode, you'll learn: What cardiovascular disease is and why it's so common How inflammation contributes to heart disease The relationship between cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk Why metabolic health plays a major role in heart health Functional medicine approaches to prevention and treatment Lifestyle strategies that support a healthy cardiovascular system Steps you can take today to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke Stay tuned in for more conversations on functional medicine, preventive healthcare, longevity, and optimizing your health from the inside out!
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  The Brain-Body Connection: How the Autism Protocol Transforms Neurological Health 27.05.2026 34mnt

  In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C, sits down with Dr. Brian Hauser, MD, a board certified functional and integrative family medicine physician specializing in autism spectrum disorder, to explore what a root-cause approach to autism actually looks like. They discuss why autism is not a purely genetic condition, how environmental factors, diet, gut health, and mitochondrial dysfunction play a central role in its development, and what emerging research on folate receptor antibodies, folinic acid, and targeted supplementation is revealing about reversible pathways in autism care. This conversation offers practical, hope-filled strategies for families navigating an autism diagnosis and for anyone looking to understand the biology behind neurodevelopmental health.
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  Can Weight-Loss Meds Fight Cancer? The New Frontier of GLP-1s 13.05.2026 38mnt

  Could the "weight-loss shots" everyone is talking about actually be the next big breakthrough in cancer prevention? In this week’s episode of the FMI podcast, I’m joined once again by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Holthouse. While Dr. H is a world-renowned expert in hormone health and cardiometabolic medicine, today we are diving into a topic that is reshaping the future of longevity: the direct link between obesity-related cancers and GLP-1 medications. We recently learned that colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men and women under 50. It’s a sobering statistic, but there is hope in the evolving science of metabolic medicine. In this episode, we discuss: The "Four Horsemen" of Aging: Why cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, and insulin resistance are all driven by the same cellular pathways. GLP-1s Beyond Weight Loss: How medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work at the cellular level to potentially reduce tumor volume and progression. The "New Kid on the Block": A deep dive into Retatrutide, the experimental triple-agonist showing even more dramatic results in preclinical models. Obesity-Related Cancers: Why fatty liver, chronic inflammation, and nutrient-sensing pathways (like mTOR) create a "pro-cancer milieu." The "Foundational Four": Why, despite all the medical breakthroughs, sleep, clean eating, stress management, and exercise remain the ultimate levers for health. Dr. Holthouse also shares his "minimalist" approach to detoxification and why he’s more interested in "reining patients in" from expensive gadgets to focus on what actually moves the needle. Whether you are interested in the latest longevity science or simply looking for ways to lower your family's risk of chronic disease, this conversation is packed with "root cause" insights you won't want to miss.
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  Leadership Starts with Health: A Functional Medicine Approach 15.04.2026 39mnt

  Leaders often underestimate how much their health drives performance. Amber Warren, PA-C, sits down with Matthew Tucker to explore how migraines, sleep, and nutrition affect energy, focus, and leadership capacity. Learn practical strategies to align your health with work, family, and long-term impact. Listen now to discover how functional medicine can help you lead at your best.
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  Perimenopause Explained: Symptoms, Hormones, and How to Take Back Control 01.04.2026 34mnt

  Perimenopause is often overlooked, yet it can significantly impact sleep, mood, metabolism, and overall well-being. Amber Warren, FNP-C sits down with Dr. Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH, MSCP to break down the hormonal changes driving this transition and why symptoms can vary so widely. Learn how shifts in progesterone and estrogen, along with stress and the nervous system, influence how you feel and what you can do to support your body through it. Listen now to better understand perimenopause and take a more proactive, informed approach to your hormone health.
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  Built Different: Bioidentical Hormones and the Future of Men's Health 18.03.2026 34mnt

  Most men don’t realize their hormones are gone until everything else starts falling apart. For Andrew Baukol, PA-C, that truth hit after a lymphoma diagnosis at 36 and labs showing his testosterone had dropped to 5% of optimal. In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C, sits down with Andrew to explore the root causes of male hormone decline, why bioidentical pellet therapy outperforms injectables, and why lifestyle has to come first before hormones can do their job. If you’ve been told your labs are normal but you still don’t feel like yourself, this episode is your starting point. Visit funmedinstitute.com to book an appointment with Andrew Baukol, PA-C.
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  Testosterone Uncovered: New FDA Guidance and What It Means for You 04.03.2026 38mnt

  Testosterone therapy has long been misunderstood but new FDA guidance is changing the conversation for men. Amber Warren, PA-C, sits down with Dr. Mark Holthouse, MD, to explain what the updates mean, clarify common testosterone myths, and provide practical insights for safe hormone optimization. This episode covers how testosterone therapy can support health and vitality, key considerations for men (and women), and what you need to know to make informed decisions about your hormone health. Listen now to learn the truth about testosterone therapy, new FDA guidance, and how it can impact your overall wellness.
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  Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women: Estrogen, Brain Health, and Longevity 18.02.2026 19mnt

  Amber Warren, PA-C explores the root causes of hormone imbalances in women and their impact on metabolism, brain health, mood, and long-term vitality. From perimenopause to menopause, symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disturbances can signal underlying hormone imbalances that deserve attention. Learn how bioidentical hormone therapy, along with gut health, liver support, and stress management, can help optimize estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Amber also separates myths from facts about estrogen and cancer risk and shares practical strategies for hormone balance and overall wellness.
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  The New Food Pyramid Explained: A Functional Medicine Take on the 2025 - 2030 Dietary Guidelines 04.02.2026 12mnt

  In this episode, Amber Warren, PA-C explains the 2025 to 2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and what the flipped food pyramid means for metabolic health.She explores increased protein needs, whole foods, healthy fats, and why reducing refined carbohydrates is critical for insulin resistance, inflammation, and gut health. Amber also discusses nutrition for children, food quality, alcohol intake, and how personalized tools like continuous glucose monitoring can guide smarter dietary choices.This episode connects the latest dietary guidelines with a functional medicine, root-cause approach to long-term health and prevention.
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  GLP-1, GIP, and Glucagon: The Hormones Behind Sustainable Weight Loss 21.01.2026 27mnt

  Amber Warren, PA-C, is joined by functional medicine nurse practitioner Heather Lucas, MSN, FNP-C, to explain the science behind GLP-1–based therapies and metabolic weight loss. They break down how GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon influence appetite, insulin resistance, and fat metabolism, and discuss how therapies such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, and emerging triple agonists are used in metabolic care. This episode explores why improving metabolic health requires more than appetite suppression, highlighting the role of nutrition, strength training, sleep, stress, and gut health. Learn how peptides may be used as functional medicine tools to support fat loss, protect muscle, and improve long-term metabolic health.
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  Weight Loss Resistance: How Hormones, Muscle, and the Gut Control Fat Loss 07.01.2026 37mnt

  Host Amber Warren and guest, Dr. Mark Holthouse, explore a functional, root-cause approach to metabolic weight loss, going beyond the outdated “calories in, calories out” model. They discuss why weight loss resistance is rarely about willpower and how hormones, cortisol, gut health, muscle mass, and environmental factors influence metabolism.The episode highlights FMI’s Premier Metabolic Reset program, responsible use of GLP-1s and peptides, and the importance of protein, body composition, and practical lifestyle strategies for sustainable fat loss. A concise, science-backed conversation on achieving long-term metabolic health through personalized functional medicine care.
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  Introducing Functional Medicine Institute: Primary, Functional, & Specialty Care 17.12.2025 19mnt

  Amber Warren, PA-C and Dr. Mark Holthouse, MD break down FMI’s three levels of care: Primary, Functional, and Specialty and explain how this integrated approach helps patients achieve better, personalized health outcomes at every stage of life.
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  Dr. Mario Brus Explains Why Kids Are Getting Sicker [Rebroadcast] 03.12.2025 53mnt

  We’re rebroadcasting this must-listen episode with Dr. Mario Brus, MD. Discover why kids are getting sicker and how a functional medicine approach with labs, nutrition, lifestyle, and supplementation can help your child thrive. Packed with actionable insights every parent can use.