All Things Gut Health with Dr. Buddy Touchinsky

• How a Chiropractor Became the “Gut Guy”: Dr. Buddy shares how his focus shifted from treating pain to addressing root causes like gut health after reading Integrative Orthopedics by Alex Vasquez. This led to his deep dive into chronic illness and functional medicine.
• Understanding Leaky Gut and Dysbiosis: The episode breaks down intestinal permeability (aka “leaky gut”), what dysbiosis means, and how both can exist even when digestive symptoms are absent—showing up instead as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, or skin issues.
• Top Contributors to Leaky Gut: They outline five key factors—chronic stress, poor diet, infections (bacteria, parasites, mold), chemical exposures (like glyphosate), and medications (NSAIDs, antibiotics, acid blockers)—and explain how each damages the gut lining.
• Gut-Brain Axis and LPS: The discussion covers how gut imbalances and bacterial byproducts like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can fuel systemic inflammation and neurological symptoms, including depression, memory loss, and brain fog.
• What Testing Can and Can’t Tell You: Stool tests, bloodwork, and food sensitivity panels are covered with nuance—highlighting what’s worth the investment, what’s often overused, and why customized interpretation (not automated protocols) matters.

Waking up already dreading the day, struggling to think clearly, forgetting words mid-sentence—these are just a few of the frustrating realities so many people face after a concussion. If you’ve tried rest, medications, physical therapy, or chiropractic care but still feel mentally foggy, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.

In this episode, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman—founder of Peak Brain and Body and known by many as “The Brain Guy”—dives into why traditional concussion treatments often fall short and what your brain may still need in order to truly heal. We’ll talk about the hidden factors behind lingering brain fog, the importance of advanced neurological testing, and how tools like nutrition, sleep optimization, cognitive exercises, and peptide therapy can support real recovery.

Whether you’re months—or even years—post-concussion, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical steps to help you get your life back.

Key Takeaways:

• Functional neurology focuses on brain function rather than structural damage and provides solutions where traditional neurology falls short.
• Eye movements, balance testing, and cognitive assessments are essential in diagnosing neurological dysfunction.
• Neuroplasticity is at the core of functional neurology, allowing the brain to rewire and heal.
• A true functional neurology approach integrates rehabilitation, functional medicine, and lifestyle interventions.
• Not all functional neurology providers are equal—expertise, training, and diagnostic tools matter.

If you’ve been struggling with chronic fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, post-concussion symptoms, or other neurological issues, this episode is a must-listen to understand why functional neurology may be the missing piece in your recovery.

To check out the blog: https://peakbrainandbody.com/functional-neurology-tampa/

In this insightful episode, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman sits down with Dr. Lorraine Maita, an expert in integrative and anti-aging medicine, to discuss the profound impact of hormones on brain health. They dive deep into how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are not just about sex and reproduction but play essential roles in cognitive function, mood regulation, memory, and overall neurological health.

Key Takeaways:
✅ Hormones Are Brain Regulators – Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA function as neurosteroids, directly influencing mood, cognition, memory, and mental sharpness.
✅ Menopause & Brain Fog – Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause can lead to memory lapses, mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
✅ The Testosterone Factor – Women actually have more testosterone than estrogen, and low testosterone in both men and women is linked to anxiety, depression, and reduced confidence.
✅ Testing Matters – Many healthcare providers prescribe hormones without proper testing. Blood, saliva, and urine tests are necessary to accurately assess and adjust hormone levels.
✅ Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones – Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), including estradiol patches and micronized progesterone, is safer and more effective than synthetic alternatives.
✅ Your Lifestyle Impacts Your Hormones – Diet, stress, exercise, and environmental toxins all play a role in hormone balance and brain health.

Dr. Maita also debunks common hormone myths, including the misconception that estrogen causes breast cancer and shares how proper hormone management can reduce risks of dementia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

In this episode I dive into chronic fatigue syndrome and functional medicine from different angles.

1. CFS is a syndrome, not a disease, involving neurological, immune, and gut dysfunction, often leaving patients feeling dismissed.
2. Root causes include infections (Epstein-Barr, Lyme, mold), gut dysbiosis, and neuroinflammation, with immune weakness playing a key role.
3. Traditional medicine only manages symptoms with medications, failing to address the underlying issues, leaving many without lasting relief.
4. Functional medicine targets root causes, using personalized lab testing and treatments rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
5. Functional neurology is crucial for CFS recovery, assessing brain function and connectivity to ensure a more effective treatment plan.

You may read our entire blog post version of this episode: https://peakbrainandbody.com/functional-medicine-approach-to-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

Genetic Blueprint for Sustainable Weight Loss with Dr. Phyllis

Key Takeaways:

• Genetics & Weight Loss Resistance
  Dr. Phyllis shares how genetic testing helped her lose 100 pounds and how understanding genetic variations can reveal why traditional diets fail for some people.
• 12 Genetic Avatars & Personalized Strategies
  She explains her concept of “genetic avatars,” including cortisol carriers and dopamine drivers, and how tailoring diet, exercise, and lifestyle based on genetics leads to sustainable weight loss.
• Beyond "Calories In, Calories Out"
  Genetic factors like reduced thermogenesis, inflammation, and fat storage efficiency play a major role in weight struggles, debunking the idea that willpower alone determines success.
• Brain-Body Connection & Emotional Eating
  Stress, gut health, and neurotransmitters like dopamine significantly impact cravings, metabolism, and weight regulation, making mindset shifts essential for long-term results.
• Fasting, Hormones & Long-Term Success
  Dr. Phyllis discusses the pros and cons of fasting, the impact of stress hormones on weight loss, and how sustainable changes—not quick fixes—are key to achieving and maintaining results.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Band-Aid Diagnosis or Root Cause Issue?

1. Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) – Dr. Zimmerman breaks down the diagnostic criteria for CFS, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, including persistent fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep.
2. Overlapping Symptoms & Misdiagnosis Risks – Many conditions share symptoms with CFS, such as autoimmune disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and neurological issues. Without proper testing, a CFS diagnosis may be a "band-aid" rather than addressing the true cause.
3. Key Systems to Evaluate – Dr. Z emphasizes the importance of examining three major systems: the immune system (COVID, mold exposure, autoimmunity), the nervous system (concussions, strokes), and energy production (blood sugar, thyroid, anemia, hormones, sleep). The nervous system should still be evaluated even if you haven't had a concussion or a stroke.
4. The Link Between Long COVID & CFS – Many post-COVID symptoms closely resemble CFS, suggesting viral triggers may play a significant role. Identifying immune system dysfunction is key to proper treatment.
5. A Whole-Body Approach to Recovery – Instead of symptom management, Dr. Z advocates for a root-cause approach, integrating functional neurology and medicine to optimize brain-body health and restore energy levels.

🔹 Listen now to learn how to uncover the real reason behind your chronic fatigue and take steps toward lasting recovery!