In this episode of the Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs delves into the pivotal role of ferritin in diagnosing iron deficiency, particularly in the realm of environmental medicine. Highlighting its significance as the principal marker of iron storage, Dr. Reebs emphasizes the critical link between ferritin levels and overall health, shedding light on its implications in chronic diseases such as anemia. Through a comprehensive exploration of ferritin's multifaceted functions, including its role as an inflammatory marker and its regulation by the hormone hepcidin, listeners gain valuable insi ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs interviews Dr. Katelyn Mudry, a naturopathic doctor and herbalist based in Kimberley, British Columbia. Dr. Mudry shares her passion for sustainable, herb-forward naturopathic prescribing, emphasizing her focus on herbal medicine in her practice. With an herb garden that she lovingly tends to, Dr. Mudry crafts about 80% of her herbal medicines, incorporating custom-blended herbal tinctures and homeopathics to address various health concerns. Despite admitting to being a self-proclaimed "horrible gardener" when it comes to vegetables ..read more

In this episode of the Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs delves into the pivotal role of ferritin in diagnosing iron deficiency, particularly in the realm of environmental medicine. Highlighting its significance as the principal marker of iron storage, Dr. Reebs emphasizes the critical link between ferritin levels and overall health, shedding light on its implications in chronic diseases such as anemia. Through a comprehensive exploration of ferritin's multifaceted functions, including its role as an inflammatory marker and its regulation by the hormone hepcidin, listeners gain valuable insi ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs interviews James Maskell, a pioneer in functional medicine and community building. The conversation centers on the concept of loneliness as an environmental toxin and its profound impact on health. James discusses his realization after hearing a lecture on human social genomics that loneliness is a significant driver of all-cause mortality, surpassing factors like food, smoking, and drinking. He likens loneliness to an environmental toxin, emphasizing its role in increasing the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, Alzheimer's, hea ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs interviews James Maskell, a pioneer in functional medicine and community building. The conversation centers on the concept of loneliness as an environmental toxin and its profound impact on health. James discusses his realization after hearing a lecture on human social genomics that loneliness is a significant driver of all-cause mortality, surpassing factors like food, smoking, and drinking. He likens loneliness to an environmental toxin, emphasizing its role in increasing the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, Alzheimer's, hea ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast, host Dr. Ben Reebs, welcomes Dr. Claire Zimmerman, a naturopathic doctor and herbalist specializing in environmental medicine. Dr. Zimmerman provides insights into the foundational labs essential for diagnosing environmental illnesses. She emphasizes the importance of including basic heavy metal panels alongside routine labs, such as CBC and CMP, due to prevalent toxic exposure in modern society. Dr. Zimmerman highlights the significance of testing both blood and urine for heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, elucidating the necess ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast with Dr. Ben Reebs, listeners delve into the intricate world of the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). Dr. Reebs provides a comprehensive breakdown of EBV's structure, its opportunistic nature, and the significance of interpreting Epstein Barr virus antibodies on a panel. As Dr. Reebs explains, EBV, a member of the herpes virus family, remains dormant in the body after initial infection, awaiting an opportunity to reactivate and potentially cause symptoms such as fatigue and malaise. The podcast sheds light on the various antibodies tested in an EBV panel, in ..read more

In this thought-provoking episode of the Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs delves into the concept of black swan events and their profound implications for individual health. Drawing from the insights of finance professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Ben explores how these unexpected occurrences, with their unpredictable nature, can send shockwaves through both global systems and personal lives. Through Taleb's three defining characteristics of black swan events—unpredictability, significant impact, and post hoc predictability—Dr. Ben illustrates how such events can reverberate through our health ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs sits down with Dr. Kasey Holland to dissect the intricacies of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and its association with other health complications. Dr. Holland sheds light on what she calls "The Toxic Trio." (EBV, tick-borne illness and mold illness) She discusses the fact that EBV, while increasingly recognized, is rarely the sole culprit behind patients' symptoms. Instead, it often indicates deeper concerns like tick-borne illnesses, mold exposure, and environmental toxins. Dr. Holland strongly advocates for personalized treatment plan ..read more

In this episode of The Modern Vital Podcast, Dr. Ben Reebs explores the vast world of antioxidants, with a keen focus on one in particular: Resveratrol. Widely recognized for its presence in red wine, Dr. Reebs delves deeper into its chemical structure, revealing that this powerful antioxidant extends beyond our favorite evening beverage. Found in grape skin, seeds, various berries, and even peanuts, resveratrol stands out as a potent polyphenol (of which there are over 8,000 varieties). But its true marvel lies in its neuroprotective properties. Studies over the past decade indicate that res ..read more