Realfoodology Podcast with Courtney Swan

Episode: Tylenol and Fertility – What You Need to Know (Part 2)
Guest: Dr. John Kim (Kim Wellness)
Date: October 21, 2025

Main Theme and Episode Overview

This episode continues the deep-dive with Dr. John Kim into key influences on cellular health, fertility, and the growing rates of autism. Courtney and Dr. Kim examine environmental toxins, nutrition, and medical practices—focusing especially on the widespread use of Tylenol (acetaminophen), its relationship with glutathione depletion, and implications for autism and fertility. The conversation stresses the importance of a holistic, preventative view on health, touching on everything from environmental exposures to preconception care for both parents. The tone is candid, evidence-based, and sometimes critical of mainstream medical protocols.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cellular Resiliency: Supplements and Detox

• Courtney discusses ongoing detox protocols for glyphosate, mold, and Babesia, sharing her reliance on BodyBio PC supplements for supporting cellular health.
  Quote: “One of them will probably be the Body Bio IOPC just because of how it helps build the... cellular resiliency.” (04:27)
• Dr. Kim details a patient case where oral phospholipids significantly improved cellular toxin clearance (05:02–05:16). He emphasizes the importance of focusing on environment, nervous system, and cellular health before widespread lab testing, critiquing the current functional medicine trend that overemphasizes tests and supplements (06:30).

2. Autism, Tylenol, and Glutathione Depletion

• The episode pivots to the controversial link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and autism, contextualized by AI-powered news from RFK about autism causes (07:26).
• Dr. Kim underscores that while Tylenol isn’t a direct cause of autism, its role in glutathione depletion and oxidative stress is significant—especially during infancy and following immunizations (09:40–10:54).
  • Key Mechanism: Tylenol metabolizes to NAPQI, a toxic byproduct that depletes glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant necessary for detox, immune regulation, and hormone balance.
• Notable Quote:

  “If you take more than 4,000 milligrams or 4 grams of Tylenol within 24 hours, you end up having to cause irreversible liver damage. ...When you’re taking Tylenol, it actually depletes glutathione.” – Dr. Kim (10:37)

• Historical context of biomedical interventions for autism: Dr. Kim shares experience compounding methylcobalamin injections—helping nonverbal children regain speech (14:16).
  • “This was the only thing that actually helped my grandson to talk.” (15:38, Dr. Kim)
• The conversation highlights how families and practitioners have been aware of environmental and pharmaceutical contributors to autism for years but mainstream acknowledgment lags.

3. Multi-factorial Causes of Autism (“Humpty Dumpty Effect”)

• Dr. Kim expresses that autism’s etiology is rarely one factor—it’s an interplay of genetics (e.g., MTHFR mutations), maternal mitochondrial health, environmental toxins, vaccines, and stressors.
  • Humpty Dumpty Analogy:

    “It’s just that one particular stressor ended up having to create that mess and tip them over.” (23:02, Dr. Kim)

• Tylenol can be an exacerbating factor especially in a child with already low glutathione reserves or compromised detox pathways.
• Discussion of heartbreaking ASD severity: self-harm, nonverbal hurdles, and the emotional toll on families (20:42–21:02).
  • Flapping behaviors and gut inflammation are linked; dietary triggers like gluten may exacerbate symptoms.

4. Preconception and Parental Health

• Both men and women’s health before conception critically impact child outcomes.
  • Court shares her own detox preparations for future pregnancy (31:10).
  • Key Testing: Dr. Kim recommends a “total tox panel,” stool sampling, organic acid and nutritional testing for women (27:23). Men should address zinc and minimize DNA-methylation disruptors (marijuana, etc.).
• Lifestyle choices like birth control pills are flagged for causing long-term nutrient depletion (magnesium, B6, B12, etc.), potentially impacting fertility and pregnancy (33:05–35:15).

5. Folate vs. Folic Acid Controversy

• The host and guest critique the widespread use of synthetic folic acid in supplements and grain fortification, especially in light of common MTHFR polymorphisms that hinder conversion to active folate.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9. What we need to be taking is folate, which is the natural form...” – Courtney (35:58)

• Folate is necessary for glutathione production and methylation—deficiencies are found in autism cases.
• Modern prenatal supplements should contain usable folate forms: folinic acid, methylfolate, or quadrifolate, not folic acid (41:49).
  • BodyBio, Wenatal, and Needed are cited as preferred brands (41:54–42:18).

6. EMFs, Blue Light, and Environmental Resiliency

• Courtney and Dr. Kim offer practical blue light mitigation strategies: red/amber lights at night, blue light–blocking glasses, and minimizing device use before bed (43:37).
• Dr. Kim explains the biology of melanopsin receptors (in eyes and skin) and calls out the unique harm of LED lighting vs. incandescent bulbs (43:20–46:28).
  • Actionable Tip: Create a “safe area” with red or amber incandescent lights for nighttime relaxation and better sleep.
• EMFs and Bluetooth: Chronic exposure can impact cellular metabolism and insulin response; grounding (barefoot on the earth) is encouraged to offset these effects.

7. Simplifying Wellness: Dr. Kim’s Three Free Tips

(50:53–52:31)

1. Reset Circadian Rhythm: Wake up with sunrise; get immediate sunlight exposure to regulate stress and cellular health.
2. Eat Local/Seasonal Paleo Diet: Support regenerative/local food sources. Favor protein quality and minimal processing.
3. Prioritize Sleep & Nervous System Regulation: Optimal sleep and self-regulation resolve most chronic issues.

Quote:

“If you have to better self-regulate yourself nervous system wise, 99% of the issues you’re dealing with disappears.” – Dr. Kim (52:19)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Tylenol and OTC Use:

  “Apparently whoever oversees... what is going to be over the counter versus prescription actually came out later and said that they regret making it over the counter because of how much people are getting harmed by Tylenol thinking that it’s not dangerous at all.” – Courtney (10:17)

• On autism reversibility:

  “Autism spectrum can be reversible and can help in that. And I’ve seen kids who were non-verbal became verbal and then now they’re thriving...” – Dr. Kim (16:16)

• On environmental exposures:

  “You are self sustainable and live a better fulfilling life.” – Dr. Kim (49:51)

• On wellness overwhelm:

  “A lot of people get really overwhelmed when it comes to wellness and feel like they have to buy all these things and do all these things.” – Courtney (50:28)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Supplements & Cellular Detox: 04:26–07:26
• Tylenol, Glutathione & Autism: 09:01–16:25
• Behavioral ASD Symptoms & Gut Link: 20:42–21:02
• Humpty Dumpty Effect (multifactorial causation): 23:02–25:44
• Preconception Health (testing, dad’s role): 27:23–33:06
• Folic Acid vs. Folate: 35:58–42:18
• EMFs, Lighting, Blue Light: 43:20–46:28
• Three Free Wellness Tips: 50:53–52:31

Engagement and Further Resources

Dr. John Kim can be found at kimwellness.co and on Instagram @johnpharmd. Courtney recommends reaching out for personalized support—she and her husband are both clients.

Action Steps for Listeners

• Consider environmental and nutritional preconception prep for both partners
• Use whole-food folate, not synthetic folic acid
• Reduce blue light & EMF exposure, especially at night
• Focus on foundational, accessible wellness: sun, sleep, and real food

For those interested in the intersection of environmental medicine, nutrition, and family health, this episode delivers practical, evidence-driven strategies and a critical lens on mainstream protocols.