230 Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Interstitial Cystitis. What the Immune System Reveals with Dr. Bruce Gillis
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Release Date: 10/13/2025
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In episode 235 of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Don Cote shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to building a life of meaning, resilience, and purpose. With his background in cognitive behavioral science, business coaching, and decades of lived experience, Don reveals how his father’s wisdom and Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" inspired him to develop his Life Works Life Mastery System, a step-by-step blueprint for transformation. We explore how you too can thrive in your later years, redefine a "successfull life" and build connections and community ...
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In this captivating episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch dives into the mystical yet deeply practical world of the Akashic Records with Natasha Rocha. Often described as the “Google of the spiritual world,” the Akashic Records are said to hold the blueprint of your soul—your purpose, gifts, and highest potential. Natasha shares her personal spiritual awakening, how she helps people access their soul’s blueprint, and why reconnecting with passion and purpose can reignite vitality at any age. This episode reveals how understanding your Akashic blueprint...
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Tim Christophersen, one of the world’s leading voices on ecosystem restoration, joins Dr. Gillian Lockitch for episode 233 of the Growing Older Living Younger podcast. With over 25 years of experience shaping global climate and biodiversity policy at the United Nations and now leading sustainability initiatives at Salesforce, Tim discusses how restoring our relationship with nature is essential not only for planetary health but very much so for our personal health and longevity. From the philosophy of ecological literacy to regenerative farming, urban green equity, and...
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In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes Dr. Kavin Mistry to discuss how aligning with our primal design can help us reverse biological age. Drawing from neuroscience, the Hadzabe tribe, and his seven paradigms of Primal Health Design, Dr. Mistry explains how circadian rhythms, primal alignment, gut microbiome health, neuroplasticity, and emotional connection contribute to resilience and longevity. He also shares practical daily habits—like stillness practices and his free morning routine—that can transform health at any age. This conversation offers...
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'Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work .' (Thomas Edison) 'People tell me ‘you’re not the same person that I was 20 years ago’ and I say good! I don’t want to be that same person, I want to grow' (Darlene Shearer) Darlene Shearer is an entrepreneur who, over the past 3 decades has built and run a global business in health, beauty, and anti-aging. As the first Team Elite in Canada, she has mentored and trained new entrepreneurs of diverse ages, backgrounds and cultures. Darlene has more energy, optimism, and passion for life than many...
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In this strategy packed episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Alison McCune Davis, author of 60 Is a Good Start and creator of the Reignite 60-Day Dare Planner. Alison shares her journey from television producer to homeschooling mom of five, and how turning 60 inspired her to embrace longevity-focused lifestyle habits and design a framework that empowers women to thrive at midlife and beyond. Listeners will learn how to build energy, strengthen their bodies, reset their minds, and find meaningful purpose through small, sustainable...
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The changes in our metabolism and body systems that we associate with aging are variable, and manifest at different times in different individuals. Presbyopia, the difficulty in close up focussing that requires us to get reading glasses, may become problematic in the early forties for some, while others may not experience it until much later in life. Other aging associated changes like wrinkles from loss of elasticity in our skin, thinning, baldness or greying of our hair, or increasing middle-age spread, also become evident in individuals at different ages. As women, we...
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In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Dr. Bruce Gillis about chronic immune system disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and long COVID. Dr. Gillis shares how his research overturned decades of stigma by proving these conditions are objectively measurable through immune system testing and DNA genomic signatures. The conversation explores the role of epigenetics in disease development, the link between coronaviruses and long COVID, and the discovery of a...
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In today’s conversation, I speak with Sally Norton, a nutritionist with a unique specialty— warning us that “healthy” eating, and so-called superfoods, can make us sick. Like most of us, I grew up with, and have an ingrained belief, that fruits and vegetables are good and essential to a healthy diet. Although I knew that plant toxins like phytates and oxalates in excess could cause mineral deficiencies, kidney stones and gout, I had not considered the health burden that may be imposed on individuals and society consuming a plant only diet. Popular foods such...
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In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch and Dr. Cathy Goldstein uncover hidden truths of the beauty industry. While fillers, Botox, and injectables dominate today’s aesthetic market, Cathy Goldstein explains how these treatments can interfere with facial expression, emotional intelligence, and even brain health. Instead, she advocates for a holistic approach—restoring natural energy flow, releasing stored trauma, and using frequency-based therapies that rejuvenate from the inside out. Listeners will gain new insights into how to age with authenticity, vitality, and self-connection...
info_outlineIn this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Dr. Bruce Gillis about chronic immune system disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and long COVID. Dr. Gillis shares how his research overturned decades of stigma by proving these conditions are objectively measurable through immune system testing and DNA genomic signatures. The conversation explores the role of epigenetics in disease development, the link between coronaviruses and long COVID, and the discovery of a microbiome-modulating compound that reduces symptoms. Listeners will gain validation, clarity, and practical insights into how accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies can improve quality of life.
Dr. Bruce Gillis is a physician-scientist and public health expert whose career spans clinical medicine, research, and academic leadership. After earning his MD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health, he completed two residencies and two fellowships before joining the faculty at Harvard Medical School, UCLA, and the University of Illinois. His early work focused on environmental health and toxic exposures, including oversight of the Alaskan oil spill cleanup and aerospace medicine projects. Dr. Gillis later turned his focus to chronic immune system disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and long COVID. Through groundbreaking research, his team identified specific white blood cell dysfunctions and unique DNA genomic signatures that objectively prove fibromyalgia and related disorders are real, diagnosable conditions. He pioneered the development of the FibroTest, an FDA-reviewed diagnostic blood test now covered by Medicare and many insurers, and continues to study therapeutic compounds that support microbiome health and improve symptom management.
Episode Timeline
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
Podcast focus on aging youthfully; Gillian introduces Dr. Gillis and chronic immune disorders.
05:51 – Dr. Gillis’ Journey
From rural upbringing to Harvard MD/MPH; work in environmental health, aerospace, and proving fibromyalgia is real.
08:44 – What Are Chronic Immune Disorders?
Definitions, stigma, and why current drugs only mask symptoms.
12:17 – Epigenetics & Long COVID
How environmental triggers and coronaviruses drive epigenetic DNA changes linked to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
16:40 – Blood-Based Diagnostics
Immune system testing, identification of protein deficiencies, and discovery of unique DNA genomic signatures.
18:56 – Comparing Conditions
How fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and interstitial cystitis differ yet share immune dysfunction.
25:34 – Better Diagnostics for Interstitial Cystitis
Blood tests prove 11x more accurate than invasive cystoscopy.
27:15 – Therapies & Lifestyle
Nutrition, hydration, and discovery of the mycobacterium-derived compound Imbics that supports microbiome health.
34:40 – Future Directions
Expanding research into long COVID and other chronic conditions; improving management, not curing DNA changes.
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Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch
Email: askdrgill@gmail.com
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