Nitazoxanide with Bryana Burken, PharmD, RPh

Could nicotine have a place in supporting focus, mood, motivation, and brain health? In this episode, Dr. Don Ellsworth explores the growing conversation around nicotine, not in the form of smoking, vaping, or tobacco products, but as a tool that may offer cognitive and neurological support when used carefully. He explains how nicotine interacts with acetylcholine receptors in the brain and why some people report improved concentration, better recall, increased energy, calmer mood, and even reduced appetite. Dr. Ellsworth also reviews what current research suggests about nicotine’s potential role in a number of neurological and inflammatory concerns. He discusses why nicotine may be best viewed as a support tool rather than a root-cause solution, and emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying issues properly. This episode offers a thoughtful look at where nicotine may fit into a broader brain health strategy, while also explaining when it should be avoided and why careful use matters. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

Could nitazoxanide be one of the most overlooked tools for supporting the body against parasites, bacterial overgrowth, SIBO, and viral infections? In this episode, Bryana Burken, pharmacist and physician liaison with Physicians Preference Pharmacy, explains how nitazoxanide works, why it is considered a repurposed drug, and how it may support the body’s immune response. Bryana discusses the history of nitazoxanide, its original use as an antiparasitic, and its broader modern applications. She explains how nitazoxanide works by interfering with the metabolism of harmful microbes while supporting immune balance and helping to reduce an overactive inflammatory response. This episode highlights the importance of targeted treatment, especially when addressing complex gut and immune-related issues. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, nitazoxanide may offer a temporary or cycled option for individuals dealing with difficult and/or recurring infections. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

What if one of the most effective tools for brain fog, inflammation, and immune balance isn’t a new drug at all, but a repurposed one used in a completely different way? In this episode, Bryana Burken explains how low-dose naltrexone (LDN) works differently at lower doses to support the body’s natural healing processes. LDN helps regulate the immune system and has shown benefits for individuals dealing with brain fog, long COVID symptoms, autoimmune conditions, and chronic inflammation. LDN signals the body to produce more of its own natural pain-relieving and mood-balancing compounds, helping improve clarity, energy, and overall function over time. This episode also highlights what to expect when starting LDN, including dosing, timelines for improvement, and how consistency plays a key role in success. While it is not a quick fix, LDN can be a powerful tool when used alongside a comprehensive approach to restoring balance and addressing root causes of health concerns. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

What happens when a provider is trained to look beyond symptoms and focus on the whole person? In this episode, Dr. Don Ellsworth introduces Gabrielle Foppe, PA-C, the newest provider at the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, and explores the perspective she brings to patient care. With a background rooted in osteopathic principles, Gabrielle shares how her education emphasized mind, body, and spirit, along with the importance of communication, connection, and truly listening to each guest’s story. Gabrielle also opens up about the personal health experiences that shaped her passion for functional medicine, from overcoming her own serious health challenges to seeing firsthand how lifestyle changes can succeed where conventional approaches often fall short. Together, they discuss the difference between chasing diagnoses and promoting true health, why individualized care matters, and how building trust with guests can become the first step toward healing. This conversation offers an encouraging look at a more personal, root-cause approach to wellness and what guests can expect from Gabrielle as part of the team. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

What is the best dosage form for your hormones or compounded medications? In this episode, Bryana Gregory breaks down one of the most common questions patients ask at Physicians Preference Pharmacy: how do you know whether a capsule, cream, sublingual tablet, scalp solution, or vaginal applicator is the right choice for you? She explains that there is no one-size-fits-all answer, because the best dosage form depends on what is being treated, where the medication needs to go, how well your body absorbs it, and how likely you are to stay consistent with it. Bryana walks through the key terms every patient should understand. She explains why some medications are better swallowed, why others should dissolve under the tongue, and why certain formulations work best when applied directly to the skin, scalp, or vaginal tissue. She also shares practical examples of how compounded medications are designed to improve absorption, reduce side effects, and create a more personalized treatment plan. This episode is a helpful guide for anyone who wants to better understand how compounded medications work and why the right dosage form can make a meaningful difference in treatment success. For more information on Pellet Therapy, please see a previous podcast at https://youtu.be/Bc37GRBeHak Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

What happens when a young woman is told her labs are normal, yet she feels exhausted, emotionally flat, and too sick to function? In this episode, Dr. Hotze shares the remarkable stories of sisters Mandy and Macy O’Hara, two young women from Washington state whose lives were deeply impacted by hormonal imbalances, fatigue, food sensitivities, brain fog, joint pain, and depression. After being passed from doctor to doctor and offered medications that never addressed the root cause, both sisters eventually made their way to the Hotze Health & Wellness Center for answers. Dr. Hotze explains how hormone imbalances can affect young women just as powerfully as women in midlife, especially during puberty and the early reproductive years. Through natural support, nutritional guidance, and a more comprehensive approach to health, both Mandy and Macy experienced dramatic improvements. Today, Mandy has completed nursing school and is continuing her education, while Macy is thriving in college and pursuing a teaching degree. Their stories are a powerful reminder that when the real cause of health problems is addressed, young women can regain their energy, confidence, and joy for life. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

Is cognitive decline inevitable, or is there something you can do to protect your brain as you age? In this episode, Dr. Ellsworth breaks down the key drivers of brain health and explains why issues like memory loss, brain fog, and cognitive decline are often rooted in whole-body imbalances rather than isolated brain conditions. He highlights how several factors can significantly impact brain function over time. By addressing these foundational issues, you can begin to support your brain naturally and proactively. Dr. Ellsworth shares practical, actionable steps you can take to improve and maintain brain health. He also emphasizes the importance of engaging your brain through learning, problem-solving, and sensory input, which can help strengthen cognitive function. Additionally, he discusses overlooked tools that play a vital role in maintaining mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

Has the conversation around hormone replacement therapy finally shifted in the right direction? In this episode, Dr. Steve Hotze discusses major news from the FDA regarding the removal of black box warning labels on female hormone therapy. For decades, the 2001–2002 Women’s Health Initiative created widespread fear about hormone replacement after evaluating synthetic hormones such as horse-derived estrogen and counterfeit progesterone. Dr. Hotze explains how those findings were based on non-bioidentical hormones and how the recent reevaluation acknowledges that hormone therapy can be safe and effective in relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, bone loss, and cognitive decline. Dr. Hotze also emphasizes the difference between synthetic hormones and natural bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to those the body produces. Drawing from decades of clinical experience treating thousands of women and men, he explains how properly balanced bioidentical hormone replacement can support cardiovascular health, brain function, muscle tone, energy, and overall vitality. Rather than accepting fatigue, mood changes, and decline as inevitable, this episode encourages listeners to restore balance naturally and regain energy, vitality, and enthusiasm for life. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

What happens when you’re told your labs are “normal,” but your body is clearly telling you something is wrong? In today’s episode, Dr. Hotze introduces longtime Hotze Health & Wellness Center guest Liz Collins, who shares her powerful story of reclaiming her health after years of debilitating symptoms that were repeatedly dismissed by conventional doctors. Liz explains how her energy and quality of life steadily declined after menopause, to the point where she could only stay awake a few hours a day and struggled to function at work or at home, despite being told for years that her thyroid tests were fine. After coming to the Hotze Health & Wellness Center and receiving personalized care, based on clinical symptoms, Liz describes a rapid and dramatic turnaround. Her story is a reminder that it may be common to feel exhausted, foggy, and run down as we age, but it is not normal, and addressing root causes can restore energy, clarity, and vitality for the long term. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!

Are you exhausted even though your lab work looks “normal”? Or are you taking B vitamins but not actually feeling the benefits? Bryana Gregory, Pharmacist and Physician Liaison with Physicians Preference Pharmacy, breaks down the powerful role of methylated B vitamins and why the form you take truly matters. B vitamins are essential for energy production, brain function, mood balance, detoxification, and proper nervous system support. However, not all B vitamins are created equal. Genetics, gut health, medication use, stress, and environmental toxicity can all impact your ability to properly absorb and utilize standard or synthetic forms like folic acid or cyanocobalamin. When the body cannot properly methylate (or activate) these vitamins, symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, headaches, neuropathy, mood changes, and poor focus may persist. Join Bryana today as she explains how methylated B vitamins provide a more bioavailable, active form that supports detoxification, cellular energy, and healthy gene function. She also highlights the advantages of sublingual delivery, which allows for improved absorption and lower dosing by bypassing the digestive tract. If you struggle with low energy, poor concentration, high stress, neurological symptoms, or known B12 or folate deficiencies, this episode will help you understand whether methylated B vitamins may be right for you. Watch now and subscribe to our podcasts at www.HotzePodcast.com. To receive a FREE copy of Dr. Hotze’s best-selling book, “Hormones, Health, and Happiness,” call 281-698-8698 and mention this podcast. Includes free shipping!