Cover art for a podcast titled 'A Functional Approach' featuring Dr. Jim Chialtas, DACM, with a smiling older man wearing a stethoscope and dark gray shirt, against a beige background with a medicine-related pattern.

Blog & Podcast

Welcome to my blog, where you’ll find articles and links to my podcast episodes.

If you’d like to discuss your health concerns or ask some specific questions, please contact me and we can get started on your journey to balanced health!

“I’m leaking from where, now?”

“I’m leaking from where, now?”

In this episode we will discuss Intestinal Permeability... aka. "Leaky Gut." We will detail the physiology of Leaky Gut and some very common mechanisms which promote the development of the condition, and the inflammatory cascades which can create a viscous cycle that drives itself over time.

Listen and learn how a breech in the gut barrier can have so much to do with autoimmunity, food sensitivity, joint pain, brain fog, and much much more.

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The Cholesterol Misconception

The Cholesterol Misconception

In this episode we discuss some basic fundamentals around cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Is LDL Cholesterol the only thing that matters? I think not. There is more to the story. To get started we will talk about vascular inflammation, LDL particle size and number, a few of the other possible contributing factors in cardiovascular disease, and some easy to obtain laboratory testing which can expand on the typical "Lipid Panel" normally ordered.

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Introduction to Autoimmunity

Introduction to Autoimmunity

In this 22nd episode, I will discuss some of the basic fundamentals of autoimmunity. We will explore the different stages of autoimmune expression, potential triggers, and how it might look before a full-blown diagnosis is given.

This is the first episode in a series of autoimmune episodes. Coming episodes will explore more about therapies/interventions, and specific autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmunity is an extremely common condition effecting many millions of people in this country. It is rare in fact not to have someone in your family with an autoimmune disease. That makes this episode, and mini-series on autoimmunity an important one to hear.

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Is it the Gluten or the Sprays?

Is it the Gluten or the Sprays?

The discussion around gluten is certainly a big one. This podcast touches on just a few important concepts regarding gluten sensitivity, gut barrier integrity, processing of grain in the United States, and some literature suggesting that Celiac Disease is clearly on the rise! This is the first of many podcast episodes on gluten sensitivity reactions and how they can impact your health.

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Let's Talk Immune System, Plus New COVID-19 Antibody Test Available
Getting Tested, Proactive Healthcare Jim Chialtas, DACM Getting Tested, Proactive Healthcare Jim Chialtas, DACM

Let's Talk Immune System, Plus New COVID-19 Antibody Test Available

I find the approach of simply sheltering in place to be short sighted and not giving justice to the abundant literature that is already published around optimizing immune function. Remember, sheltering in place only helps people avoid exposure to the virus. It does nothing to help a person have a more robust immune response, and it is a healthy and robust immune response that we want to not only fight off this virus if infected, but to provide a person and the community at large a natural immunity to the virus.

Also - I now offer Covid-19 antibody testing. Find out if you’ve already been exposed and have immunity!

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Brain on Fire: Neuroinflammation and What You Can Do
Chronic conditions Jim Chialtas, DACM Chronic conditions Jim Chialtas, DACM

Brain on Fire: Neuroinflammation and What You Can Do

If you’ve ever had a day where nothing seems to go well, or a day where you just aren’t able to do the things that you otherwise accomplish, this is a day where you are living with impaired brain function. It could be that you have neuroinflammation, or to be more picturesque, a brain on fire. Please read on and I will explain four possible different scenarios that might ring true for what you could be experiencing every day.

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My Trip into Hellhole Canyon – A piece about goal setting for ultimate success
Proactive Healthcare, Personal Stories Jim Chialtas, DACM Proactive Healthcare, Personal Stories Jim Chialtas, DACM

My Trip into Hellhole Canyon – A piece about goal setting for ultimate success

Goal setting can be self-sabotaging if not done carefully and mindfully.  My much-needed solo trip to the desert ended up filled with valuable lessons about that. I hope my story sheds some light on this very important concept.  It easily applies to those of you looking to set healthcare goals or major life changes. 

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The Autoimmune-Gut Connection
Autoimmunity Jim Chialtas, DACM Autoimmunity Jim Chialtas, DACM

The Autoimmune-Gut Connection

It is important to understand one major concept regarding autoimmunity: no one is born with an autoimmune disease. People are often born with a genetic propensity to develop a disease, but it tends to be factors in that person’s life that turn autoimmunity on. In this article, I explain more about autoimmunity, what impacts this unfortunate condition, and what can be done to ease the symptoms.

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Let's Talk about Sex (Hormones)! New Podcast Interview with Vegan Danielle
Podcasts and interviews, Getting Tested Jim Chialtas, DACM Podcasts and interviews, Getting Tested Jim Chialtas, DACM

Let's Talk about Sex (Hormones)! New Podcast Interview with Vegan Danielle

I was recently asked back as a returning guest on Vegan Danielle’s podcast to discuss sex hormones and the underlying conditions that can impact hormone activity.  If you are having concerns about things like hot flashes, menstrual irregularity, low libido, depression, or erectile dysfunction to name a few, have a listen to this podcast to get some of your questions answered. 

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Give Your Body a Much Needed Break with a Group Detox!
Jim Chialtas, DACM Jim Chialtas, DACM

Give Your Body a Much Needed Break with a Group Detox!

Our bodies are exposed to an onslaught of chemicals in our environment - through food, daily activities, and even the air we breathe. These toxic burdens build up and cause stress to our systems. We can give our bodies a much-needed break by detoxifying. Dr. Liu and I provide 4-week Group Detox Programs to do just that! Learn more and sign up to be notified of the next one coming up!

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Why Does Food Hate Us So Much?
Autoimmunity Jim Chialtas, DACM Autoimmunity Jim Chialtas, DACM

Why Does Food Hate Us So Much?

Why do so many of us struggle with how we feel after eating?  Many people feel bloated, get indigestion, or get diarrhea after eating, and can't figure out why.  There are many possible reasons for this, and things we can do about it!  Get some insight on what's going on and some quick tips to help.

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Move the Qi, Relieve the Pain
Acupuncture Jim Chialtas, DACM Acupuncture Jim Chialtas, DACM

Move the Qi, Relieve the Pain

The most common reason for back pain, or pain anywhere in the body, is stagnation of Qi along the meridian system. There is an old Chinese saying which is also the motto of my acupuncture school, “Where there is stagnation there is pain… And where there is pain there will be stagnation.” (In Chinese pinyin: Pu tong su tong… Tong su pu tong.)

 

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Autoimmunity: Early Detection Can Change Your Future
Autoimmunity Jim Chialtas, DACM Autoimmunity Jim Chialtas, DACM

Autoimmunity: Early Detection Can Change Your Future

There is a good chance you will find some degree of autoimmunity in any random person off the street - one out of five Americans currently suffer from autoimmune disease.  Their immune system loses the ability to determine self tissues from non-self tissues and launch deliberate attacks against them.  This can come in many forms such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. Some simple tests can help you stop or slow the progression.  If you have concerns about your status or have a family history of autoimmune disease, this article is for you!

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