Lee Carroll joins The First Lady of Nutrition for a fascinating deep dive into the amazing world of functional mushrooms. Lee is a distinguished medical herbalist, innovator, speaker, educator, and mentor to health professionals worldwide. Ann Louise and Lee cover everything from mushroom coffee vs. supplements to why mushrooms deliver nutrients you won’t find elsewhere. Surprising fact: humans and fungi share 30% DNA!

The conversation spotlights ergothioneine—a unique antioxidant concentrated in red blood cells, the eyes, and the liver that Lee believes is poised to become the next big discovery in health circles. You’ll learn where this compound is most concentrated (Golden Oyster leads the pack; Lion’s Mane and Shiitake are other strong sources). In addition, you'll be privy to not only the specific amounts of these exclusive nutrients, but also why researchers are hard at work developing a test that may flag neurological risk years earlier.

Lee also offers a fresh lens on why women face more autoimmunity disorders than men and how mushroom nutrients may support immune balance. These two titans of health touch on product quality, cancer-care conversations, and Lee’s Top 5 mushroom picks. Curious which mushrooms to sip, stack, or sauté? Press play—and start a smarter mushroom routine. Learn more about Lee at herbameditari.com or realmushrooms.com.

The post Ergothioneine: The Most Important Nutrient You Have Never Heard Of! – Episode 201: Lee Carroll first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

In this episode, The First Lady of Nutrition welcomes Dr. Noel Baker, a respected functional medicine practitioner and one of the foremost protégés of Dr. Theodore Baroody, author of the groundbreaking book, The Hiatal Hernia Syndrome: The Mother of All Illnesses. Together, they explore a little-understood health issue—a hiatal hernia, which is essentially a misalignment of the stomach that can trigger a ripple effect of symptoms throughout the body. Ann Louise speaks from experience, having personally worked with Dr. Baker and experienced the healing process firsthand.

A hiatal hernia is more than just a mechanical issue or a cause of common indigestion. It can be the hidden source behind a wide array of symptoms that many people—and their doctors—struggle to explain. This can include alarming symptoms that mimic heart attacks, a hijacked fight-or-flight response, disrupted vagus nerve function, trouble taking a deep breath and swallowing, plus a domino effect of stress-related imbalances throughout the body including anxiety.

Listeners will also gain insight into the importance of the “alpha state,” the role of neurofeedback in restoring calm and nervous system balance, and how holistic practices like grounding, yoga, stretching—and even an unconventional method known as the “stomach egg”—can play a powerful role in the healing process. To connect with Dr. Noel Baker and his team, visit PureFunctionalMedicine.com.

The post Hiatal Hernia: The Mother of All Illnesses – Episode 200: Dr. Noel Baker first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

The First Lady of Nutrition spotlights environmental toxins expert Lara Adler. Adler is a globally recognized Environmental Health Educator who has trained thousands of practitioners to identify and address hidden toxic exposures impacting chronic health. Together, Ann Louise and Lara explore the unexpected ways chemicals in our everyday environment are sabotaging our health—and our waistlines. From hidden toxins in cookware, food packaging, and personal care products to unexpected offenders like candles, perfumes, and even your mattress, no topic is off-limits.

You’ll learn why the kitchen is frequently a chemical hotspot in the home, how “obesogens” may be fueling weight gain without you even consuming extra calories, and what to watch for in your bedroom, bathroom, and beyond. They even dive into the potential risks of candles, incense, tattoos, and whether essential oils are truly safe. Most importantly, Lara shares practical, doable swaps to reduce your toxic load without turning your life upside down. Visit laraadler.com to learn more.

The post How Common Household Chemicals are Disrupting Hormones, Weight & Wellbeing – Episode 199: Lara Adler first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.