Essentials of Healthy Living

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Food sensitivities and eczema Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Kevin Passero and his special guest Dr. Eric Nager will discuss food sensitivities and eczema. Eric Nager, MD, is a functional medicine physician who is opening his practice at Belcara Health in Baltimore, Maryland, in January of 2019. After over 20 years as an emergency physician, Dr. Nager felt compelled to pursue his passion of finding the root cause of illness in his patients. Dr. Nager is board certified by the American Board of Anti-Aging / Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM). When he is not engaged in learning all he can to help his patients, he is spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys Olympic lifting, running in Spartan races and training with his old SWAT team.

Optimizing GI Health Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Dana Laake and her special guest Veronica Gasko will discuss optimizing GI health. Veronica P. Gasko, DC, graduated from Life Chiropractic University in Marietta, Georgia, in 1989. Shortly after beginning practice, she started using nutrition as part of her protocols to help patients achieve their health goals. Her success led to opening three practices specializing in functional nutrition with chiropractic sports and pediatric care. Dr. Gasko has lectured throughout the US and Canada on pediatric chiropractic, along with her sister Theresa Warner, DC. She is currently working with Metagenics as a Medical Information Scientist, addressing questions on formulas and protocols for practitioners.

Personalized healthcare through functional medicine coaching Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Dana Laake and her special guest Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum will discuss personalized healthcare through functional medicine coaching. Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD, IFMCP, is passionate about transforming healthcare by training health coaches to integrate the positive psychology model of coaching with the functional medicine approach to reversing chronic illness. She founded the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy in collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine. A licensed clinical psychologist for over 35 years, she taught graduate-level courses in the psychology of eating and mind-body medicine, ran clinics for treating attention deficit disorders, panic and anxiety, and conducted one of the first controlled studies of neurofeedback. She is an IFM Certified Practitioner and the author of Functional Medicine Coaching, Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps, and How to Give Clients the Skills to Stop Panic Attacks.

The dangers of sunscreens for people and the environment Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Dana Laake and her special guest Dr. Elizabeth Plourde will discuss the dangers of sunscreens for people and the environment. Elizabeth Plourde, CLS, NCMP, PhD, is a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist with degrees in both biological science and psychology. Dr. Plourde uses her experience in her fields of study as well as her work in medical laboratories to focus attention on the hazards of sunscreen and how they are impacting our children and the environment. Dr. Plourde is a health educator and internationally known author. She has appeared on numerous network news programs and radio shows across the country.

The keto diet and the benefits of collagen Jan 27, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Kevin Passero and his special guest Travis Lesperance will discuss the keto diet and the benefits of collagen. Travis Lesperance is the regional educator for Garden of Life and has extensive knowledge of the natural foods Industry. Travis has overseen the design and utilization of food-based nutritional supplements and developed strategies to help individuals and athletes pursue their health goals Travis understands the great amount of cultural and genetic diversity that exists within human populations, and the necessity to apply nutrition and diet accordingly to achieve optimum health.

Natural medicine and its safely and efficacy in breast cancer care Jan 20, 2019

Show notes

Dana Laake and her special guest Dr. Aminah Keats will discuss natural medicine and its safely and efficacy in breast cancer care. Aminah Keats, ND, FABNO, is board certified in naturopathic oncology and has specialized in integrative oncology since 2004. Dr. Keats received her naturopathic doctorate from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology from Spelman College and did pre-medical coursework at Rutgers University. Her goal with each patient is to create a personalized treatment plan that safely works to reduce side effects, support immune function and offer a cancer-fighting benefit to patients who are actively undergoing conventional oncology treatment. Dr. Keats also works with patients who are at high risk for cancer and those seeking naturopathic care for cancer prevention. She utilizes vitamin and nutrient therapy, botanical medicine, and diet and lifestyle counseling to create individualized plans for her patients. She currently works in private practice at Capital Integrative Health in Bethesda, MD.

The most appropriate bacterial (sub)species to serve as a probiotic for infants Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Kevin Passero and his special guest Dr. Anthony Thomas will discuss the most appropriate bacterial (sub)species to serve as a probiotic for infants. Anthony Thomas, PhD, earned his B.A. in nutrition, dietetics and food science from California State University Northridge, his doctorate in nutritional biology from the University of California at Davis, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California at Los Angeles Larry Hillblom Islet Research Center. His primary research interests have focused on the influence of dietary and lifestyle factors on chronic cardiovascular/metabolic diseases including obesity, insulin resistance syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. He has authored/co-authored multiple peer reviewed scientific manuscripts and serves on the Jarrow Formulas’ Scientific Panel.

The benefits of micronutrient testing Dec 30, 2018

Show notes

Dana Laake and her special guest Heather Gunn will discuss the benefits of micronutrient testing. Heather Gunn, MS, CNS, LDN, is a clinical herbalist, licensed nutritionist and fitness consultant and serves as an account manager for SpectraCell. Heather attained a Master of Science in plant medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and is also a certified nutrition specialist in Maryland. Her special interests are supporting overall health, weight loss, hormone balance and stress management. Heather is a strong believer in functional wellness and uses nutrition and plants to support good sleep, improved energy, better concentration, low stress levels and balanced hormone production.

Toxic Metals that Cause Fatigue – and How to Detox Them Dec 23, 2018

Show notes

Dana Laake and her special guest Wendy Myers will discuss toxic metals that cause fatigue and how to detox them. Wendy Myers is a functional diagnostic nutritionist and toxic metals specialist. She is also the author of Limitless Energy: How to Detox Toxic Metals to End Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue. Through her book and her "Live to 110" podcast, Wendy explains how to safely reverse damage from toxic metals and reclaim energy once again. Passionate about the importance of detox to live a long, disease-free life, she created the revolutionary Myers Detox Protocol after working with thousands of clients.

Glyphosate and Gut Health Dec 16, 2018

Show notes

Dr. Kevin Passero and his special guest Erin Stokes will discuss glyphosate and gut health. Erin Stokes, ND, is the medical director at MegaFood, and a registered naturopathic doctor in the state of Colorado. In her role as medical director, Erin has the opportunity to educate on health and wellness topics via webinars, radio shows, articles and blogs. Dr. Stokes received her naturopathic doctor degree from Bastyr University in 2001. Shortly afterwards she began to pursue her passion for educating others by teaching Western Pathology and Psychology of Healing at Southwest Acupuncture College. She combines her experience as a naturopathic doctor with an extensive background in the natural products industry. Erin’s personal mission is to empower people with the inspiration and tools to change their lives.

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