ReversABLE

Is autism purely genetic, or could environmental exposures, gut health, immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation play a much bigger role than we currently understand? In this fascinating conversation, Josh Dech sits down with Theresa Lyons, PhD, to explore the complex biological factors that may contribute to autism and why searching for one universal cause or treatment may be fundamentally misguided. With a PhD in computational chemistry from Yale and a background in pharmaceutical research and development, Theresa brings a scientific perspective to a deeply personal subject. After her daughter received an autism diagnosis, she began investigating the biological mechanisms, environmental risk factors and emerging research that could help parents better understand their children's health. Together, they explore the relationship between autism and the gut microbiome, including how antibiotics, environmental toxins, mold exposure, heavy metals and nutritional deficiencies may influence immune function and neurological development. They also examine maternal autoantibodies, cerebral folate deficiency and the potential relationship between dairy consumption and neurological inflammation. Theresa explains why some children may experience significant communication difficulties despite having far more cognitive ability than their outward behavior suggests. The conversation also tackles some of the most contentious questions surrounding autism, including vaccines, environmental exposures, genetic susceptibility and whether an autism diagnosis necessarily remains lifelong. Perhaps most importantly, this episode challenges parents to stop chasing someone else's success story. Autism is complex, and the factors influencing one child may be entirely different from those affecting another. Understanding the individual biology, investigating potential contributors and making informed decisions requires critical thinking rather than quick fixes. If you're interested in autism, gut health, the microbiome, inflammation, immune system function, environmental toxicity and root-cause approaches to chronic health challenges, this is an important conversation.   TOPICS DISCUSSED: Autism Prevalence, Diagnostic Changes & The Autism Spectrum Autism As A Diagnosis Versus An Identity Profound Autism, Communication Difficulties & Hidden Cognitive Abilities Environmental Toxins, Mold, Heavy Metals & Genetic Susceptibility Gut Microbiome, Antibiotics & Immune System Dysfunction Maternal Autoantibodies & Neuroinflammation Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Folate Transport & Dairy Connections Vaccines, Immune Health & The Autism Debate Raw Milk, Camel Milk, Inflammation & Individualized Interventions Preconception Health, Parental Guilt & Individualized Root-Cause Investigation   More from Dr. Theresa Lyons: Website: navigatingawetism.com Instagram: @navigating_awetism TikTok: Navigating AWEtism Facebook: Navigating AWEtism with Theresa Lyons, PhD Youtube: Navigating AWEtism with Theresa Lyons, PhD   Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube   

What if the future of gut health and immune regulation involves something we're not paying nearly enough attention to: glyconutrients? In this episode of ReversABLE, Josh Dech sits down with Brandon Perez to explore Acemannan, a naturally occurring, mannose-rich polysaccharide found in the inner gel of aloe vera, and its potential role in immune function, inflammation, and tissue repair. Brandon shares his personal journey through eight years of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), histamine intolerance, chronic inflammation, sleep disturbances, brain fog, anxiety, and digestive dysfunction. After spending approximately $70,000 searching for answers, he discovered Acemannan and describes experiencing significant improvements in his symptoms over the following months. But this conversation goes beyond one person's experience. Josh and Brandon explore how Acemannan interacts with macrophages, the difference between immune stimulation and immune modulation, and why helping the immune system regulate its response may be more important than simply trying to boost it. They also investigate the emerging science of glyconutrients, the glycocalyx, and the relationship between carbohydrate structures, cellular communication, and immune recognition. Brandon also explains why Acemannan should be viewed as a potential component of a broader gut-healing strategy rather than a standalone solution. If you're struggling with chronic gut issues, histamine intolerance, MCAS, or persistent inflammation, this episode offers a fascinating look at an emerging area of immune and nutritional research.   TOPICS DISCUSSED: Acemannan: What It Is And How It Works Brandon's Eight-Year Battle With MCAS And Histamine Intolerance Immune Modulation Versus Immune Stimulation Glyconutrients And The Glycocalyx Acemannan Research, Patents And Mechanisms Of Action Gut Repair, Collagen Production And Fibroblasts SIBO, Dysbiosis And Short-Chain Fatty Acids Acemannan, CIRS And Chronic Inflammatory Conditions Supplement Safety, Adaptation Responses And Potential Flares Research Literacy, Medical Authority And Alternative Treatments   More from Brandon Perez: Instagram: @the.ace.edit Substack: The Ace Edit Youtube: The Ace Edit   Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube   

What if understanding gut health requires looking beyond protein, fat, and carbohydrates to the microscopic structures that coat our cells? In this episode of ReversABLE, Josh Dech welcomes back Dr. Robert Kiltz for a deep dive into the glycocalyx: a sugar-rich layer on the surface of cells that plays important roles in cellular recognition, communication, and interactions with the surrounding environment. Dr. Kiltz introduces the field of glycobiology and explains glycosylation, the process through which sugars attach to proteins and influence their structure and function. Using accessible analogies, including a biological barcode and an antenna that senses the cellular environment, he explores how these structures help the body distinguish between self and non-self. The conversation connects this biology to gut health, the intestinal barrier, the microbiome, and immune function. Because the gut encounters an enormous range of substances from the outside environment, understanding its protective mechanisms is relevant to discussions about inflammation and intestinal permeability. Josh and Dr. Kiltz explore the possibility that changes in the glycocalyx may influence how the body interacts with microbes and other foreign substances. The discussion then moves into a more unconventional examination of human nutrition. Dr. Kiltz challenges conventional assumptions about dietary sugar, energy metabolism, and the relative importance of protein and fat. He discusses adipose tissue as more than stored energy, using the example of hibernating bears to illustrate his perspective on fat as a biological resource. He also shares his views on raw versus cooked animal foods, rendered fat, and the evolutionary context of human eating patterns. Some of these nutritional claims are hypotheses and opinions that extend beyond established scientific consensus. This episode is an opportunity to explore the ideas, understand the underlying biology, and distinguish established cellular mechanisms from more speculative interpretations. If you're interested in gut health, inflammation, the microbiome, cellular biology, and root-cause approaches to chronic illness, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at a lesser-known area of science — and raises important questions about what we still need to understand about the human body.   TOPICS DISCUSSED: The Glycocalyx And Its Role In Cellular Recognition Glycosylation And Post-Translational Protein Modification How Cells Distinguish Between Self And Non-Self Cellular Electrical Charge And Molecular Communication The Gut Barrier, Microbiome, And Intestinal Inflammation Adipose Tissue As A Biological Storage System Dietary Sugar, Plant Antigens, And Immune Reactions Raw Versus Cooked Animal Foods And Nutrient Availability Fat Metabolism, Insulin, And Energy Production Scientific Paradigms And Gaps In Conventional Nutrition Thinking   More from Robert Kiltz: Website: doctorkiltz.com Instagram: @doctorkiltz TikTok: @doctorkiltz Facebook: @doctorkiltz Youtube: @DrRobLive   Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube   

What if your feet play a bigger role in your long-term health than you've been led to believe? In this episode of ReversABLE, Josh Dech sits down with Mark Sisson, longtime athlete, author of The Primal Blueprint and Born to Walk, and founder of Peluva, to explore the overlooked relationship between foot health, movement, balance, and healthy aging. Mark argues that modern footwear can restrict natural toe movement and reduce the sensory feedback our feet provide to the brain. He explains how proprioception—the body's ability to sense its position and movement—helps coordinate the kinetic chain, including the ankles, knees, hips, and back. When foot movement is restricted or pain changes the way we walk, other parts of the body may compensate. Drawing on his own history of athletic injuries, Mark shares why he began rethinking conventional footwear and developed a minimalist shoe designed to provide a wide toe box, a thin sole, flexibility, and greater ground feel. Josh adds a personal perspective, describing how an ankle injury affected his hip mobility and how foot-focused rehabilitation became part of his recovery. The conversation also explores why Mark considers foot strength an overlooked component of longevity. Balance, reaction time, and the ability to remain physically active become especially important with age. For women concerned about maintaining mobility, strength, and bone density, the discussion highlights how foot discomfort can become a barrier to walking and weight-bearing exercise. You'll also hear Mark challenge conventional assumptions about heavily cushioned shoes, arch support, and the running boom. He explains why he favors gradual foot conditioning, appropriate footwear, and frequent low-intensity movement over relying exclusively on isolated workouts. The episode concludes with a practical reminder: walking doesn't need to happen in one long session. Short walks distributed throughout the day can be a useful way to build more movement into everyday life. If you're interested in root-cause thinking, functional movement, and practical strategies for protecting your mobility, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on a surprisingly overlooked part of the body.   TOPICS DISCUSSED: Foot Anatomy, Proprioception, And The Brain–Body Connection Modern Footwear, Toe Restriction, And Natural Foot Movement The Kinetic Chain: How Foot Mechanics Relate To Knees, Hips, And Back Mark Sisson's Athletic Injuries And The Evolution Of His Footwear Philosophy Minimalist Shoes And The Development Of Peluva Foot Strength, Balance, Falls, And Longevity Bunions, Plantar Fascilitis, Orthotics, And Conventional Podiatry Walking, Daily Movement, And The Philosophy Behind Born To Walk Bone Density, Women's Health, And Weight-Bearing Exercise Barefoot Training, Uneven Terrain, And Practical Foot Conditioning   More from Mark Sisson: Website: peluva.com Instagram: @marksissonprimal Instagram: @wearpeluva TikTok: Peluva Facebook: peluva Youtube: peluva Subscribe to Mark Sisson's Newsletter: Mark Sisson's Untethered Get Mark Sisson's Book: Born To Walk Get Mark Sisson's Book: The New Primal Blueprint Get Mark Sisson's Book: Two Meals a Day Get Mark Sisson's Book: The Primal Kitchen Cookbook Get Mark Sisson's Book: The Primal Connection Get Mark Sisson's Book: The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation   Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube   

In this episode of ReversABLE, Josh Dech welcomes back Dr. Nathan S. Bryan, a researcher who has spent 25 years studying nitric oxide and its role in human physiology. Together, they explore how nitric oxide supports vascular function, oxygen delivery, inflammation regulation, and the body's natural repair processes—and why its relationship with chronic illness deserves closer scientific attention. The conversation begins with an unexpected topic: your mouth. Dr. Bryan discusses the relationship between the oral microbiome, certain mouthwash ingredients, and the body's ability to produce nitric oxide. They examine how oral bacteria participate in the nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway and why disrupting this process may have implications beyond dental health. Josh and Nathan then connect nitric oxide to broader questions in functional medicine and root-cause healing. They discuss inflammation, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, microcirculation, environmental exposures, and the physiological processes involved in delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues. For listeners navigating chronic gut symptoms or inflammatory conditions, this offers a wider perspective on the systems that interact with the immune system and overall health. The episode also explores the proposed vascular and metabolic components of Alzheimer's disease, nitric oxide research in stroke recovery, and the potential relationship between nitric oxide signaling and immune-cell behavior. Nathan explains his approach to restorative physiology and why he believes research should focus on the biological mechanisms contributing to disease, rather than only its downstream manifestations. The conversation becomes more controversial as Josh and Nathan question conventional pharmaceutical incentives, discuss the challenges of funding disruptive research, and share strong opinions about mainstream medical practice and the COVID-19 response. These perspectives are part of the discussion, not proof that the claims made are established scientific consensus. Finally, Nathan discusses nitric oxide products, the importance of understanding dose and safety, and practical habits he recommends considering, including exercise, nasal breathing, sunlight exposure, and reviewing oral-care choices.   TOPICS DISCUSSED: Nitric Oxide Biology And Its Role In Human Physiology Chronic Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, And Root-Cause Mechanisms Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Health, And Cognitive Function Oxygen Delivery, Blood Flow, And Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Pharmaceutical Incentives And The Debate Over Symptom Management Versus Root-Cause Treatment Nitric Oxide Dosing, Supplement Products, And Safety Considerations Autoimmunity, Macrophage Signaling, And Immune Dysfunction Environmental Toxicity, Detoxification, And The Body's Natural Repair Processes The Oral Microbiome, Mouthwash, Fluoride, And Nitric Oxide Production COVID-19, Respiratory Infections, And Controversial Claims About Disease Prevention   More from Dr. Nathan S. Bryan: Website: n1o1.com Instagram: @drnathansbryan LinkedIn: Nathan Bryan Facebook: N1o1 by Pneuma Nitric Oxide Youtube: Dr Nathan Bryan Nitric Oxide Get Dr. Nathan S. Bryan's Book: The Secret Of Nitric Oxide Get Dr. Nathan S. Bryan's Products: n1o1.com/shop   Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube