Autoimmune Alchemy
Join Dr. Micah Yu, a board-certified integrative rheumatologist, and Dr. Melissa Mondala, an integrative medicine and mental health expert, as they bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and soulful healing. In Autoimmune Alchemy, this husband-and-wife MD team share personal stories, expert insights, and powerful patient journeys to explore how autoimmune illness and chronic disease can be transformed through integrative medicine. From evidence-based science and integrative medicine to ancient healing wisdom and mindset practices, this podcast is your guide to whole-person health, from science to soul.
Episodes
Why You're Exhausted, Bloated & Anxious: A Naturopath Explains Burnout in Women
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, Dr. Stephanie Cowie — a naturopathic doctor and psychotherapist who blends functional medicine with mental health expertise to treat burnout, gut dysfunction, and hormone imbalances that leave women feeling dismissed and unheard. From burnout rooted in cortisol dysregulation to rage and irritability mistaken for a personality flaw instead of perimenopause, th
Chrononutrition for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmunity: Timing Your Meals Right
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Beth Biggee, integrative rheumatologist, to explore how circadian rhythm — not just diet — shapes autoimmune health. We break down when to eat, exercise, and take supplements based on your cortisol and melatonin cycles, plus how Ayurvedic dosha types and fasting research apply to rheumatoid arthritis.Chapters + Timestamps00:40 Meet Dr Beth Biggie01:59 Her Integ
Perimenopause Rage & Dark Thoughts: What 40-60% of Women Never Talk About
Dr. Rebecca Hertel, DO, MSCP — an osteopathic physician and certified menopause practitioner who founded a telemedicine practice helping women navigate midlife with real answers instead of dismissal.From estrogen fluctuations silently driving vertigo, tinnitus, and migraines to darkest-day thoughts that terrified her before she found real answers, this episode is packed with real clinical insight
East Plus West Medicine: How a Rheumatologist Uses Herbs & Acupuncture to Treat Autoimmune Disease
Dr. Yousef Zarbalian — "Dr. Z" — a board-certified rheumatologist who combines Chinese herbal medicine, medical acupuncture, and therapeutic fasting to treat autoimmune conditions that conventional medicine struggles to address.From a patient achieving 85% pain relief without pharmaceuticals to a hopeless fibromyalgia case turning around in just three weeks, this episode is packed with real clinic
How Healing Your Nervous System Reversed My MS Symptoms
Today's guest is the incredible Christine Ruch — holistic nutrition expert, nervous system healing coach, and a woman who walked away from everything — three thriving food businesses, a 30-year marriage, and life as she knew it — to find out why doing everything "right" still left her sick.Christine's personal journey from an MS and celiac diagnosis to closing her Boulder, Colorado restaurants, mo
Pediatric Rheumatologist Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Dr. Saimun Singla's Story
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I'm joined by my friend and integrative medicine colleague, Dr. Saimun Singla — a pediatric rheumatologist who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis only after becoming a full-fledged rheumatologist herself.We dig into the real differences between juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and adult RA, why even doctors miss their own diagnoses, and how she blends
Bloated After Every Meal? The Hidden Gut Condition Your Doctor Is Missing with Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad
In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad — integrative internal medicine physician, gut health specialist, SIBO expert, and founder of OC Integrative Medicine in Fullerton, California.Dr. Rajshree's personal journey from debilitating bloating, food intolerances, and daily nausea to healing her own SIBO naturally is nothing short of transformational.We go deep into wh
RA Remission Without Methotrexate or Biologics — A Real Patient Story That Will Blow Your Mind
What does it actually look like when a patient goes from swollen joints, X-ray erosions, and almost starting a biologic — to zero inflammation, no medications, and running on a treadmill again? In this episode, I sit down with my patient Jenny Heiss, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for 10 years. Her road to remission is one of the most remarkable I've seen in my clinic, and I wanted her to
MCAS: Why Doctors Keep Missing This Diagnosis — And How to Finally Get Answers
If you've been bouncing between specialists with no answers, this episode might be the missing piece.Dr. Melissa Mondala and I break down everything you need to know about Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — one of the most underdiagnosed conditions we see at our clinic.From head-to-toe symptoms and tricky lab work to root causes like long COVID, mold, Lyme disease, and trauma, we cover it all
Do Fermented Foods beat High Fiber Foods?
Today's guest is the incredible Dr. Vincent Pedre — integrative physician, Medical Director of Pedre Integrative Health in NYC, founder of Happy Gut Health, and bestselling author of Happy Gut and The Gut Smart Protocol.Dr. Vincent's personal journey from 20+ rounds of childhood antibiotics to healing his own IBS, eczema, and leaky gut is nothing short of transformational.In this episode, we go de
PANDAS in Kids: The Infection-Driven Brain Disorder Doctors Are Finally Talking About | Dr. Scott Antoine
SHOW NOTESOn this episode of AutoImmune Alchemy, I sit down with Dr. Scott Antoine — triple board-certified integrative and functional medicine physician, Amazon bestselling author, and one of the leading experts in PANS and PANDAS.His journey into this field began when his own daughter Emma was suddenly struck with severe OCD, defiance, and behavioral changes at age 12 — only to recover dramatica
Perimenopause Warning Signs Doctors Miss & What to Do Instead
In this powerful episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with Dr. Jila Senemar — OB/GYN, longevity physician, and founder of the Miami Menopause Collective. With 20 years of experience, Dr. Jila is rewriting the narrative around menopause — from fear to freedom.We cover everything from early perimenopause signs and comprehensive lab testing to bioidentical hormones, PCOS, microplastics, and why
Natural Testosterone Boosters That Actually Work—Dr. Micah Howard on Herbs, Hormones & Men's Health
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with my fellow Andrew Weil Center cohort member and dear friend, Dr. Micah Howard — integrative physician, hypnotherapist, and Alabama's trailblazer in root-cause medicine.We dive DEEP into the testosterone conversation most doctors are getting wrong. Is TRT always necessary? What's really driving the hormonal crash in men? And what can herbs, life
Former CrossFit Pro: How Overtraining Destroyed Metabolism & Hormones
Today I have Dr. Becca Chilczenkowski, board-certified practitioner and hormone specialist who was a top 100 CrossFitter yet gained 15 pounds in one month and lost her cycle for three years from overtraining. Genetic testing revealed her inflammatory system turns on easily and struggles to turn off, making extreme exercise backfire. Becca reveals why detoxification—liver, gallbladder, bile support
Autoimmune Protocol Diet: How to Start the AIP Diet The Right Way
Today I have Mickey Trescott, nutrition professional and AIP pioneer who trained 1,000+ providers worldwide. Mickey shares her journey from bedridden with Hashimoto's/Celiac to creating the AIP movement, and reveals groundbreaking research: 73% IBD patients achieved clinical remission in 6 weeks, Hashimoto's patients lost 8 pounds eating the same 2,000 calories through reduced inflammation, and 29
Stop Dieting in Perimenopause: Why Calorie Restriction Worsens Cortisol & Autoimmune
Today I'm honored to have Dr. Salome Masghati, OB-GYN and pelvic surgeon who transitioned from operating rooms to preventative medicine.Dr. Salome reveals why autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's, lupus, and RA spike during perimenopause—estrogen is anti-inflammatory, and when it declines, cortisol dysregulates, inflammation rises, and autoimmune flares.She explains why calorie restriction backfir
Environmental Toxins and Forever Chemicals: What's Really Destroying Your Health?
Today I sit down with Lara Adler, environmental health educator with 14+ years experience helping health professionals understand how environmental chemicals impact chronic health conditions.Lara explains how environmental toxins—from air pollution to endocrine disruptors like BPA and phthalates—contribute to autoimmune disease, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic illness over decades of exposure.
Perimenopause, PCOS & Progesterone: Hormone Replacement Therapy Explained
Show NotesIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tara Scott, a trailblazer in integrative hormone medicine with 23 years of experience, to reveal why birth control pills are NOT hormone replacement therapy and how bioidentical hormones transform women's health from teens to post-menopause.Dr. Scott explains when to test hormones (even on birth control or IUDs), why progesterone drops first in late 3
Mold Illness & Mycotoxins: Complete Recovery Protocol from Naturopathic Expert
Dr. Jill Crista, mold illness expert, reveals her "Peel the Orange" 5-step recovery method: avoidance, fundamentals, protecting organs, repair, microbiome reset. She explains how mycotoxins stored in mitochondria cause chronic fatigue, why 50% recover just by leaving moldy environments, and her detox protocol using bioflavonoids (quercetin, astaxanthin), DHA (3-10g/day), and food-based binders (al
ADHD, PANS, PANDAS & Autoimmune: Nervous System Dysregulation Explained
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, pioneering mental health expert and author of "It's Gonna Be OK," to reveal how chronic compounded stress drives nervous system dysregulation and fuels the rise of autoimmune disease.Dr. Roseann explains why "shopping cart diagnoses"—collecting labels without treating the root cause—keep patients stuck, and how regulating the nervous syst
5G, WiFi & Smart Meters: Protecting Your Health from EMF Radiation
Show NotesDr. Magda Havas, environmental toxicologist and Professor Emerita at Trent University, reveals how EMFs from 5G, WiFi, smart meters, and dirty electricity trigger chronic illness. Her groundbreaking research shows MS patients dramatically improved after installing dirty electricity filters, diabetics experienced blood sugar spikes from EMF exposure within 20 minutes, and voltage-gated ca
Traditional Chinese Medicine Secrets: Acupressure Points That Calm Autoimmune Flares
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nam Lee, licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and author, to explore how Traditional Chinese Medicine can regulate the immune system, reduce chronic inflammation, and restore energy for autoimmune patients. Dr. Lee shares accessible acupressure techniques anyone can do at home—including Large Intestine 11 for autoimmune skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema,
Rheumatoid Arthritis Remission: Off All Meds in 2 Years Without Biologics
Show NotesAmy Suto, former Hollywood TV writer and bestselling author, shares her incredible RA remission journey—going from debilitating joint pain and hair loss on methotrexate to being completely medication-free for 2 years. She reveals how she refused injectable biologics, discovered American food triggered flares while Italian pizza didn't, and combined Rinvoq with glutathione patches, vitami
Colorectal Cancer Rising in Young Adults: Early Warning Signs & Prevention
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amir Esparza, double board-certified colorectal surgeon at City of Hope, to discuss the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in patients under 45—becoming the #1 cause of cancer death in young adults.Dr. Esparza reveals warning signs often dismissed as hemorrhoids, explains why 30% of rectal cancer patients can avoid surgery through chemo/radiation alone, and sha
The Truth About Bone Density Tests & Fracture Risk | Dr. John Neustadt Explains
I sat down with Dr. John Neustadt, naturopathic doctor and #1 Amazon bestselling author, reveals why bone density tests only predict 44% of fractures and how MK-4 vitamin K2 reduces fractures 70%—better than Fosamax.We discuss shocking statistics: 1 in 19 women on SSRIs break bones, acid blockers strip minerals causing hip fractures, and strontium causes blood clots. Dr. Neustadt explains the Medi
IBS, SIBO, and Autoimmune Disease: Healing the Gut First
In this episode, I sit down with James and Dahlia Marin, integrative dietitians specializing in SIBO and IBS, to explore how food relationships shape healing and why all autoimmunity begins in the gut.Dahlia shares her Hashimoto's journey—bringing antibodies from over 3,500 (off the charts) to nearly normal using food as medicine. We discuss how gut inflammation progresses to autoimmune diseases,
She Survived Cancer — Here’s What Actually Helped Her Heal
Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang, a board-certified integrative pulmonologist, shares her journey of being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at age 31 during pulmonary critical care fellowship.She combined clinical trials with acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and Reiki to survive and thrive through five months of chemotherapy and three surgeries.We explore how mindfulness (6,000+ published
Healing Trauma to Heal Autoimmune Disease: HSPs, Narcissistic Relationships & Ketamine-Assisted Therapy with Maria Lloyd
In this episode, I sit down with Maria Lloyd, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma-informed therapy and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, to explore how unresolved trauma lives in the body and manifests as autoimmune disease, particularly in highly sensitive people (HSPs) who make up 20% of the population.Maria shares her personal journey with her son's gut issues and mol
IBS Is Not Psychological: Gut-Brain Disease
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist who directs the Gut-Brain Research Lab at Beth Israel, to reveal why IBS isn't "all in your head" and how specialized antibody testing can uncover autoimmune attacks on gut neurons. We explore the IBS-fibromyalgia overlap, why one in three people develop IBS after infections, and her groundbreaking research
Why 80% of Autoimmune Disease Affects Women
In this episode, Dr. Melissa Mondala sits down with Dr. Felice Gersh, an integrative OB-GYN, to explore why 80% of all autoimmune patients are women and how our two X chromosomes create a more robust immune system that can become overactive when hormones become imbalanced.Dr. Gersh explains the fascinating connection between leaky gut, hormonal dysfunction (PCOS, amenorrhea, menopause), and autoim
Mold Illness Explained: Hidden Exposure & Health Effects
In this episode, I sat down with John Banta, a retired certified industrial hygienist with over 35 years of experience, who discovered mold was destroying his wife's health after she recovered completely during a camping trip, leading him to dedicate his career to becoming a "mold doctor" for buildings.John reveals how 1 in 5 brand new homes has mold before occupation, why killing mold actually ma
Ketamine Therapy for Autoimmune Depression, Anxiety & Pain
In this episode, Dr. Melissa Mondala sits down with Dr. Sam Ko, board-certified emergency medicine physician and medical director at Reset Ketamine, to explore how ketamine therapy is helping the 50-70% of autoimmune patients struggling with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.They discuss how ketamine resets hypersensitized pain receptors, reduces inflammatory markers like TNF-alpha and IL-6, i
The Overlooked Link Between Autoimmune Disease and Kidney Health Part 2: Dr. Micah Yu with Dr. Robin Rose
In Part 2 of this Autoimmune Alchemy conversation, Dr. Micah Yu is joined again by Dr. Robin Rose — family medicine physician, peptide specialist, and kidney health educator — to move from awareness into actionable healing strategies.This episode dives deep into peptides, bio-regulator therapies, and lifestyle foundations that support kidney repair in autoimmune disease. Dr. Rose explains how auto
The Overlooked Link Between Autoimmune Disease and Kidney Health Part 1: Dr. Micah Yu with Dr. Robin Rose
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, Dr. Micah Yu sits down with Dr. Robin Rose — family medicine physician, peptide specialist, and kidney health educator — to uncover a critical but often overlooked topic: early kidney decline in autoimmune disease.Dr. Rose shares her powerful personal story of surviving kidney cancer, losing a kidney, and reversing what doctors told her was irreversible kidne
Food Sensitivities, Inflammation & Autoimmunity: Dr. Melissa Mondala with Dr. Peter Kan
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, Dr. Melissa Mondala welcomes Dr. Peter Kan — board-certified chiropractor, functional neurologist, and functional medicine expert known for bridging the gut–brain–immune connection. Dr. Kan works extensively with Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren’s, mixed connective tissue disease, MS, and patients with “autoimmune of unknown origin.” In this
Sjögren’s, Seronegative Cases & New Breakthrough Treatments: Dr. Micah Yu with Dr. Kara Wada
Welcome to another episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, Dr. Micah Yu sits down with Dr. Kara Wada — board-certified allergist, immunologist, lifestyle medicine physician, Sjögren’s patient, and founder of The Immune Confidence Institute. Dr. Wada opens up about her long diagnostic journey with Sjögren’s, why so many patients are dismissed or misdiagnosed, and how clinical “gray zone” diseases like seron
Unraveling Complex Chronic Illnesses: Mold, Lyme, Mast Cell Activation & More, with Dr. Kelly McCann
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, host Dr. Micah Yu speaks with Dr. Kelly McCann, an expert in internal medicine, functional medicine, and environmental medicine, about chronic illnesses and their root causes. Dr. McCann discusses the concept of total toxic load and how various factors such as mold exposure, chronic infections like Lyme disease, and environmental toxins contribute to complex
Perimenopause, Autoimmunity, and the Gut–Brain Link: Dr. Jennifer Roelands with Dr. Melissa Mondala
Women often first meet autoimmunity during hormonal transitions like perimenopause and menopause. In this conversation, in this episode, Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Jennifer Roelands (OB-GYN, integrative and functional medicine) unpack how shifting estrogen and progesterone interact with the immune system, why the gut–brain–hormone axis matters for mood and symptoms, and what to do first if you ar
Energy Medicine for Autoimmunity? Integrative Rheumatologist Dr. Nisha Manek Explains
In this episode, Dr. Micah Yu welcomes Dr. Nisha Manek, integrative rheumatologist and author of Bridging Science and Spirit, for a wide-ranging conversation on where medicine is headed and why energy, the biofield, and conscious self-care belong beside conventional treatment. Hear how immune dysregulation shows up across the body, why drugs alone rarely create remission, and how subtle-energ
When Infections Inflame the Mind: Lyme, MS, and the Gut–Brain Connection
When Infections Inflame the Mind: Lyme, MS, and the Gut–Brain ConnectionDr. Darin Ingels connects the dots between chronic infections (like Lyme), the gut–brain axis, and neuroinflammation—explaining “leaky gut/leaky brain,” vagus-nerve signaling, mast-cell activation, and why mood, brain fog, and sleep often shift with immune activity. He shares practical supports—from joy practices to potent, ta
Reprogramming the Immune System: Dr. Ty Vincent on LDI (Low Dose Immunotherapy) and Autoimmune Healing
SummaryIn this in-depth interview, Dr. Micah Yu speaks with Dr. Ty Vincent, founder of Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI), about his groundbreaking work in retraining the immune system. Dr. Vincent shares his journey from conventional medicine to developing LDI, explains how it differs from traditional allergy therapies and homeopathy, and reveals the remarkable outcomes he’s seen in patients with autoi
CIRS & Autoimmunity: Untangling the Hidden Triggers, with Jenny Johnson, PT
CIRS, Mold, and Autoimmunity: Getting Off the Inflammation Roller CoasterThis is an encouraging and educational interview for anyone navigating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) Dr. Melissa Mondala sits down with Jenny Johnson, a CIRS guide and community-builder, to unpack how biotoxin exposure from water-damaged buildings, mold, bacteria, and Lyme can drive chronic inflammation t
The Hidden Link: Borrelia Infections & Autoimmunity (Lyme, MS, ALS, Dementia, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
In this groundbreaking conversation, Dr. Micah Yu speaks with retired rheumatologist Dr. Alfred Miller, who spent 40 years in practice and training at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Miller shares his personal journey of discovering how Borrelia infections (often mislabeled as Lyme disease) may underlie many neurological and autoimmune conditions. From misdiagnosis in academic institutions to overlooked test
Toxic Load, Autoimmunity & Everyday Swaps with Dr. Aly Cohen
Description: Board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Aly Cohen joins Dr. Micah Yu to connect environmental exposures with inflammation and autoimmunity, then turn that science into practical, low-stress habits. From plastics and bisphenols to water, air, food, and personal-care choices, Dr. Cohen shares a simple framework to cut risk without overwhelm, and how she integrates these steps into rheumatolo
Mental Health, Depression & Autoimmune Disease: The Vagus Nerve Connection
In this episode, Dr. Micah Yu and Dr. Melissa Mondala discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of autoimmune disease: mental health. With depression and anxiety affecting more than half of all autoimmune patients, the conversation explores the deep connection between the nervous system, trauma, inflammation, and long-term healing.Key Points:One in two people with autoimmune disease also has depr
The Rising Epidemic of Autoimmune
In this episode, Dr. Micah Yu and Dr. Melissa Mondala explore the rising epidemic of autoimmune disease. They unpack the root causes, early warning signs, and the whole-body approach needed for healing. They share personal clinical experiences, including a powerful success story using an anti-inflammatory protocol, and preview upcoming discussions on mental health, trauma, and psycho-neuro-immunol
Welcome to the Journey
“Our Story: Healing Autoimmunity, Medicine, and Each Other”Here are the highlights from our very first episode! The origin story behind the podcast and why it’s deeply personalDr. Micah Yu shares his journey with autoimmune arthritis, undiagnosed pain, and years of suffering through medical school and residencyHow nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle were missing pieces in traditional medical trainingT
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