In this follow-up to their previous Parkinson’s Disease (PD) episode, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay explore how functional and integrative medicine can complement traditional treatments for PD. They emphasize that their goal is not to replace conventional medicine, but to “fill in the gaps” with evidence-based holistic therapies that address the root causes and improve patient quality of life.

They define functional medicine as a root-cause approach that asks "why" a disease occurs, and integrative medicine as the use of non-conventional tools—like acupuncture or diet—to enhance care beyond drugs and surgery.

For PD, traditional medicine plays a vital role, especially in treating motor symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia). However, functional and integrative approaches can address underlying contributors and may be especially useful for non-motor symptoms.

*Root Causes & Risk Factors of PD Discussed:

-Genetics & Epigenetics: Genetics increases risk, but lifestyle and environmental factors play a significant role in gene expression, via epigenetics.

-Toxins: Pesticides, solvents like TCE, heavy metals, mold, air pollution, and microplastics have all been linked to increased PD risk.

-Head trauma, especially from sports like football and soccer, increases PD risk.

-Gut-brain axis: Emerging evidence shows PD often starts in the gut, years before classic Parkinson's motor symptoms appear.

*Functional Prevention & Lifestyle Strategies:

-Diet: Mediterranean and MIND diets lower PD risk and delay symptom onset.

-Coffee: Regular consumption may lower PD risk by ~40%.

-Exercise: Reduces risk and helps with motor/non-motor symptoms. Boxing (e.g., Rock Steady Boxing), tai chi, yoga, walking, and especially dance (ParkinDance) improve motor control, cognition, and mood.

-Connection with Nature lowers PD risk.

-Avoid toxins and head injuries.

*Integrative Treatments for Non-Motor Symptoms:

-Constipation: Addressed via diet, hydration, and handouts available at www.McMinnMD.com.

-Fatigue: Covered in a previous 2018 fatigue-focused episode.

-Sarcopenia: Counteracted with resistance training, diet, TRT, and vitamin D.

-Urinary issues: Pelvic floor therapy and fluid strategies help.

-Sleep disorders: Melatonin, sleep hygiene, CBT-I, light therapy, acupuncture.

-Mood issues (anxiety, depression): Yoga, tai chi, CBT, group support, soci

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This episode of Wellness Connection MD celebrates Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. Dr. McMinn welcomes two extraordinary guests to shine a compassionate and informed light on Parkinson’s disease. Nurse Practitioner Laura Lieb, a Parkinson’s specialist at UAB and community coordinator for the American Parkinson's Disease Association, joins the conversation alongside caregiver, support group leader, and former Care Navigator for the Parkinson's Association of Alabama, Cindy McMinn, NP. Together, they explore the evolving science of Parkinson's and discuss early warning signs, symptoms, gut-brain connections, root causes, cutting-edge therapies, and the lived experience of caregiving. From practical lifestyle tips to insights on neuroinflammation and support networks, this episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by Parkinson’s Disease. Whether you're a patient, provider, or care partner, you’ll find cutting-edge information, clarity, resources, and hope.

Want more? Visit McMinnMD.com for links, bios, and a complete resource guide.

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What if the root cause of your dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, rapid heart rate, blood pressure swings, chest pain, gut issues, and post-Covid funk wasn’t “just anxiety”—but a hidden autonomic nervous system dysfunction? In this compelling episode of The Wellness Connection MD, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay welcome back nutritionist Tyler Mathews for an eye-opening conversation about dysautonomia—a commonly overlooked, often misunderstood condition that may be affecting millions more than we realize.

Tyler shares his incredible recovery journey from debilitating dysautonomia to vibrant health using a blend of functional medicine strategies, which include targeted nutrition (including a radical dietary shift to carnivore), thiamine, red light therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and more. This isn’t just theory—it’s lived experience backed by solid science.

Whether you’re a patient, provider, or caregiver, this episode is loaded with practical takeaways and is a must-listen for anyone facing chronic fatigue, long COVID, or other chronic unexplained health symptoms.

👉 Ready to take back your health? Visit DysautonomiaRecovery.com to access Tyler’s course and recovery tools, and even to access one-on-one coaching. Also, check out McMinnMD.com for free resources, documents, and more. Don’t just survive—learn how to thrive.

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In this edition of the Wellness Connection MD podcast Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay take you on a thought-provoking journey through the critical role of yeast overgrowth, especially in the context of the gut microbiome, echoing the wisdom of Hippocrates that "all diseases begin in the gut." We’ll take a deep dive into this controversial and important topic as a possible hidden culprit behind fatigue, fibromyalgia, brain fog, mood swings, irritability, headaches, joint pain, chronic sinusitis, autoimmune disease, food allergies, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, IBS, GERD, and even stubborn weight gain. Join us as we reveal scientific evidence and compelling success stories that challenge conventional wisdom about yeast overgrowth and provide hope for those who've hit dead ends with traditional treatments. Discover the various mechanisms by which yeast in the gut microbiome wreaks havoc not only in our gut, but throughout our entire body. Discover why understanding your gut microbiome might be the game changer in your wellness journey.

Like most traditionally trained doctors, Dr. McMinn started his journey as a non-believer when it comes to yeast overgrowth. However, after witnessing the profound effects that his yeast protocol had on his patients, he could no longer deny the importance of treating yeast overgrowth for selected patients. He has now become a passionate advocate for considering yeast overgrowth in the context of the broader context of creating a balanced and healthy gut microbiome. He shares his McMinn Yeast Protocol with you and encourages providers to consider treating yeast overgrowth for patients who fit the clinical picture, especially for those desperate patients for whom standard traditional therapies have not worked.

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In this episode of Wellness Connection MD, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay discuss a functional (root cause) approach to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide for both men and women. Your chances of dying from this disease are greater than for any other cause. You’ll find the information that you need in this podcast to improve your odds of suffering with, and dying from heart disease.

This episode starts by defining exactly what is meant by the term “cardiovascular disease,” and discussing the various disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, and peripheral arterial disease, among others.

Then Dr. McMinn and Lindsay break down the various cardiovascular risk factors, both modifiable and non-modifiable, and they present evidence-based practical solutions, both from the functional and integrative perspective, as well as conventional approaches for prevention and treatment, with an emphasis on personalized strategies.

The key takeaway is that understanding and addressing modifiable risk factors is crucial for both prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The episode also refers to many additional resources available at McMinnMD.com, including “The Daggers of Cardiovascular Disease,” a summary of metabolic syndrome, integrative therapies for high blood pressure, sleep therapy options, Dr. McMinn’s stress toolbox and strass plan, a document about natural ways to balance lipids, information about smoking cessation, and Dr. McMinn’s cardiovascular wellness plans.

If you enjoy the podcast please leave a review on iTunes and share it with a friend. Feel free to contact Dr. McMinn at doctormcminn@yahoo.com for feedback or topic suggestions.

In closing: Your health is your greatest gift. Cherish your gift of heart health, and put together a personalized plan to live a long and healthy life by warding off cardiovascular disease.

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In this episode, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay are visited by Elizabeth Ellison , a Postpartum Nurse & Fertility Care Practitioner. Together we explore women’s reproductive health with a focus on understanding the menstrual cycle as a vital indicator of overall health.

The episode emphasizes the Creighton Model System. Elizabeth explains how this model helps women identify patterns in their cycles, enabling them to better understand their bodies, recognize irregularities, and address root causes of health issues such as hormonal imbalances, cycle irregularities, and fertility issues.

Key Points Discussed:

1. 1. The Menstrual Cycle as a Health Indicator: Tracking a woman’s cycle provides insights into hormonal health, fertility, and other potential health concerns.
   2. Empowerment through Body Literacy: Women can learn to observe and interpret their cycles, enabling proactive healthcare, and avoiding reliance on symptom-masking pharmaceutical treatments.
   3. NaproTechnology (Napro): This medical approach works alongside the Creighton Model, offering restorative treatments for reproductive issues.
   4. Effectiveness for Family Planning: The Creighton Model is 99.5% effective for avoiding pregnancy with perfect use, and 96.8% with typical use. For achieving pregnancy, 98% of couples with normal fertility succeed within six cycles.
   5. Holistic and Empowered Personalized Care: The process empowers women to identify irregularities and work with providers to address root-cause issues.
   6. The Downside of Hormonal Contraceptives: Hormonal contraceptives, like the birth control pill, have been around for many years, and many women seem to do fine with it. However, while this method is quite effective, hormonal contraceptives may have many unwanted side effects. It is important to educate women as to their options, including more holistic methods, such as the Creighton Model in order to enable them to make wise and educated choices as to what may work best for them.

In summary, this podcast is about educating and empowering women to become active participants and to take control of their reproductive health. We hope that you enjoy the podcast.

Elizabeth Ellison Contact Information
elizabeth.flourishfertility@gmail.com
www.flourishfertilitycare.com.
Instagram: @flourishfertilitycare

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This episode of the Wellness Connection MD podcast focuses on the critical topic of pre-conception care, emphasizing the importance of both parents optimizing their health in the months leading up to pregnancy. The hosts explain that the health of the egg and sperm, as well as the environment in which they develop, significantly impacts fertility, pregnancy outcomes. the long-term health of the child, and even the health of future generations.

Key points discussed include:

• Pre-conception health: The hosts stress that lifestyle choices made before conception can reduce risks like miscarriages, birth defects, childhood, diseases, and can even affect adult health.
• Diet and Nutrition: A balanced diet, such as a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids is essential for both egg and sperm health. Supplements like folic acid, CoQ10, and vitamin D are also recommended for improving fertility.
• Toxins and Lifestyle Factors: The podcast covers how alcohol, smoking, caffeine, and environmental toxins can negatively affect reproductive health. Reducing exposure to these substances is crucial for optimizing fertility. Toxins discussed include heavy metals, mycotoxins from mold, and organic toxins, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• Stress Management: Stress can interfere with reproductive health by disrupting hormonal balance. The hosts recommend stress management techniques to improve fertility outcomes.
• Other factors are also discussed, such as restorative sleep, exercise, medications, hydration, infections, thyroid optimization, acupuncture, and epigenetics.

Listeners are encouraged to share this information with anyone considering starting a family and to take practical steps toward improving their pre-conception health.

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This episode contains an interview with inventor, author, and entrepreneur Jim Klopman about the important issues of fall prevention and balance training.

Falls are the number one cause of accidental injury and death in those over 65 years old. Many victims of non-fatal falls are left with severe functional impairments, often requiring long-term care. In the year 2020 the price tag for falls to our health care system in the US was over 81 Billion dollars.

Balance training is a proven method for reducing falls, and it is also a cornerstone of training for improved athletic performance for sports of all kinds. Standing, walking, running, and even sitting would be impossible without balance. It is also a proven fact that mobility is profoundly related to morbidity and mortality

On today's show we will discuss some of the causes of falls, medications that affect falls, home modifications to reduce falls, fear of falling, proper footwear, the effects of certain medical conditions on falls, fall risk assessment, the role that vision plays in balance, the effects of aging on falls, neuroplasticity and neuro-rehabilitation, and the utility of balance training for fall prevention and for improved sports performance. We will also discuss Jim Klopman's book "Balance is Power" and his SlackBow and SlackBlock training devices for balance training and fall prevention.

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