Beyond Oncology: Functional Strategies to Support Cancer Patients and Survivors

What if the biggest gap in cancer care isn’t the treatment but what happens before and after? In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo is joined by Dr. Nalini Chilkov, founder of the American Institute of Integrative Oncology Research and Education (aiioRE.com), to explore how functional practitioners can fill the urgent void left by conventional oncology.Discover why building a body where cancer cannot thrive is essential, whether your client is recovering from treatment, living with cancer long-term, or wants to prevent recurrence. From terrain restoration and tumor microenvironment to nutrient repletion, blood viscosity, immune modulation, and glycemic control, this episode uncovers clinical strategies every practitioner needs to know to better support cancer patients and survivors.What’s Inside This Episode?The distinction between the “disease team” and the “health team” and why both are vitalWhy the tumor microenvironment and terrain may matter more than the tumor itselfThe blood markers that reveal hidden risks that are often missed by oncologistsHow glycemic control and inflammation increase cancer recurrence by up to 40%The often missed danger of fibrin clots in cancer patients (and what to do about it)Why many patients develop autoimmune disease after immunotherapy and how to modulate without overstimulationPractical tips to rebuild the microbiome and blood-brain barrier post-treatmentA new way to think about melatonin, vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3s in cancer supportHow to talk to oncologists and position yourself as an essential part of the care teamWhy terrain restoration and functional support matter most after cancer treatment endsResources and Links:Download our FREE Metabolic Health Guide hereJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skillsCheck out other podcast episodes hereGuest Resources and LinksVisit OutsmartCancer.com for free recipes, educational tools, and the Outsmart Cancer Roadmap (coming soon)Practitioner training and professional resources at aiioRE.comChilkov Clinic - NaliniChilkov.com Social Media:Facebook: facebook.com/DrNaliniInstagram: instagram.com/drnalinichilkov/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nalinichilkovGuest BioDr. Nalini Chilkov is a leading authority and pioneer in the field of Integrative Cancer Care, cancer prevention, and immune enhancement.  She is the Founder of the American Institute of Integrative Oncology Research & Education and creator of the OutSmart Cancer System teaching...

Struggling to understand why someone’s metabolic health isn’t improving despite clean labs and healthy habits? The missing piece might be written in their DNA. In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, we uncover how key genetic variants (SNPs) can help you identify hidden metabolic risks and choose the right lab tests to confirm them.Discover how to combine genetic data with functional testing, and learn how to personalize your interventions with surgical precision.What’s Inside This Episode?What metabolic health really means and where it goes wrongThe SNPs linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and energy dysregulationWhy normal labs can be misleading without a genetic lensHow to pair key SNPs with targeted lab tests to get clearer answersReal-world examples of using DNA to uncover hidden dysfunctionWhen to test beyond TSH and lipid panels and what to order insteadThe one genetic insight that could change your whole approach to weight loss and blood sugarResources and Links:Download our FREE Guide to Using Genetic Testing to Optimize Patient OutcomesJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes here

What if the key to unlocking deep cellular repair, reversing disease, and reclaiming your energy was... not eating? In this episode, Dr. Ritamarie sits down with world-renowned water fasting expert Loren Lockman to explore how fasting goes beyond trendy biohacks, tapping into our body’s built-in healing intelligence. From detox-resistant weight gain to reversing chronic conditions that seem “untreatable,” this conversation will challenge everything you’ve been taught about food, symptoms, and what it really means to heal.What’s Inside This Episode?Why fasting equals liberationThe shocking connection between hydration, mucoid plaque, and autoimmune symptomsThe truth about "healthy" people who never get sick and still die youngWhy lean clients may benefit the most from extended fastingHow to determine if your client’s labs are missing early signs of deeper toxicityWhen a 5-day fast isn’t enough and what’s really required for cellular repairA simple blood pressure formula Loren uses to spot hidden dehydrationIncredible real-life healing stories from clients with migraines, paralysis, cancer, and chronic fatigueResources and Links:Download our FREE Guide to The Many Faces of FastingJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes hereGuest Resources and LinksConnect with Loren Lockman on:Loren’s FacebookLoren’s InstagramTanglewood Wellness CenterLoren’s YouTube Channel – OfficialLoren’s Legacy YouTube ChannelGrab his free Gift: : email Loren Lockman at [email protected] to receive his free ebook Ancient Secrets of HealingGuest Bio:Loren Lockman, age 64 is a 38-year vegan and 33.5 year raw vegan. Loren has been a health coach since 1987 and began supervising water-only fasts in 1996, running the world’s largest dedicated water-only fasting center for 29 years. He’s guided nearly 12,000 people through water-only fasts averaging 26 days with consistently amazing transformations. A Reiki Master, Certified Permaculture Instructor, body surfer, poet, frisbee and backgammon player, Loren is passionate about helping people become their very best selves.

What if the path to healing begins with rebellion?In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo takes you deep into the radical idea that transformation doesn’t begin with protocols but with  questions. Too many people accept dismissive diagnoses, symptom-suppressing prescriptions, and “normal” lab results that overlook early signs of metabolic dysfunction. This episode is a call to action for practitioners to help their clients rebel against the status quo and reclaim authority over their health.You’ll discover how to recognize the red flags conventional medicine misses, how to empower clients to speak up, and how to use root-cause strategies that go beyond symptom management. If you’ve ever had a client say “my doctor said everything looks fine” while their body clearly says otherwise, this is the episode that arms you with the mindset and methods to change that narrative.What’s Inside This Episode?How blind trust in the healthcare system can lead to missed diagnoses and worseWhy “normal” lab ranges are anything but normal for vibrant healthThe early metabolic signs that signal disease before symptoms appearDr. Ritamarie’s personal story and why she’s made it her mission to help others question everythingThe truth about firing doctors, advocating for better labs, and demanding answersThe role of the practitioner as a health detective, not a protocol pusherWhy personalized, root-cause healing requires rebellionHow to teach clients to tune into their bodies and take ownership of their health journeyResources and Links:Download our FREE Create Your Next-Level Practice.  Join the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes here

Most people think of long COVID as something new, but for many, it’s simply a different name for an old, complex pattern: chronic fatigue. In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie sits down with Dr. Evan Hirsch (The EnergyMD) to discuss the clinical connections between long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and the deeper biochemical imbalances practitioners must understand to reverse them.This is not a surface-level conversation. Dr. Hirsch breaks down the toxic five, his four-step recovery system, and why most testing methods fail to reveal the real root causes. You’ll learn what to look for in clients presenting with post-COVID fatigue, why overtraining can backfire, and how to help clients finally move the needle.What’s Inside This Episode? Why long COVID and chronic fatigue are more alike than most realizeHow spike protein becomes the "final straw" for an already stressed systemThe difference between whispers and shouts in client symptom historyWhy standard immune testing often gives false negativesThe five hidden drivers behind long COVID and chronic fatigueDr. Hirsch’s four-step framework for long-term recoveryWhy testing might be unnecessary and what to do insteadHow to build resilience with herbal, nutritional, and nervous system supportWhy proper sequencing is key to sustainable detox and repairA look inside Dr. Hirsch’s hybrid coaching model and success rateResources and Links:Download our FREE Guide to Unlock the Power of Optimal EnergyJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes hereGuest Resources and LinksJoin Dr Evan Hirsch’s FREE Facebook GroupConnect with Dr Evan  on:FacebookLinkedInTwitterInstagramTikTokYouTubeGrab his free Gift: Free MasterclassGuest Bio:Evan H. Hirsch, MD, (also known as the EnergyMD) is a world-renowned fatigue expert, best-selling author, and professional speaker. He is the creator of the EnergyMD Method, the science-backed and clinically proven 4-step process to resolving Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) naturally. Through his best-selling book, podcast, and international online program, he has helped thousands of people around

Most people think neuropathy shows up after a diabetes diagnosis. But in reality, tingling, numbness, or burning in the hands or feet often shows up years earlier.  In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, I explore the deeper drivers of neuropathy, beyond what conventional medicine typically considers, and share how to identify and address them before lasting damage occurs.. You’ll learn how to spot the red flags and how to apply targeted strategies to halt or reverse nerve damage.If your patients are complaining of unexplained nerve symptoms, or you’re experiencing them yourself, don’t wait. These are clues. And when you know how to read them, you can intervene early and change the trajectory of metabolic decline.What’s Inside This Episode?The metabolic mechanisms linking insulin resistance to nerve damageThe three types of neuropathies every practitioner should recognizeFunctional labs that detect root causesThe hidden role of vitamin deficiencies and genetics in nerve symptomsClinical clues that distinguish neuropathy from carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, or toxicityFunctional interventions: diet, exercise, supplements, and antioxidant therapies that restore nerve healthNutrients that accelerate repairLifestyle and stress‑management strategies that promote regeneration and protect mitochondriaResources and Links:Download our FREE Metabolic Health Guide here.  Download our FREE Guide to for Lab Test RecommendationsJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportReserve your spot for our Reinvent Healthcare Online Event Nov 7-9! It’s the event of the year for practitioners serious about root-cause healing. Visit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes here

Peptides are everywhere right now, in social media, practitioner circles,  and supplement protocols. But are they really the solution for autoimmune and gut healing… or just another overhyped tool?In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo is joined by functional health experts Steph Jackson and Jennifer Whitmire to explore how peptides may support gut repair, reduce immune reactivity, and help stabilize autoimmune clients.They don’t hold back. This is a grounded, real-world conversation about how peptides actually work, when to use them, how to layer them into gut programs, and when not to waste your money.What’s Inside This Episode?What peptides really are and which ones actually support gut and immune healingWhen peptides might help restore tight junction integrity and reduce leaky gutThe real risks: growth promotion, poor absorption, and overrelianceWhy “jumping on the peptide bandwagon” can backfire if root causes aren’t addressedHow to time peptides with food, supplements, and protein intakeOral vs. subcutaneous vs. intranasal delivery—what the research actually saysItems like dosage, pulsing, retesting, and client readinessWhy peptides should support and not replace your root-cause solutionsThe power of true gut and autoimmune repairResources and Links:Download our FREE Metabolic Health Guide here.  Join the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportReserve your spot for our Reinvent Healthcare Online Event Nov 7-9! It’s the event of the year for practitioners serious about root-cause healing. Visit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes hereGuest Resources and LinksSteph JacksonJoin the Friendly Flora Collective – Microbiome MembershipJennifer WhitmireJoin the Culinary Healing CircleSteph JacksonIf you are ready to go deep with your digestive health and you need more than slippery elm, you will enjoy working with Nutritional Endocrinology coach, Steph Jackson. Steph loves customizing balancing programs for the micro biome, working with fermented foods, and looking at how the body systems work together. After finding and clearing the root cause of her severe physical pain and exhaustion, Steph has gone on to help others to do the same. She is also the proud founder of Crave Conscious, a non-dairy yogurt company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.Jennifer Whitmire On a mission to save body parts, Jennifer Whitmire is a culinary coach, health educator, and master herbalist specializing in autoimmune and thyroid health. Since 2017, she’s taught women how to heal with food by restoring energy, balancing hormones, and repairing the gut through science-backed, whole food plant-based cooking and...

What if your patient’s blood sugar looks “okay,” but their kidneys are already under attack?In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie uncovers the common progression of kidney damage fueled by insulin resistance and elevated glucose. Most practitioners miss the early clues. And most patients never feel symptoms… until it’s too late.Discover the early biochemical markers, the overlooked tests, and the clinical action steps you can take now to prevent progression to fibrosis, dialysis, and even renal failure.What’s Inside This Episode?The silent mechanisms linking insulin resistance to kidney scarring and declineWhy normal creatinine and BUN may be misleading and what to test insteadWhich labs signal decline before patients show symptomsThe food patterns and protein levels that support vs. stress the kidneysTargeted botanicals, nutrients, and fasting strategies for protecting kidney functionHow to approach intermittent fasting, inflammation, and oxalates with nuanceWhen medications like SGLT2 inhibitors or ACE inhibitors may be protectiveThe practitioner’s role in prevention, education, and root-cause reversalResources and Links:Download our FREE Health Detective Checklist.Download our FREE Guide to for Lab Test RecommendationsJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportReserve your spot for our Reinvent Healthcare Online Event Nov 7-9! It’s the event of the year for practitioners serious about root-cause healing. Visit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes here  

One in three adults now has fatty liver disease, and most don’t even know it. It’s become the most common form of liver dysfunction worldwide—even outpacing alcohol-related liver damage. And the real danger? It often progresses in silence, from fat to inflammation to fibrosis, with no symptoms until it's too late.In this episode of ReInvent Healthcare, Dr. Ritamarie exposes a quiet transformation that's becoming alarmingly common: the metabolic cascade behind fatty liver. It doesn’t start with pain or obvious signs. It starts with subtle shifts in biochemistry that most protocols completely miss.Before the liver scars, there are clues. And if you know where to look, you can help reverse the damage long before it becomes permanent.What’s Inside This Episode? Why liver damage is now driven more by food than by alcoholThe signals that mark the shift from fat accumulation to fibrosisWhat “normal” AST and ALT might be hiding, and how to interpret themA critical lab ratio that reveals what single values can’tEarly metabolic signs that point to liver inflammation before imaging shows a thingTherapeutic strategies to restore liver function, starting with the kitchenHow trauma and oxytocin tie into liver recoveryThe botanical allies that protect and regenerate hepatic tissueResources and Links:Download our FREE Metabolic Health Guide here.  Check out the FREE From Fat to Fibrosis Practitioner Quick GuideHere is a FIB-4 Calculator Tool FIB-4 = (Age × AST) / (Platelets × √ALT)NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) = -1.675 + (0.037 × age) + (0.094 × BMI) + (1.13 × hyperglycemia) + (0.99 × AST/ALT ratio) - (0.013 × platelet count) - (0.66 × albumin)Join the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing results. Check out other podcast episodes here

Inflammation is the biological fire underlying most chronic disease. In this episode, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo returns with NEPT graduates Steph Jackson and Jennifer Whitmire to uncover how food fuels or fights inflammation.From autoimmune flares and brain fog to hidden cardiovascular risks, the trio explores how everyday foods, even so-called “healthy” ones, can lead to inflammation, and what to do about it. This episode will shift how you look at food, labs, and healing.What’s Inside This Episode?How inflammation silently hides in autoimmune conditions, heart disease, and brain fogThe tests most practitioners miss when screening for inflammationWhy food “sensitivities” go far beyond IgA or IgG testingThe hidden downside of health foodsWhy ginger may be as powerful as turmeric and how both interact with the microbiomeHow oxytocin, hydration, and color diversity can be more anti-inflammatory than supplementsResources and Links:Download our FREE Functional Food GuideJoin the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community supportReserve your spot for ReInvent 2025 here for a deep dive into the impact of the microbiome on brain health including lab testing and geneticsVisit INEMethod.com for advanced health practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills and grow your practice by getting life-changing resultsCheck out other podcast episodes hereGuest Resources and LinksSteph JacksonJoin the Friendly Flora Collective – Microbiome MembershipJennifer WhitmireJoin the Culinary Healing CircleGuest BioSteph JacksonIf you are ready to go deep with your digestive health and you need more than slippery elm, you will enjoy working with Nutritional Endocrinology coach, Steph Jackson. Steph loves customizing balancing programs for the micro biome, working with fermented foods, and looking at how the body systems work together. After finding and clearing the root cause of her severe physical pain and exhaustion, Steph has gone on to help others to do the same. She is also the proud founder of Crave Conscious, a non-dairy yogurt company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.Jennifer Whitmire On a mission to save body parts, Jennifer Whitmire is a culinary coach, health educator, and master herbalist specializing in autoimmune and thyroid health. Since 2017, she’s taught women how to heal with food by restoring energy, balancing hormones, and repairing the gut through science-backed, whole food plant-based cooking and kitchen-based strategies.