Pursuit of Wellness Podcast: LIVE EVENT with Dr. Will Cole, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and Emily Morrow
Release Date: November 28, 2024
Host: Mari Llewellyn
Guests: Dr. Will Cole (Functional Medicine Expert), Dr. Gabrielle Lyon (Founder of the Institute for Muscle Centric Medicine), Emily Morrow (Nutritional Therapy and Integrative Health Practitioner)
Introduction
In this special live episode of the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, host Mari Llewellyn collaborates with esteemed experts Dr. Will Cole, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and Emily Morrow to delve deep into various facets of health and wellness. Recorded during the Joy of Wellness event, the discussion spans functional medicine, muscle-centric health, integrative nutrition, and the intricate connections between mental and physical well-being.
Interview with Dr. Will Cole: The Foundation of Functional Medicine
Journey into Functional Medicine
Dr. Will Cole shares his early exposure to health and wellness, influenced by his bodybuilding father and a family culture centered around health foods. This upbringing propelled him to pursue formal training in functional medicine, eventually founding the first functional medicine telehealth clinic in Pennsylvania.
“I was weird then and I guess I'm weird now.”
[02:05]
Importance of Addressing Root Causes
Dr. Cole emphasizes the significance of identifying and treating the root causes of health issues rather than merely managing symptoms. He critiques the traditional healthcare system's focus on symptom management, highlighting the prevalence of chronic diseases despite high healthcare spending.
“We have to do something different to see something different.”
[04:04]
Common Root Causes in Practice
Environmental toxins and chronic stress are identified as major contributors to various health problems, including autoimmune disorders and mental health issues. Dr. Cole discusses the impact of microplastics, herbicides, and pesticides on human health.
“Environmental toxin and then the chronic stress, unresolved trauma piece are the two things that I think we need to be giving more attention.”
[05:28]
Strengthening the Immune System
Practical strategies to bolster the immune system include maintaining a healthy gut through diets rich in soups and broths, regular sweating via saunas or baths, and sensible supplementation with methylated B vitamins and vitamin D.
“If the American population did that, it would be a lot better.”
[07:26]
Inflammation: The Double-Edged Sword
Dr. Cole explains the role of inflammation in both protecting the body and contributing to chronic diseases when it becomes chronic. He introduces the “inflammatory core four”: added sugar, conventional dairy, alcohol, and industrial seed oils, advocating for mindful consumption of each.
“There is no problem in one gram per pound.”
[10:00]
Mental Health and Gut Health
The interplay between unresolved trauma and physical health is explored, with Dr. Cole highlighting the significance of assessing adverse childhood experiences (ACE scores) in understanding autoimmune and metabolic issues.
“It's a significant role. I have every new telehealth patient fill out what's called an ACE score.”
[13:54]
Starting Your Wellness Journey
For beginners, Dr. Cole recommends addressing the inflammatory core four, supporting gut health through consistent dietary practices, and managing stress by setting healthy boundaries with information consumption.
“Stress about healthy food, stress about fitness, stress about wellness isn't good for our health.”
[16:51]
Audience Q&A Highlights
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Fitness Regimen: Dr. Cole shares his routine of traditional weight training and incorporating nature hikes for mental well-being.
“I'm just walking and typing. And so I... That's mainly what I do.”
[20:16] -
Cold Plunges and Hormetic Stressors: Discussing the benefits and cautions of cold plunges, Dr. Cole advises gradual acclimation and being intuitive, especially for women sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.
“These are hormetic effects in the body. These are good stressors.”
[20:21]
Interview with Emily Morrow: Integrative Approaches to Skin and Overall Health
Personal Journey to Integrative Health
Emily Morrow recounts her transition from a career in coding to health after experiencing severe autoimmune issues post-college. Her discovery of functional medicine provided alternative solutions that traditional medicine overlooked.
“I was told I needed to be on a liver transplant list. But something within me just didn't.”
[31:29]
Common Lab Findings and Holistic Health
Emily discusses how issues like acne are interconnected with broader health concerns such as hormonal balance, menstrual health, and fertility. She emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach rather than isolated fixes.
“It's never an isolated thing. And I think that there's this idea that if you just fix this one thing, all of your health issues will go away.”
[33:50]
Effective Detox Methods
Favorite detox strategies include infrared saunas and castor oil packs, which aid in liver function and overall detoxification. Emily provides practical advice on implementing these methods at home.
“Infrared saunas and being able to detox through your sweat... place castor oil on that wool cloth and tying it around your liver.”
[39:53]
Stress Management Tools
Emily underscores personalized stress relief techniques, advocating for practices that bring individual joy and relaxation, such as deep breathing before meals and enjoying sunlight daily.
“Take five deep breaths before each meal. It's something simple you can add in.”
[41:15]
Audience Q&A Highlights
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Castor Oil Packs: Emily recommends purchasing from reputable brands like Queen of Thrones on Amazon and advises using hexane-free, glass bottle castor oil for maximum benefits.
“Castor oil has a host of beneficial properties and lowering inflammation of the liver and gut.”
[45:20] -
Testing for Toxins: She suggests comprehensive panels from providers like Vibrant for a full picture of environmental toxins, heavy metals, and mycotoxins.
“There isn't one perfect test. You have to look at everything and their symptoms as a full picture.”
[43:17]
Interview with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon: The Power of Skeletal Muscle in Longevity
Foundation of Muscle-Centric Medicine
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon explains her pivot from geriatrics to focusing on skeletal muscle as the cornerstone of health. Her epiphany came from witnessing the cognitive decline in a patient despite traditional weight management strategies.
“Obesity, being overweight, challenges with metabolism, they're not rooted in body fat. They're rooted in unhealthy skeletal muscle.”
[52:58]
The Vital Role of Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal muscle is described as the “organ of longevity,” crucial for metabolism, immune function, and overall longevity. Dr. Lyon highlights how muscle mass impacts diseases like PCOS, infertility, and metabolic syndrome.
“Skeletal muscle is the place where we store carbohydrates, glucose.”
[53:01]
Concerns with Rapid Weight Loss and Muscle Preservation
Addressing the rise of weight loss medications like Ozempic, Dr. Lyon discusses the importance of resistance training and adequate protein intake to preserve muscle mass during weight loss.
“When we utilize the tools that we have, like resistance training, like increased dietary protein, we see a muscle sparing effect.”
[55:45]
Practical Strategies for Muscle Maintenance
She advocates for resistance training, increased dietary protein (aiming for at least 1 gram per pound of body weight), and mindful supplement use to support muscle health and overall metabolism.
“She has to do resistance training. You need to have grace and lightness and be okay with that.”
[59:15]
Audience Q&A Highlights
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Excess Muscle Considerations: Dr. Lyon clarifies that having “too much muscle” is generally not a concern, emphasizing that healthy muscle mass is beneficial and that measurement tools like MRI are more accurate than DEXA scans.
“Do I believe that there is ever such thing as too much muscle? No, we don't see that in humans.”
[69:07] -
Protein Absorption and Amino Acids: She emphasizes the importance of consuming quality protein sources and may recommend supplements like branched-chain amino acids for those on plant-based diets or with lower protein intake.
“It's about the individual amino acids, all with unique pathways that do very unique, specific things in the body.”
[73:52]
Conclusion
This episode of Pursuit of Wellness offers a comprehensive exploration of holistic health, blending functional medicine, muscle-centric approaches, and integrative nutrition. The experts provide actionable insights into addressing root causes of chronic diseases, maintaining muscle mass for longevity, and implementing effective detox and stress management strategies. Listeners are empowered with knowledge to embark on or enhance their wellness journeys, supported by expert advice and practical recommendations.
Notable Quotes:
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Dr. Will Cole:
“We have to do something different to see something different.”
[04:04] -
Emily Morrow:
“It's never an isolated thing. And I think that there's this idea that if you just fix this one thing, all of your health issues will go away.”
[33:50] -
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon:
“Skeletal muscle is the organ of longevity.”
[53:01]
Resources Mentioned:
- Castor Oil Packs: Queen of Thrones on Amazon
- Detox Panels: Vibrant Offers Total Tox Panel, Real Time Labs
- Cold Plunging Products: Bond Charges Sauna and Plunge
- Air Purifiers: Clean Skin Club, Jasper
- Stress Management Tools: Apollo Neuro, Sensate
For more insights and updates, subscribe to the Pursuit of Wellness podcast and follow Mari Llewellyn on her social media platforms.