Episode 64: The Impact of Lifestyle and Environmental Factors on Depression and Mood Disorders

In this episode, we dive into the environmental and lifestyle factors that impact mood disorders like depression and anxiety. You'll learn how screen time, diet, sleep, and physical activity can set the stage for mental health—and why toxic exposures like pesticides, heavy metals, air pollution, mold, and electromagnetic fields can make things worse.Drawing on the latest research and longitudinal studies, Dr. Datis Kharrazian breaks down the science behind mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance. He shares practical advice for leveraging exercise, improving sleep quality, and minimizing toxic exposures, offering clear strategies that you can use for yourself or your patients. Whether you're a practitioner, a student, or someone seeking answers about mood and resilience, this episode bridges complex science and actionable solutions you can implement right away.Enroll in the complete master class: Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications with Dr. Datis Kharrazian at: https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/mood-and-anxiety-disordersFor patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Lifestyle Factors Linked to Depression03:32 "Pesticides Linked to Mood Disorders"08:59 "Heavy Metals Linked to Depression"11:58 "Air Pollution's Link to Mental Health"16:36 "Air Pollution's Impact on Brain"17:35 "Mold Exposure and Neurocognitive Issues"22:53 "Exercise Intensity Shapes Recovery"27:13 "Exercise Boosts Mental Health Outcomes"28:02 "Exercise Benefits for Mental Health"31:56 "Sleep Consistency Supports Recovery"34:21 "Subscribe and Share!"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Dr. Datis Kharrazian takes a dive into the intricate relationship between blood sugar stability—what he calls dysglycemia—and mood disorders. You'll learn how rollercoaster blood sugar levels can disrupt neurochemistry, impact hormone balance, and even alter your brain’s stress response. Plus, Dr. Kharrazian explores why stabilizing blood sugar is critical before addressing neurotransmitter imbalances, and he explains real-world clinical signs. Enroll in the complete master class: Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications with Dr. Datis Kharrazian at: https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/mood-and-anxiety-disordersFor patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 "Blood Sugar Effects on Neurochemistry"05:36 "Glucose's Role in GABA Synthesis"06:22 "Brain Health and Blood Sugar"11:26 "Insulin Resistance Disrupts Neurochemistry"16:01 "Stress Impact on Sympathetic Response"19:26 "Functional Medicine Training Resources"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr. Kharrazian dives into the complex world of mood disorders, shining a light on why conditions like depression and anxiety have become such significant global health challenges. He questions the mainstream approach to treating mood disorders, revealing the limitations and biases present in antidepressant research and the pharmaceutical industry's influence on published data.Dr. Kharrazian explores what’s truly happening in the brains of those suffering from chronic mood issues, moving beyond the conventional neurotransmitter model to focus on the importance of neuronal health and plasticity. He breaks down the latest findings on treatments like ketamine, the real risks and shortcomings of long-term antidepressant use, and the many underlying biological factors—from neuroinflammation to neurodegeneration—that practitioners need to consider.Enroll in the complete master class: Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications with Dr. Datis Kharrazian at: https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/mood-and-anxiety-disordersFor patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 "Anxiety Meds: Benefits and Concerns"03:27 Placebo Effect Outperforms Antidepressants08:33 "Antidepressant Trial Reporting Bias"10:09 "Long-Term Antidepressant Effectiveness Questioned"14:43 Depression: Beyond Neurotransmitter Issues18:06 Mood Disorders: Causes and Approaches21:45 "Functional Medicine & Health Education"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr. Kirk Gair dives into the clinical power of laser therapy—bridging the science behind this technology with its practical applications for chronic health issues, brain function, autoimmune conditions, and more.You'll hear real case stories, from a doctor who saw dramatic improvements in brain activity after a stroke, to patients reversing years of debilitating symptoms, and even a few remarkable pet recoveries. Enroll in the complete master class: Enhanced Healing & Performance with High Energy Non-Thermal Laser Therapy with Dr. Kirk Gair at: https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/erchonia For patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 "Solving Health with Dr. Kirk Gair"04:17 "Multi-Laser Healing Treatment"07:30 "Pure Lasers for Optimal Therapy"10:12 High-Energy Lasers and Biophotons15:25 "Insulin Reduction & Carrageenan Risks"18:57 Laser Therapy Helps Brain Injury20:36 Chronic Illness and Resilience23:14 Hopeful Path to Healing29:25 "Laser Marketing for Doctors"30:20 Functional Health & Nutrition TrainingSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Dr. Kirk Gair shares how a routine imaging procedure turned his family's life upside down, sending his wife into a severe health crisis that conventional medicine couldn’t solve. Faced with life-threatening symptoms and a string of specialists who could offer no answers, he turned to his old friend and functional medicine expert, Dr. Datis Kharrazian. Together, they uncovered an autoimmune thyroid reaction triggered by iodine, and charted a new path—combining advanced functional medicine protocols with cutting-edge low-level laser therapy.You’ll learn how this approach not only reversed his wife's decline, but also explores the science and global potential of lasers in supporting chronic conditions, brain health, and autoimmune disease. Enroll in the complete master class: Enhanced Healing & Performance with High Energy Non-Thermal Laser Therapy with Dr. Kirk Gair at: https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/erchonia For patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 "ER Visit Misdiagnosed as Panic"05:29 Healing Brain with Laser Therapy06:27 "Laser Therapy for Inflammation Control"12:31 Laser Therapy for Neurological Recovery13:12 "Laser and Functional Medicine Success"17:39 Childhood Crash Causes Lifelong Injuries20:33 "Brian’s Transformation: A Waking Brain"23:49 Autoimmunity Rise and Environmental Impact28:08 "Solving the Puzzle Podcast"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most practitioners trust previous test results without question. But Dr. Steven Sandberg-Lewis reveals why SIBO breath tests, celiac testing, and pancreatic enzyme screening often produce false negatives—leading to years of misdiagnosis and treatment failure. With 46 years of clinical experience, Dr. Sandberg-Lewis explains the critical testing pitfalls that keep practitioners from accurately diagnosing their most complex GI patients.Enroll in the complete master class: How to Think Like a Functional Gastroenterologist with Dr. Steven Sandberg-Lewis (6 hours) at pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/ssl-gastro⁠ to access over 45 years of refined clinical protocols and systematic approaches.For patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Small Intestine Overgrowth Testing06:29 "Celiac Diagnosis & Testing Insights"07:42 Celiac, Gluten, and Endoscopy Insights11:45 Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency Causes18:13 "Functional Medicine Resources Overview"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr. Steven Sandberg-Lewis reveals three commonly overlooked root causes of chronic digestive disorders: traumatic brain injury, hypermobility syndrome, and diagnosis momentum. Drawing from 46 years of clinical practice, Dr. Sandberg-Lewis explains why conventional approaches miss these critical factors and how practitioners can identify them through simple screening methods.Enroll in the complete master class: How to Think Like a Functional Gastroenterologist with Dr. Steven Sandberg-Lewis (6 hours) at pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/ssl-gastro⁠ to access over 45 years of refined clinical protocols and systematic approaches.For patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Invisible Impacts of Brain Injury03:17 Traumatic Brain Injury & GI Effects06:49 Interactive Metronome for Brain Timing12:23 Hypermobility, GI Issues, and Celiac14:30 Diagnostic Bias and Gluten Testing17:07 "Functional Medicine & Health Resources"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr. Kharrazian is joined by renowned physician Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, a pioneering voice in environmental medicine and toxicology. Together, they dive into the hidden world of environmental toxins—discussing the staggering number of chemicals we're exposed to every day, why testing for toxins can be more complex than most realize, and which common exposures may be silently sabotaging our health.Dr. Pizzorno reveals the challenges in accurately measuring toxic load, the wide differences in our bodies’ abilities to detoxify, and why focusing on exposure and biological damage is often more useful than hunting for specific chemicals in the blood or urine. You'll learn about practical strategies for identifying and reducing toxin exposure, the synergistic effects of multiple chemicals, and simple steps you can take to support your body’s natural defenses.For patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Assessing Exposure and Detox Challenges03:37 "Assessing Synergistic Environmental Toxins"07:09 "Toxic Load vs. Disease Correlation"11:24 Tea Habits and Water Concentration16:24 Chemical Impact on Neurological Health17:48 Persistent Human-Made Molecules23:20 Bisphenols Lowering Children's IQ26:18 Chemical Food Sources & Glyphosate Exposure28:26 Cerrillini's Impact on Glyphosate Regulation32:50 "Assessing Kidney Toxicity via EGFR"36:44 "Enhancing Body Detoxification"37:42 "Detox Strategy: Sweat and Monitor"Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Dr. Christy Sutton breaks down the crucial markers to monitor for iron overload, from classic liver enzymes and iron panels to the often-overlooked cardiovascular and autoimmune risk factors that can clue you into complications before they become serious. You’ll learn about ancillary labs to watch for side effects in the liver, kidneys, brain, hormones, cardiovascular system, and more. Dr. Sutton unpacks the practical nuances of interpreting test results, why “mildly elevated” liver enzymes should never be dismissed, and how overlapping factors like copper, magnesium, and vitamin deficiencies can shape both diagnosis and management. Join Dr. Christy Sutton's 6-hour Kharrazian Institute Master Class on Iron Overload & Undiagnosed Anemias and learn the protocols 90% of practitioners miss.Enroll: pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/sutton-anemiaFor patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Hemochromatosis Patient Lab Monitoring04:45 Glutathione Testing and Liver Health06:35 Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Link12:24 Hemochromatosis and Cardiovascular Risk16:29 Copper and Ceruloplasmin Testing Insights19:49 Copper, Iron, Zinc: Balancing Act24:09 "Solving The Puzzle" Podcast PromoSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anemia affects millions but is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Anemia isn’t just about having low iron. It means you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to get vital oxygen to your tissues, organs, and brain. Host Chrissy Sutton breaks down the many different forms of anemia, from iron-deficiency to anemia of inflammation, and even discusses why you can actually have too much iron and still be anemic.We’ll explore how to spot anemia not just with lab work, but by recognizing physical signs like paleness, fatigue, brittle nails, and even changes in your tongue and the whites of your eyes. Dr. Sutton highlights why anemia is more than just feeling tired—it’s tied to everything from exercise intolerance and heart palpitations to developmental delays in children and increased risk for disorders like ADHD.This episode also unpacks the confusing overlap between high ferritin from inflammation versus hemochromatosis, goes in-depth on the impact of pregnancy and menstruation on iron levels, and shares actionable tips for both clinicians and patients. To learn more, enroll in the Master Class “Iron Overload and Undiagnosed Anemias” at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/sutton-anemiaFor patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/00:00 Anemia and Heart Strain Connection10:13 Low Iron Risks in Pregnancy11:40 Early Pregnancy Iron Supplementation18:14 Acid Reducers Impact Iron Levels26:50 Pregnancy: Nutrient Absorption Challenges31:43 "Decoding Iron Deficiency Causes"34:08 Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms40:51 Vitamin A Deficiency Risk Factors47:24 "Copper's Role in Iron Regulation"53:34 Diagnosing Hemolytic Anemia54:26 Managing Aplastic Anemia Basics01:01:52 Lead Cabinet Toxicity Solved01:06:09 Ferritin Management Without Blood Removal01:11:14 Digestive Challenges of Low Stomach AcidSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/solving-the-puzzle-with-dr-datis-kharrazian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.