Multiple Sclerosis is a complex autoimmune condition that is often poorly understood and requires a great deal of expertise to treat it effectively. My guest today, Dr. Erica Rivas does exactly that in her private practice focusing on a more holistic approach to Multiple Sclerosis. We also touch on other Neurological Autoimmune conditions that can affect the brain including Hashimoto's which is often not thought of as a brain condition but rather thyroid condition. Hashimoto's can have direct effects on the nervous system and often causes symptoms in these patients.
We discuss:
– Her medical background and why she went into Neurology.
– What is Multiple Sclerosis and how does she treat it differently from other practitioners?
– What are other autoimmune conditions that can affect the brain?
– Is there potential for more holistic treatment options for autoimmune brain diseases?
– How Hashimoto's affects the brain.
– The Biggest challenges she faces with her patient population
– Some success stories of patients with her approach.
Guest Intro:
Dr. Erica Rivas is the medical director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin. She is an expert in immunological disorders that affect the central nervous system, spinal cord and brain. She completed her fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at the University of Southern California. She is board-certified in Neurology. She is also the recipient of an educational grant award for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. She has been named a top doctor in Austin.
Connect with Dr. Akhter:
Website: www.madinamedicine.com
Email: info@madinamedicine.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter

Connect with Dr. Rivas
Website: https://www.msnia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/multiplesclerosisandneurology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_ericarivas

Nutrition can be one of the most complex topics in modern medicine with so much misinformation available on the Internet. In that type of climate, getting accurate and balanced information is very important. In this Episode, I discuss the foundations of good nutrition, building strong muscle mass, and losing body fat with Lauren Embree who can speak with excellent expertise given that she is not only a Functional Nutritionist but also a former Professional Tennis player having been through various health challenges and still reaching the peak of her fitness goals.

We discuss:

– Her background in professional sports and journey into the world of Nutrition.

– The best overarching nutrition principles we can apply.

– Discussing a bit of the nuance with nutritional research.

– The best nutritional strategies to lose weight.

– Best tips for building healthy muscle mass.

– Best nutritional tips for an athlete.

Guest Intro:

Lauren Embree is the founder of Embree Wellness. She is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist and holds a B.S. in Sports Management. She is a graduate of The Academy of Functional Medicine and is board-certified through the Nutritional Therapy Association. As a former 2x National Champion and 5x All-American on the University of Florida Women’s Tennis Team, she finished her collegiate career ranked number 1 in the nation and went on to compete professionally on the WTA tour. In 2023, she was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame. Her experience as a collegiate and professional athlete has greatly influenced her passion for helping others optimize their bodies to feel their best every day. Her own health journey, having battled autoimmune flareups, chronic fatigue, inflammation, and poor skin and gut health, inspired her passion for holistic nutrition. Through this experience, she developed a deep understanding of how simple dietary and lifestyle changes can transform your health.

Connect with Dr. Akhter

Website: www.madinamedicine.com

Email: info@madinamedicine.com

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter

Facebook: www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter

Connect with Lauren Embree

Website: https://www.embreewellness.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lembree888/

Type 2 Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the Western world. Much of the emphasis in the medical community is based on medications for ‘treating’ Diabetes and oftentimes the discussion of diet and lifestyle gets left behind. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Janel Gordon about using a plant-based diet to improve and reverse your Type 2 Diabetes. Yes, reversing your Type 2 Diabetes is possible contrary to what we were taught in medical school. I hope you find this discussion beneficial.

We discuss:

- Her background starting in Lifestyle Medicine and how that translates into practice. 

- What is the role of diet in type 2 diabetes?

- What she recommends to patients when she talks to them about type 2 diabetes management. 

- What aspects of diet do we get wrong when talking about Type 2 Diabetes 

- A few case studies of patients with Type 2 Diabetes that have benefited from diet changes. 

Guest Bio:

Dr. Janel Gordon, M.D., DipABOM, DipABLM, is a Board Certified Family, Obesity & Lifestyle Medicine Physician. Dr. Gordon is certified in Plant-based Nutrition by the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and Cornell University. She is certified in Culinary Coaching by Harvard Medical School, The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Gordon was recently selected as a Leading Physician Well-being Fellow with the American Academy of Family Physicians, through which she is receiving further training in leadership development, program development, and quality improvement.

Dr. Gordon has special interests in culinary medicine, food security, community development, and sustainable efforts. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, and discovering delicious and nutritious foods near and far.

Connect with Dr. Gordon

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janel-gordon-md-dipabom-dipablm-18ba339b/

https://www.instagram.com/janelgordonmd/

Connect with Dr. Akhter

Website: www.madinamedicine.com

Email: info@madinamedicine.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/