390: A Functional Medicine Approach to Relieving Anxiety with Dr. Kate Kresge, ND

What You Will Learn: What anxiety is and how it differs from stress. What made Dr. Kate interested in naturopathic and functional medicine and how it set the trajectory to her empowering others who struggle with mental health disorders. Why nutrition is a foundation for brain health and why it should be personalized. How the concept of “food as medicine” can be used to address the four underlying causes of anxiety including oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal issues, and immune imbalances. How oxidative stress harms cell membranes and how this interferes with brain functioning and mood. How to use lab tests and nutrient intake to determine oxidative stress. How antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can mitigate oxidative stress and benefit those with a psychiatric diagnosis. How the thyroid is connected to anxiety disorders and how to use labs to test if it is dysregulated. How low DHEA and androgen levels are linked to mood disorders. How cortisol influences hormonal pathways.  The role of adrenal health on mood, especially in menopause, and how essential oils and supplementation can help support it. What essential oil is as effective as benzodiazepines for anxiety, according to a 2010 study. How the immune system is linked to anxiety and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Kate’s favorite essential oil blend to treat gut dysbiosis, which addresses the gut-brain-immune axis. How essential oils support the microbiome. The closing questions: (1) What Dr. Kate does everyday for self-care and how it relates to relieving anxiety. (2) What she feels we should ditch and replace with instead for a healthier and more nourishing life. Dr. Kresge’s Bio: Dr. Kate Kresge is a passionate, compassionate, and brilliant naturopathic physician who is the current Head of Medical Education at RUPA Health, a company dedicated to bringing root cause medicine to the world. Before joining RUPA, Dr. Kresge was the founding Director of Functional Medicine at Sanare Today, an impressive 13-location practice on the east coast of the U.S. This integrative clinic combines therapy, coaching, and natural medicine and has succeeded in helping over 8,000 people to thrive.  Dr. Kresge is a sought-after speaker and national expert in the utilization of natural therapies and nutrition for psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She offers CEU courses for naturopathic doctors and pharmacists on mental health. Dr. Kresge also shares her knowledge as the host of the Root Cause Medicine Podcast, where her training in naturopathic medicine, biofeedback, and nutrition allows her to highlight the power of implementing root-cause treatments. Dr. Kresge is a strong advocate for correcting the misconception that mental health is solely based on psychology or willpower. She empowers both patients and practitioners with her integrative and team-based approach. She also strives to help keep functional medicine accessible to all with an emphasis on low-cost and effective protocols. Dr. Kresge’s science-based approach to nutritional support, lifestyle medicine, and personalized supplementation is erasing the shame of mental health and legitimizing that biological imbalances in the brain do not need to be stigmatized. Perhaps this is one of her most admirable qualities, besides her genius. She provides a fierce yet heart-based message that when the brain gets the nutrition and support it needs, it can optimally function, and people can once again thrive. You can learn more about Dr. Kresge at https://www.doctorkatehenry.com/ and on Rupa Health at https://www.rupahealth.com/author/dr-kate-Kresge. Links to Learn More About Dr. Kresge and Her Offerings Dr. Kresge’s Website Dr. Kresge’s Rupa Health Articles Dr. Kresge’s iHerb Articles The Root Cause Medicine Podcast YouTube @rupahealth and @drkateKresge Facebook Instagram @dr.kateKresge  X (formally Twitter) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices