Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with neuroscientist and mitochondrial health researcher Dr. Siobhan Mitchell to explore emerging research on mitochondrial dysfunction, aging, and longevity. They discuss how mitochondria change as we age, how mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to chronic inflammation and age-related disease, and why supporting mitochondrial health could be an important strategy for extending healthspan.
The conversation explores the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and biological aging, inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic health, cognitive decline, and chronic disease. Dr. Mitchell also discusses emerging biomarkers of mitochondrial stress, including GDF-15, and what they may reveal about mitochondrial health and aging trajectories.
Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Mitchell also examine practical and emerging approaches to supporting mitochondrial function, including creatine, NAD+ precursors, S-equol, exercise, and targeted mitochondrial support, along with research on vascular function, cellular energy production, and mitochondrial DNA damage.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to inflammation and accelerated aging
Why mitochondrial DNA damage could play a role in chronic disease
What GDF-15 may reveal about mitochondrial stress and aging
How creatine supports cellular and brain energy
The connection between estrogen, S-equol, and mitochondrial health
What emerging research says about NAD+ precursors and aging
How targeted mitochondrial support may influence vascular health, exercise recovery, and cellular function

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS
Dr Siobhan Mitchell PhD., MitoQ Chief Scientific Officer
Holding a PhD in neuroscience from SUNY Albany, Siobhan Mitchell has also completed a post-doctoral fellowship on brain aging at the University of Washington. She has over 15 years of clinical research experience, seven patents on mood and cognitive food products, and has authored over 50 papers on aging, brain health, nutrition, metabolic health and more.
With a personal passion for brain aging research, Siobhan has worked on metabolic and skin health, appetite, sports physiology and of cellular health – which she now focuses on as the Chief Scientific Officer for research-backed cellular health company, MitoQ – creators of the world’s first mitochondria-targeted antioxidant.

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MitoQ

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Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw

GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed weight loss and metabolic health—but what are we overlooking? In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is joined by Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj and Dr. Alexis Gonzales to explore the clinical tradeoffs of GLP-1 therapy, including lean muscle preservation, nutrient status, weight regain, and long-term metabolic health.

The conversation also examines SiPore, an engineered silica-based intervention that works locally in the GI tract to slow the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates and fats. Dr. Fitzgerald and her guests discuss findings from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SHINE trial, including outcomes related to A1c, visceral fat, waist circumference, cholesterol, and lean mass.

They also explore how CGMs can reveal post-meal glucose patterns, why muscle preservation matters during weight loss, and how clinicians can support patients transitioning off GLP-1 medications—including those preparing for pregnancy, IVF, or surgery.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Sanjay Bhojraj, MD, FACC is an interventional cardiologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine specializing in cardiometabolic health, longevity medicine, and precision cardiovascular prevention.

He’s the founder of the Laguna Institute of Functional Medicine. His programs focus on reversing metabolic dysfunction, improving resilience, and reducing cardiovascular risk through lifestyle optimization and advanced diagnostic testing.

Dr. Alexis Gonzales ("Dr. G") is OvationLab’s Senior Clinical Implementation and AI Specialist, translating breakthrough research into practical clinical workflows, and holds advanced degrees in biochemistry (Saint Mary’s), biotechnology (Johns Hopkins), and naturopathic medicine (Bastyr).

She provides concierge functional-medicine care at her private practice in California—focusing on endometriosis, fertility, PCOS, and menopause—while distilling emerging research into practical frameworks at conferences to make integrative solutions accessible.

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SIGRID

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Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym
Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw

Longevity medicine is expanding beyond biological age, biomarkers, and emerging technology. In this special episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald shares four thought-provoking conversations exploring the science, clinical tools, and deeply human questions shaping the future of healthspan.

Dr. Dale Bredesen and Dr. Kat Toups discuss preliminary findings from their six-site randomized controlled trial evaluating a personalized precision medicine approach to cognitive decline, including changes in cognitive performance, neuroplasticity, and Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers.

Peter Diamandis explores AI, exponential technologies, and the future of medicine—while considering whether technological advances could ever replace the foundational role of diet, movement, sleep, and lifestyle.

Dr. Aviva Romm examines the evolving understanding of PCOS, reproductive health as a vital sign, and the metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, environmental, and psychosocial factors influencing women’s health across the lifespan.

Stanford-trained physician and public health advocate Dr. Casey Means joins Dr. Fitzgerald for a thought-provoking reflection on what it means to be human. She also speaks on pregnancy, birth, public scrutiny, health beyond biomarkers, and the roles of equanimity, stewardship, connection, and meaning in a well-lived life.

Join Dr. Kara Fitzgerald and more than 30 leading clinicians, researchers, and educators for the free Functional Medicine IS Longevity Medicine Masterclass, live September 18–19, 2026. Register here: https://functionalmedicineislongevitymedicine.com

If this episode expands how you think about longevity or patient care, share it with a colleague and join the conversation in the comments.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

Website: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/virtual-masterclass-for-clinicians/

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Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym
Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is joined by Dr. Emily Stone Rydbom, Dr. Leslie Stone, and Dr. Kalea Wattles to explore the science of preconception health, fertility, epigenetics, and chronic disease prevention.

Learn how maternal nutrition, mitochondrial health, methylation, the microbiome, inflammation, and environmental exposures influence fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and lifelong health through the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework.

Topics include:
• Why chronic disease risk may begin before conception
• Epigenetics, methylation, folate, and MTHFR
• Mitochondrial health and fertility
• Functional medicine approaches to infertility and pregnancy
• The future of AI and precision medicine in reproductive healthcare

Whether you're a healthcare practitioner, planning a pregnancy, or simply interested in functional medicine and precision health, this episode offers practical, science-backed insights into improving health across generations.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Emily Stone Rydbom, MDH, BCHN, CNP is a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist specializing in functional and precision nutrition for maternal, pediatric, and chronic disease care. She is co-founder of GrowBaby, an integrated OB–nutrition care model, and partners with healthcare systems to deliver genomics- and biomarker-informed maternal health programs.

Leslie Stone, MD is a Board Certified Family Practice Obstetrician with fellowship training in Surgical Obstetrics. A co-founder of GrowBaby and principal investigator of the ROOT Study, she has spent more than a decade integrating functional medicine into evidence-based obstetric care, delivering over 5,000 babies throughout her career.

Kalea Wattles, ND, IFMCP is a naturopathic physician, certified functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Functional Fertility. She specializes in unexplained infertility, preconception optimization, and fertility over 35, translating the latest reproductive medicine research into practical, personalized care.

Website:
www.growbabyhealth.com / www.growhealth.co / www.growbabylifeproject.org
https://www.drkaleawattles.com

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Biotics Research: https://www.bioticsresearch.com/

Time—Line Nutrition: http://pro.timeline.com/

DUTCH: https://dutchtest.com/for-providers

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Mira: https://learn.miracare.com/DRKF

Fullscript Journeys: www.fullscript.com/journeys-kara

Equelle: equelle.com

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Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym

Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw
Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym
Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw

Can skincare influence healthy aging beyond reducing fine lines and wrinkles?

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald welcomes Carolina Reis Oliveira, PhD, CEO and co-founder of OneSkin, for a science-based discussion on cellular senescence, skin aging, and the connection between skin health and longevity.

Carolina explains the research behind OneSkin's OS-01 peptide, developed after screening more than 900 peptides to identify one that targets senescent ("zombie") cells. These aging cells contribute to inflammation, collagen loss, impaired skin barrier function, and visible skin aging.

Together, they explore the latest research on biological skin age, skin inflammation, barrier repair, collagen production, sensitive skin, retinol, microneedling, hair thinning, scar recovery, and the effects of GLP-1–associated weight loss on skin health. They also discuss why testing complete skincare formulations matters and how longevity science is shaping the future of skincare.

Whether you're a clinician, skincare professional, or simply interested in healthy aging, this episode offers an evidence-informed look at where longevity science and skincare intersect.

Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira* is the CEO and co-founder of OneSkin and a longevity scientist with a Ph.D. in stem cell biology and tissue engineering. Her company develops groundbreaking products to reverse skin aging by targeting senescent cells, one of the central drivers of aging.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

OneSkin: https://www.oneskin.co/

OneSkin is designed to enhance how skin functions, so it stays healthier and more resilient as you age. For a limited time, you can try OneSkin for 15% off with code DRKF a http://oneskin.co/DRKF

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Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym
Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw