Debunking Blood Sugar Management Myths with Mel Luther
Release Date: 11/06/2024
The Intersection of ADHD, Neurodiversity, and Functional Medicine with Dr. Dan Sullivan
Conversations for Health
Dr. Dan Sullivan is a licensed natural doctor, a naturopathic doctor with a focus on ADHD, executive function, and neurodiversity through a functional medicine lens. Based in California and New Mexico, he helps patients optimize their mental, physical, and emotional health through a functional root cause approach. He earned his doctorate from Boston University, California, and holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Maine, where he also played Division One ice hockey. He has completed functional medicine training from the Institute for Functional Medicine and is...
info_outline
Optimizing Long-term Athletic Development with Robert Yang
Conversations for Health
Robert Yang is a leading expert in digestive wellness, hormone restoration, and performance nutrition with over 27 years of clinical experience. He is an internationally sought-after presenter on a variety of topics on nutrition, gut health, and performance enhancement. He serves as an advisory board member for Titleist Performance Institute, the National Pitching Association, and the USDA's US National Development Program, where he's also the team nutritionist. He consults with elite professional athletes from the XGames, NFL, NHL, MLB, AVP, PGA, LPGA, and European Tour. In this episode of...
info_outline
The Role of Hormones and Supplements in Gut Inflammation with Dr. Inna Melamed
Conversations for Health
Dr. Inna Melamed is a pharmacist and functional medicine practitioner who specializes in Crohn's and colitis, hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and digestive dysfunction. She is the founder of Digestive Reset, the author of two books, Crohn's and Colitis Fix and Digestive Reset, and a frequent contributor to professional education platforms. In this episode of Conversations for Health, we talk about Dr. Inna's professional and personal journey and her dive deep into inflammatory bowel disease. She highlights the strategies that work best for her patients, including...
info_outline
Nutrients and Supplements for Lasting Weight Loss with Derek Johnson
Conversations for Health
info_outline
Tackling Liver Health and Mitochondrial Health with Dr. Robert Rountree
Conversations for Health
Dr. Robert Rountree is a functional and integrative medicine physician. He received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill in 1980. He completed a three-year residency in family and community medicine at the Milton Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, after which he was certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He completed extensive postgraduate studies in nutritional and herbal pharmacology and has been practicing his unique combination of traditional family medicine, nutrition, and biology in mind body therapy in...
info_outline
Men’s Health, Antiaging and Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Adam Silberman
Conversations for Health
Dr. Adam Silberman is a naturopathic doctor and expert in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Dr. Silberman brings over a decade of training and clinical experience to his patients and their families, specializing in the use of advanced lab work, diagnostic analysis, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, antiaging peptide therapy, natural medicine, and ultrasound-guided joint injections to address disease and optimize health span. He earned his bachelor's in psychology from UCLA, his doctorate in natural medicine from Western University, and an MBA from Murdoch University in Perth,...
info_outline
Battling Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Dane Johnson
Conversations for Health
Dane Johnson, board certified nutritionist and the founder of Crohn's Colitis Lifestyle, a company dedicated to helping people with IBD achieve deep healing through a blend of holistic nutrition, targeted supplementation, and personalized guidance. Dane started showing signs of IBD at the age of 19 when he noticed some blood in his stool and at 23 years old he couldn't ignore his symptoms any longer. After several years of going to various doctors and spending thousands of dollars trying to get treatment, Dane learned that he needed to be his biggest advocate and listen to his body. Once Dane...
info_outline
Implementing Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause with Dr. Manna Semby
Conversations for Health
Dr. Manna Semby is a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor and Menopause Society certified practitioner. She specializes in midlife transformation through hormone optimization, brain health, and systems biology. She is the founder of Aruna Personalized Medicine and creator of the Aruna method, a multimodal model designed to help high achieving women reclaim energy, clarity and resilience during life's most pivotal transition. A ReCODE 2.0 certified practitioner and recent TEDx speaker, Dr. Semby brings together science, wisdom and strategy to help her patients not just feel better, but...
info_outline
Supporting Longevity in Fertility with Dr. Kalea Wattles
Conversations for Health
Kalea Wattles, ND, IFMCP, is a naturopathic physician and functional medicine practitioner specializing in fertility optimization. Currently serving as the Clinical Special Projects Manager at The Institute for Functional Medicine, where she has been on staff since 2017, she is committed to the advancement of the field through research and education. She is the host of IFM’s podcast Pathways to Well-Being. Dr. Wattles earned her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University, where she developed a keen interest in functional medicine. She went on to receive additional training...
info_outline
An Integrative Approach to Optimizing Bone Health with Dr. Keith McCormick
Conversations for Health
Dr. Keith McCormick is a board certified chiropractic physician, athlete, founder of OsteoNaturals, and author of Great Bones: Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis, which delves deeper into the science of osteoporosis, providing both patients and healthcare professionals with the latest insights and strategies for achieving optimal bone health. He takes a functional and integrative approach to bone health when treating patients. On this episode of Conversations for Health, Dr. McCormick and I discuss bone density, bone quality, lab tests, scans and markers, medicines, exercise and...
info_outlineMel Luther is a dedicated nutrition consultant with experience in one-on-one coaching, group coaching, public speaking as a nutrition educator, and hosting wellness retreats. She is passionate about nutrition education, coaching, and science writing. Mel earned her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Anthropology from the University of Hawaii, followed by certification as a holistic nutritionist through the Energetic Health Institute. She also holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. Her diverse background includes working in integrative nutrition and pharmacy centers, and cardiac rehabilitation programs, and contributing to the writing and educational platforms at Designs for Health.
Mel’s work in cardiac rehab as a nutritionist underscores the importance of blood sugar management and heart disease. The relationship between cardiovascular health, diabetes, and blood sugar management is often overlooked by practitioners but plays a critical role in optimal patient health. Together Mel and I discuss the key changes that her clients implement for blood sugar management, including effective nutrients, quality sleep, timing meals, continuous glucose monitoring, and hemoglobin levels. She shines a light on what really works and what doesn’t, the role gender plays in blood sugar management, and the surprising relationship between coffee consumption and ovarian health.
I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.
Episode Resources:
Mel Luther - https://www.nutritionwithmel.com/
Design for Health Resources:
Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/
Nutrition Blog: 4 Surprising Botanicals to Promote Normal GLP-1 Production - https://www.casi.org/4-surprising-botanicals-promote-normal-glp-1-production
Nutrition Blog: Berberine: For Blood Sugar, Healthy Weight, and Beyond - https://www.casi.org/berberine-for-blood-sugar-healthy-weight-and-beyond
Science Blog: Recent Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Explores Potential Link Between Certain Micronutrients and Glucose Metabolism - https://www.casi.org/micronutrients-and-glucose-metabolism
Designs for Health Practitioner Exclusive Drug Nutrient Depletion and Interaction Checker - https://www.designsforhealth.com/drug-nutrient-interaction/
Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.
https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education
Chapters:
00:00 Intro.
02:32 Mel’s introduction into functional medicine started with unresolved asthma and digestive issues in her youth.
05:20 Nutritional Anthropology considers practices that have been utilized for thousands of years.
08:29 Mel’s work in cardiac rehab as a nutritionist underscores the importance of blood sugar management in heart disease.
10:25 An overview of three pillars in Mel’s rehab program – nutrition, exercise, and mindset.
13:25 Cardiac events are the number one reason Mel’s patients seek health coaching and motivational interviewing.
15:20 Top changes that Mel’s clients implement for blood sugar management.
17:24 Timing meal recommendations for blood sugar management.
19:15 Nutrients that play a key role in blood sugar management, include niacin, magnesium, and thiamine.
25:20 Vitamin B6 and folate deficiencies in neuropathy, mental health, and blood sugar management.
28:08 Top pre-diabetes medications that result in nutrient depletions, including GLP-1.
32:20 Herbal and nutrient support for patients, including fiber and berberine.
34:09 The connection between blood sugar, mental health, and quality sleep.
40:45 Continuous glucose monitoring for non-diabetics.
44:25 Key sex differences in blood sugar management, especially during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
45:51 Hemoglobin levels are not directly connected to blood sugar levels.
48:08 PCOS symptoms and indicators.
51:45 The relationships between coffee consumption and ovarian health.
54:02 Mel’s top three supplements, favorite health practices, and her changing views on vegetarianism.