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 from The Institute for Functional Medicine, where she further honed her skills in a root-cause, science-based, body-systems approach to healthcare.

In this episode of Conversations For Health, we explore how Dr. Kalea applies a functional medicine lens to fertility, highlighting the clinical relevance of mitochondrial health, oxidative stress, inflammaging, and more when it comes to female and male fertility. We discuss the narrative of the fertility cliff, how to assess diminished ovarian reserve even in patients in their 20s, and how to interpret AMH values in context. Our conversation is filled with actionable insights into preconception care protocols, fertility focus, lab interpretation, and how to personalize support for patients preparing for IVF or egg freezing.

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Kalea Wattles - https://drkaleawattles.com/

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

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

The Designs for Health Podcast is produced in partnership with Podfly Productions.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:02 Dr. Kalea is delighted about the current headlines about fertility into the 40s.

03:40 Dr. Kalea’s journey into motherhood aligned with her professional focus.

06:50 AMH is the top trending biomarker in ovarian reserve.

11:41 Markers to consider in relation to oxidative stress and inflammation.

16:02 Top tier oxidative stress markers, including 8-OHdG and F2-IsoP.

18:54 The importance of mitochondrial health in ovarian health, egg quality and sperm.

23:50 DNA fragmentation and other potential findings from a semen analysis.

27:00 Shifts in the fertility conversation in recent years.

31:01 CoQ10 and melatonin recommendations that Dr. Kalea implements with her patients.

37:09 The role of glutathione in protecting against oxidative stress.

39:50 Dr. Kalea’s personal experience with ovarian age testing.

43:05 Cycle Day 3 hormone measurements, including DHEA sulfate and prolactin.

49:32 Diet, environment, and other major factors in diminished ovarian reserve.

53:01 Redefining unexplained infertility.

55:06 Androgens and the impacts on eggs.

57:11 Ideal DHEA and testosterone levels.

1:00:05 The vaginal microbiome, gut health, and urea plasma.

1:03:10 Dr. Kalea’s favorite personal supplements, favorite health practices, and the maternal fertility limits that she has changed her mind about.