This GLP-1-Supporting Probiotic Is A Constant In Our Longevity Stack
Join me and Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, my brilliant friend, scientist, and the powerhouse CEO of Pendulum, for our deepest dive yet into all things Akkermansia. This free-flowing conversation will take your understanding of this extraordinary strain to a whole new level. We’ll explore Akkermansia’s pivotal role in metabolic health—think cravings, weight regulation, A1C—and why we’re deficient in the first place. Plus, we’ll discuss its connection to stress, anxiety, and even neurodegenerative diseases. We’ll also dive into the hotly debated topic of Akkermansia’s impact on MS, unpacking both sides of the controversy. And, we’ll touch on its promising influence on hormonal balance, from infertility to menopause.
As someone who's deeply invested in science, I’m personally bullish on Akkermansia and trust Pendulum’s products as part of my own foundational health stack. With groundbreaking science and fresh insights, this episode will change the way you approach your practice. ~DrKF
Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.
GUEST DETAILS
Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics Colleen Cutcliffe is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Pendulum. She has more than 25 years of experience leading and managing biology teams in academia, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Prior to starting Pendulum, Colleen was the senior manager of biology at Pacific Biosciences and a scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals. Colleen completed her postdoctoral studies at Northwestern’s Children’s Memorial Hospital. Colleen received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University and her B.A. in Biochemistry from Wellesley College.THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR
Pendulum: https://tinyurl.com/hzbxh75f
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CONNECT WITH DrKF
In each episode of Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics, host Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with leading researchers and clinicians to explore the intricate science that is reshaping our approach to health. These conversations move beyond surface-level advice, digging into the mechanisms of epigenetics and the practical strategies for extending healthspan. You’ll hear detailed discussions on emerging research, with a focus on how our environment and choices influence genetic expression over a lifetime. This podcast is designed for anyone curious about the actionable science behind longevity, from healthcare practitioners seeking clinical insights to informed patients ready to engage deeply with their own wellness. The dialogue is grounded in functional medicine principles, translating complex studies into meaningful information that can be applied both in clinical settings and daily life. Dr. Fitzgerald guides these explorations with a clear and thoughtful perspective, ensuring each episode builds a comprehensive understanding of how modern science is personalizing the path to lasting health. Tune in for a nuanced and evidence-based journey to the forefront of medicine.
Podcast Episodes
Seed Oils vs Science: What the Data Shows | Dr. Bill Harris
Fatty acids remain one of the most debated areas in clinical nutrition, yet many widely held beliefs may not align with current evidence. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits…
When High Protein Backfires in the Gut Dr. Tom Fabian
In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald speaks with Tom Fabian, PhD, Senior Educator and Research Specialist at Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, about why higher protein intake doesn’…
The Tough Gut Playbook: Rebuilding Gut Resilience in IBS-Prone Patients
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 F…
New Food Guidelines: Progress or Missed Opportunity? | Dr. Robert Lustig
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 b…
Why Bone Loss Accelerates With Aging: The Gut–Bone Connectio
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…
Epstein Files: A Functional Medicine Response
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 Funct…
Why Aging Is Not a Fat Problem — A Muscle-Centric Approach to Longevity
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 emergi…
Platelet-Derived Exosomes in Aesthetics: Data, Safety, and Real-World Use Cases
Exosomes are becoming one of the most talked-about tools in regenerative medicine, but not all exosomes are created equal. In this episode of New Frontiers, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald talks with Alisa Lask, CEO of Plated Skin,…
The Oral Microbiome: The Hidden Biomarker Driving Aging, Fertility & Systemic Inflammation
Functional dentistry is emerging as a powerful missing link in systems-based care. In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with Staci Whitman, DMD, IFMCP, a leading voice in…
The Hidden Immune Signal Accelerating Aging & the Beta-Glucan That Fixes It
Beta-glucans might be one of the most overlooked levers in immune resilience, and that has major implications for longevity. Talking with my long-time friends and colleagues Drs. Bob Rountree and Chris D’Adamo reminded m…