Functional Health Radio

About Functional Health Radio

Let's awaken your true potential and optimize the most incredible system you'll ever own—your body. We'll explore the most effective functional health strategies for solving today's most common chronic health issues. Welcome to Functional Health Radio!

Publisher

Dr. Kristin Hieshetter

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Sept 2023

Latest episode

28 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

73 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Apr 2026

   Episode #70: Unveiling the Hidden Crisis in Women's Health and Fertility

   About the Guest(s): Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is a dedicated functional health expert and seasoned podcast host who is deeply invested in women's health, longevity, and fertility. With a rich background in functional medicine, Dr. Hieshetter blends her professional expertise with personal insights, being a mother herself, steeped in a family history of strong, long-lived women. Her mission is to raise awareness on critical issues like hormonal health and its relation to women's overall well-being and societal health. Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delves into the intricate world of women's health and fertility. Drawing on both personal and professional insight, she emphasizes the importance of understanding women's hormonal cycles as a key indicator of health and longevity. With an emphasis on how these cycles influence not just individual well-being but also societal health at large, Dr. Hieshetter offers a nuanced look at topics like the early onset of puberty, menstrual irregularities, and the role of societal factors in women's reproductive health. As the discussion unfolds, Dr. Hieshetter unveils startling statistics from recent studies on early menstruation onset and its health implications. Emphasizing the impact of environmental factors and lifestyle choices on reproductive health, she urges listeners to look beyond conventional wisdom and explore how modern lifestyles and diets may be affecting our biological systems. Dr. Hieshetter concludes with a powerful call to action, encouraging both women and men to become informed and proactive in their health choices, promising future episodes focused on men's health to ensure a balanced discourse. Key Takeaways: Hormonal cycles are integral not only to women's health but also to societal longevity and quality of life, serving as vital signs of overall health. There has been a significant shift in the onset of puberty, with critical implications for girls' long-term health, as influenced by obesity and environmental toxins. Early onset of puberty is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and bone fractures, highlighting the need for further study and awareness. The use of hormonal contraceptives in young female athletes, while often for menstrual regulation, may contribute to an increased risk of bone stress injuries. The pervasive influence of environmental contaminants and diet on hormonal health and reproductive capabilities demands urgent attention and systemic change. Notable Quotes: "Women's health is a critical player in the survival of humanity." "If you don't have healthy women, you're not going to have healthy babies." "Menstrual cycles are a vital sign, the biggest predictor of health and longevity in society." "Children should have a childhood free of health issues influenced heavily by dietary and environmental factors." "We've been propagandized to ingest things that aren't good for us, relying on medications for maladies preventable by lifestyle changes." Resources: Journal of American Medical Association, Open Network National Library of Medicine, February 2021, on hormonal contraception and bone stress injuries Human Reproduction Journal - study on air pollution exposure and menstrual disorders Nurses Health Study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) covering exposure and menstrual cycle irregularities Listeners are encouraged to dive into this episode for a comprehensive understanding of women's health and fertility and stay connected for future episodes tackling men's health and hormone-related topics. Tune in to Functional Health Radio for more insights and expert discussions on optimizing health and well-being.

2. 

   22 Apr 2026

   Episode #69: New Food Guide Pyramid A Path to Healthier Kids

   About the Guest(s): Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is a renowned wellness expert and host of Functional Health Radio. With a profound understanding of functional health, she is committed to sharing actionable advice on living a healthier life. Dr. Hieshetter's passion for nutrition and holistic wellness informs her engaging discourse, where she challenges conventional health paradigms with well-researched alternatives. Episode Summary: In this episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter embarks on a transformative discussion about the newly introduced Food Guide Pyramid in the United States. She emphasizes the importance of embracing a whole-foods diet that aligns with our genetic makeup for achieving optimal health. Dr. Hieshetter begins by addressing the global reach of her podcast and the consistent goal of enhancing health span through mindful nutritional choices. Dr. Hieshetter critiques the outdated food pyramid, which overly emphasized grain consumption, leading to increased rates of obesity, heart disease, and other health issues in the U.S. She highlights how the new pyramid is a significant departure, reducing recommended grain intake while emphasizing whole foods such as vegetables, meats, and healthy fats. She reinforces the need to align dietary choices with the biological needs of our bodies by avoiding processed and packaged foods, advocating for whole, nutrient-rich foods to combat inflammation and chronic illness. Key Takeaways: The new Food Guide Pyramid in the United States drastically reduces the emphasis on grains and increases focus on whole foods to promote better health. Consuming a diet rich in vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats rather than packaged and processed foods can improve health and reduce risk of chronic diseases. Historical biases in dietary guidelines, influenced by industry interests, led to health issues like increased diabetes and obesity in the U.S. Dietary changes can have a profound positive impact on children's health, potentially addressing trends in obesity, chronic conditions, and functional status. Environmental factors, including toxins in food and water, contribute significantly to the deteriorating health of U.S. children and necessitate dietary adjustments. Notable Quotes: "This human body that God gives us… is designed to absorb and assimilate certain nutrients from the planet." "Everything you put into your mouth either immediately helps you or immediately harms you." "We need to go back to real food. And that's what this Food Guide Pyramid is saying." "Our children are 80% more likely to die here than anywhere else." "In America, we need our diet to be… 3 omega 6 fats to 1 omega 3." Resources: Journal of the American Medical Association: July 7, 2025 article on U.S. child health. Books by Nora Gedgaudas: "Primal Body, Primal Mind" and "Primal Fat Burner." Dr. Dan Murphy: Referenced for his contributions to the book "Primal Fat Burner." Listeners are encouraged to explore the episode to fully grasp Dr. Hieshetter's insightful suggestions on diet alterations and their far-reaching impacts on health. Stay tuned to Functional Health Radio for more informative discussions that pave the way to a healthier lifestyle.

3. 

   13 Feb 2026

   Episode #68: Exploring COVID as a Brain Disease and Long Hauler Solutions

   About the Guest(s): Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is the host of Functional Health Radio, an established healthcare professional with expertise in functional medicine, chiropractic care, and neuroinflammation. With a rich background in educating medical, chiropractic, and dental professionals, Dr. Kristin is dedicated to translating complex medical research into practical knowledge for both her peers and the general public. She regularly integrates insights from reputable medical journals into her work and travels to share her knowledge at various continuing education events for healthcare providers. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delves into the implications of COVID-19 as a brain disease, discussing its impact on long-term neurological health and offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies. Highlighting the struggles faced by the 225 million individuals worldwide known as "Covid long haulers," Dr. Kristin shares her expertise on the often debilitating neurological symptoms that persist in many patients well after recovery from the initial infection. Throughout the episode, Dr. Kristin explores the science behind COVID-19's effects on the brain, emphasizing the structural impact of the virus's spike proteins and their lingering presence. By referencing several studies, including those published in top-tier journals such as Molecular Neurobiology and Nature Medicine, she discusses the immune-mediated pathways that lead to neuroinflammation, cognitive deficits, and reduced gray matter in COVID-19 patients. She sheds light on the necessity for personalized protocols when treating long-haul symptoms, combined with the use of low-level lasers, supplements, and lifestyle changes to promote healing and brain health. Key Takeaways: COVID-19 can have long-term neurological effects, leading to symptoms such as brain fog, memory loss, and anxiety. Spike proteins from the virus remain in the body, contributing to neuroinflammation and facilitating long-term cognitive issues. Integral therapeutic approaches include tailored supplementation, regular exercise, low-level laser therapy, and controlled doses of methylene blue. Variability in patient responses necessitates highly individualized treatment plans to manage and potentially reverse symptoms. Maintaining brain health requires attention to exercise, nutrition, and supplementation to combat the inflammatory effects of the virus. Notable Quotes: "Both long Covid and COVID vaccine can sometimes create things like brain fog, neuroinflammation, and long term sequelae." "We have more abnormal than normal brains in the world." "The COVID spike proteins, they hang out at the base of the skull, throughout the skull, in a system called the duromeningeal system." "COVID long haulers have way too much inflammation. Low-level laser can help you with that." "For every nerve that goes from the brain to the stomach, nine go back up." Resources: PubMed: Molecular Neurobiology, July 2021 Journal Article: Cell Host and Microbe, Volume 32, 2024 Dr. Greg Fors - BioSpec Nutritionals: Mito Detox 3 Nature Medicine, Volume 31, 2025 Listeners are encouraged to dive into this informative episode to understand fully the complex nature of COVID-19 as a brain disease and its long-term implications on health. Join Dr. Kristin as she prepares to address these pertinent challenges faced by many today and provides tools for navigating them. Stay tuned for more episodes of Functional Health Radio for continued learning and insight.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

23 ratings

Spotify

4.4 / 5

7 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.