Autoimmunity rates are soaring, but is the conventional medical approach keeping up? Dr. Akil, a Harvard-trained MD and integrative medicine pioneer, joins Erin to break down why the autoimmune epidemic is accelerating (especially among children), and how most patients are being underserved by oversimplified advice or symptom-suppressing drugs.

Instead of masking symptoms, Dr. Akil shares his “T.I.G.E.R Protocol” - a comprehensive, actionable system to address the real root causes of autoimmunity, from toxins and infections to gut health, diet, and rest.

In This Episode:

• Surprising lab clues (like ANA antibodies) that can appear before autoimmune symptoms surface
• Dr. Akil's 5-step protocol that addresses the root causes of autoimmunity beyond just "healing the gut."
• Why stool pH is a hidden player in gut health, and how to create an environment that makes your body inhospitable to pathogens
• How sauna therapy and eating more broccoli sprouts can rapidly lower your toxic burden
• The underestimated power of mind-body practices to break the cycle of fear, stress, and symptom hyper-vigilance in autoimmune healing

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/361-autoimmunity

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

What's all the buzz about creatine? Should you be taking it? What benefits does it have, especially for women?

Erin welcomes back Angelo Keely, CEO of Kion, to break down the myths, facts, and powerful research behind creatine’s benefits. From muscle performance and body composition to cognitive health and hormone-related brain fog, you’ll learn why this widely studied supplement is gaining a ton of traction among women of all ages.

Is creatine actually safe? What about kidney concerns, bloating, or digestive issues? And how does it stack up against (or work alongside) amino acids?

Erin and Angelo tackle the big questions and will empower you to make informed decisions so you can decide if creatine fits into YOUR daily routine.

In This Episode:

• Why creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders (and why women typically see strength benefits without “bulking up”)
• How creatine supports cognitive function, especially during pivotal hormonal shifts like perimenopause and menopause
• The truth about bloating, kidney health, and other commonly misunderstood side effects
• How to determine your ideal dosage based on age, weight, and goals, and how to ease in if you’re sensitive
• The key differences between creatine and amino acids, and why they work better together

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/360-creatine

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

If you’ve ever felt like your hormones are off, this episode is for you. Erin is joined by functional dietitian Nicole Antes, MS, RDN, to unpack a MASSIVELY overlooked topic in hormone health: the liver.

Together, they explore how nutrient deficiencies, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, and even your cookware may be burdening your detox pathways and leading to hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance.

Nicole shares real-world client cases and practical strategies to support your liver, gut, and overall detoxification without expensive fads or restrictive cleanses. You’ll learn why liver support goes far beyond supplements, what your poop says about your hormone health, and how simple lifestyle swaps can make a profound impact.

This is the episode that connects the dots between gut, liver, and hormones in a way that finally makes sense.

In This Episode:

• Why non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is rising, even in seemingly healthy women
• How daily exposure to “low dose” endocrine disruptors like fragrance can disrupt hormone function
• The gut-liver-hormone triangle - and why pooping daily is essential for estrogen detox
• Nicole’s favorite supplements to support methylation and reduce estrogen dominance symptoms
• Smart, doable swaps for non-toxic living, from castor oil packs to cookware and water filters

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/359-liver-health

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

If you’re a high-achieving woman who's ever felt like your ambition was leading you straight into burnout, you’re not alone. In this episode, Erin dives deep into the relationship between ambition, burnout, and hormone health.

Guess what? It’s not ambition itself that's the problem, but ambition without rest, support, and self-awareness. She unpacks the hidden patterns of perfectionism, codependency, and over-functioning that so often drive depletion and hormonal dysfunction in high performers, and shares how your mindset and relational patterns may be silently impacting your body’s ability to thrive.

You'll learn why common signs like weight loss resistance, thyroid sluggishness, low cortisol, and persistent fatigue aren’t just “part of the hustle” but major signals from your body that it’s time to make a change. Erin also shares her own story of reaching a tipping point and how she transformed both her business and her well-being.

In This Episode:

• Ambition alone ISN’T what leads to burnout - what actually is causing high performers to crash?
• How perfectionism and perceived lack sabotage hormone health without you even realizing it
• The majorly overlooked signs in hormone labs that reveal your body is running on empty
• Erin’s realization about over-functioning and codependency that completely shifted her personal and professional life
• The critical role of community and support systems for ambitious women
• Why isolation may be your biggest hidden stressor

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/358-burnout

Perimenopause is trending - but are we oversimplifying a complex hormonal transition? In this episode, Erin unpacks the rising buzz around perimenopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She shares why HRT isn’t always the magic bullet it’s hyped up to be and explores how symptoms like mood changes, fatigue, brain fog, and cycle irregularities may actually stem from deeper root causes.

From thyroid dysfunction to estrogen clearance issues, Erin dives into the hormonal nuances that can actually “mimic” perimenopause and why lab testing and nervous system support might be more important than rushing into prescriptions. You’ll also hear why symptoms are your body’s way of communicating and how a functional, whole-human approach could be what you've been missing.

In This Episode:

• Erin’s experience getting “Instagram-diagnosed” with perimenopause (and what she found in her lab tests instead)
• HRT is unfairly villainized thanks to outdated studies - here’s what the research says now
• Non-hormonal imbalances that can mimic perimenopausal symptoms (like low thyroid and gut dysbiosis)
• How stress, cortisol, and nervous system regulation are key to hormone balance at ANY age
• Why it’s important to “self-regulate before you replace” as a guiding philosophy

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/357-perimenopause

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

Ep | 356

Feeling off but your doctor says your labs are “normal”? This episode breaks down the often-overlooked world of thyroid dysfunction and why so many people (especially women!) are walking around with symptoms they can’t explain. Erin dives deep into what’s really going on with your thyroid, the symptoms that often get brushed off, and why the conventional model of care may not be giving you the full picture.

From stress and nutrient depletion to liver health, toxins, and hormone imbalances, Erin explains the root causes that could be holding your thyroid hostage and what to do about it.

You’ll learn what a full thyroid panel should include, why postpartum women are particularly vulnerable, and how a whole-body, functional approach (including energy medicine) is often the missing piece in healing.

In This Episode:

• Why there is so much misinformation right now around female hormones
• The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism
• T3 is the key in thyroid health and it often goes untested!
• How other hormones impact thyroid health and the importance of a comprehensive hormone analysis
• The energy anatomy of the thyroid and the throat chakra connection

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/356-thyroid-health

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

Erin’s FREE Hormone Food Guide

If you've ever wondered how to truly support your hormones without falling into diet culture traps, Erin is breaking down the three “big boulders” of hormone-supportive nutrition: eating enough food, prioritizing protein, and adding variety to your meals. She explains why a caloric deficit isn’t always the answer (especially for women!) and how being well-fed sends powerful safety signals to the body that support ovulation, progesterone production, and overall hormonal balance.

You’ll also learn why balanced blood sugar is non-negotiable, how modern weight loss trends like Ozempic and other GLP-1 peptides could have unintended consequences, and how strength training can buffer against hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause. Plus, she shares her free downloadable Hormone Food Guide to help you put it all into practice.

In This Episode:

• Why hormones are often the effect, rather than the root cause of health issues
• How food influences blood sugar, liver health, and inflammation
• Erin introduces "Your Hormone Revival," a program designed to simplify hormone health and address root causes with a holistic approach
• The most crucial nutrients for hormonal balance, including B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium
• How consuming enough food and maintaining balanced meals signals safety to your body
• The long-term health consequences women face, and the rise of eating disorders from GLP1 usage

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/355-hormone-health

Get the FREE Hormone Balance Food Guide

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

If you’ve ever felt frustrated or confused about your fertility journey, you’re not alone. In this episode, Erin is talking to our lead practitioner Rachel Heintz, MS, RDN, to break down the key factors that influence female fertility beyond just age and ovulation. They dives into how stress, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies can all play a role, and what you can do to optimize your chances of conception naturally.

You’ll also learn the biggest misconceptions about fertility, how to recognize the signs your body is sending, and practical strategies to support hormone balance. Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or just want to better understand your reproductive health, this episode is packed with insights.

In This Episode:

• The importance of hormones in female fertility
• How stress and lack of ovulation can affect the menstrual cycle
• The role of melatonin as a powerful antioxidant that protects egg cells
• The impact of gut health on hormonal balance and fertility
• Rachel shares her favorite supplements for supporting mitochondrial health, like CoQ10 and NAC
• A comprehensive starting point for foundational labs and lifestyle changes to support your fertility journey

FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO:

https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/354-fertility-journey

Check out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram