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Why Chronic Disease May Begin Before Birth

Why Chronic Disease May Begin Before Birth

Author: Dr. Kara Fitzgerald July 23, 2026 Duration: 1:27:05
Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics
HealthHealth & FitnessFitness
In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is joined by Dr. Emily Stone Rydbom, Dr. Leslie Stone, and Dr. Kalea Wattles to explore the science of preconception health, fertility, epigenetics, and chronic disease prevention.

Learn how maternal nutrition, mitochondrial health, methylation, the microbiome, inflammation, and environmental exposures influence fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and lifelong health through the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework.

Topics include: • Why chronic disease risk may begin before conception • Epigenetics, methylation, folate, and MTHFR • Mitochondrial health and fertility • Functional medicine approaches to infertility and pregnancy • The future of AI and precision medicine in reproductive healthcare

Whether you're a healthcare practitioner, planning a pregnancy, or simply interested in functional medicine and precision health, this episode offers practical, science-backed insights into improving health across generations.

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

GUEST DETAILS

Emily Stone Rydbom, MDH, BCHN, CNP is a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist specializing in functional and precision nutrition for maternal, pediatric, and chronic disease care. She is co-founder of GrowBaby, an integrated OB–nutrition care model, and partners with healthcare systems to deliver genomics- and biomarker-informed maternal health programs.

Leslie Stone, MD is a Board Certified Family Practice Obstetrician with fellowship training in Surgical Obstetrics. A co-founder of GrowBaby and principal investigator of the ROOT Study, she has spent more than a decade integrating functional medicine into evidence-based obstetric care, delivering over 5,000 babies throughout her career.

Kalea Wattles, ND, IFMCP is a naturopathic physician, certified functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Functional Fertility. She specializes in unexplained infertility, preconception optimization, and fertility over 35, translating the latest reproductive medicine research into practical, personalized care.

Website: www.growbabyhealth.com / www.growhealth.co / www.growbabylifeproject.org https://www.drkaleawattles.com

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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