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

As more patients present with digestive sensitivity and increasingly restricted diets, restoring gut resilience has become a central clinical challenge. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, about emerging microbiome science and practical strategies for supporting microbial balance, dietary tolerance, and metabolic health.

The discussion explores next-generation probiotic strains, fiber diversity, IBS patterns, and real-world approaches clinicians can use to help patients rebuild microbiome resilience and expand diet diversity in practice.

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

GUEST DETAILS

Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, is CEO and Co-Founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, where she focuses on advancing microbiome science and metabolic health through next-generation probiotic research. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University and brings more than 25 years of experience across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and academic research.

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Pendulum Therapeutics - http://PendulumLife.com/Kara20
Email: [email protected]

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Using next-generation probiotics like live Akkermansia, Pendulum is designed to go beyond gut health to support metabolism. Visit http://PendulumLife.com/Kara20 and use code KARA20 for 20% off your first membership order.
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In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Robert Lustig about the new USDA dietary guidelines and the broader forces shaping nutrition and metabolic health. Dr. Lustig brings a characteristically direct and nuanced perspective on sugar, ultra-processed foods, and food policy—raising important questions about what drives real change. It’s a thoughtful conversation that challenges assumptions and invites deeper reflection.

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

GUEST DETAILS
Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSL, is Emeritus Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at UCSF and a neuroendocrinologist with expertise in obesity, metabolism, and nutrition. Known for his influential work on sugar and ultra-processed foods, Dr. Lustig focuses on improving metabolic health through food system reform, research, and advocacy. He is the author of Fat Chance, The Hacking of the American Mind, and Metabolical, and a leader with Eat REAL, Biolumen, SnapRecall, and Perfact.

Website: https://robertlustig.com/
Email: [email protected]

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

Time—Line Nutrition: https://tinyurl.com/bdzx2xms

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Find out why MitoQ’s mitochondria-targeting is a critical step for your healthspan and longevity strategy. http://mitoq.com/drkara

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Bone loss doesn’t start when fractures happen — it begins years earlier.

In this episode, we explore how bone aging accelerates during menopause and the emerging role of the gut microbiome as a driver of skeletal decline. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with research scientists from Sōlaria biō, the company behind Bōndia, about their work studying plant-derived microbes, microbial synergies, and the connections between gut health, inflammation, and bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women.

We also review findings from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial examining a microbiome-based intervention for bone health — and discuss why bone loss may need to be addressed earlier, systemically, and beyond hormones alone.

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

GUEST DETAILS

Alicia Ballok, Ph.D. is Director of Discovery at Sōlaria biō, leading research on plant-derived synbiotics for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Trained in Microbiology and Immunology at Dartmouth, with postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, her work focuses on translating host–microbe science into therapeutic innovation.

Mark Charbonneau, Ph.D. is Vice President of R&D at Sōlaria biō. He earned his Ph.D. in Computational and Systems Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, studying infant microbiome development and undernutrition. His work spans microbiome research, bioinformatics, and live biotherapeutic innovation.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

Sōlaria biō: http://bit.ly/SolariaBio

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR NEW FRONTIERS LISTENERS

Looking for a clinically proven way to target bone loss? Bōndia by Sōlaria biō is a groundbreaking blend of plant-derived prebiotics and probiotics shown in a clinical trial to improve bone density outcomes by 85%. Try it for yourself at Sōlaria biō and use code Kara20 for 20% off your order.

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

The continued release of the Epstein files has sparked difficult but necessary conversations across the medical, longevity, and wellness communities.

In this candid and deeply reflective episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Dr. Sara Szal and Dr. Brad Jacobs to explore what this moment calls forward from clinicians — ethically, professionally, and personally.

Together, they discuss:

• Medical accountability and the responsibility that comes with influence
• The ethical obligations of physicians and mandated reporters
• How the medical system has failed vulnerable adolescents — especially young women
• Power dynamics, patriarchy, and the culture of silence
• Trauma, ACE scores, and measurable impacts on long-term health
• What practitioners can do differently starting now

This is a thoughtful, clinician-focused conversation about integrity, trauma-informed care, and the role healthcare providers play in protecting and supporting patients.

If you care about the future of ethical, patient-centered medicine, this is an important listen.

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

GUEST DETAILS
Dr. Sara Szal is a best-selling author, board-certified gynecologist, and women’s health expert focused on helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause with strength and clarity. Her work integrates evidence-based medicine, advanced lab testing, and targeted lifestyle protocols to support body composition, metabolic health, sleep, mood, and cognitive vitality.

Website: https://saraszalmd.com/

Dr. Bradly Jacobs is a Stanford-trained physician and outcomes researcher specializing in men’s health, longevity, and behavior change. His work blends precision medicine, psycho-emotional development, and performance optimization to help men build vitality, resilience, and sustainable healthspan.

Website: https://drbradjacobs.com/

THANKS TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS

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

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

Time—Line Nutrition: https://tinyurl.com/bdzx2xms

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

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

What if obesity and metabolic dysfunction start in the muscle, not the fat tissue we usually measure? In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon unpack this emerging science, from intramuscular adipose tissue to protein needs, anabolic resistance, fatty liver disease, and the role of muscle in healthy aging. A compelling episode with immediate takeaways for clinical practice.

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is the physician behind Muscle-Centric Medicine®, a groundbreaking approach that reframes muscle as the key driver of metabolic health, aging, and resilience. She is the bestselling author of FOREVER STRONG and the forthcoming Forever Strong Playbook, which translates her science-backed principles into practical strategies for building lifelong strength and capacity.

Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon

THANKS TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS

Biotics Research: https://bit.ly/2IHK6Xd

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

Time—Line Nutrition: https://tinyurl.com/bdzx2xms

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS

Find out why MitoQ’s mitochondria-targeting is a critical step for your healthspan and longevity strategy. http://mitoq.com/drkara

*CONNECT with DrKF*

Want more? Join our newsletter here: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/newsletter/ Or take our pop quiz and test your BioAge! https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/bioagequiz

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/hjpc8daz

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKaraFitzgerald/

DrKF Clinic: Patient consults with DrKF physicians including Younger You Concierge: https://tinyurl.com/yx4fjhkb

Younger You Practitioner Training Program: www.drkarafitzgerald.com/trainingyyi/

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

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