The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston

Join Dr. Pinkston and special guest Dr. Lesser from Magna Pharmaceuticals as they discuss the connection between the immune system, the common cold, and allergies (Upper Respiratory Symptoms, or URIs).

In this highly relevant episode, Dr. Lesser delves into:

• Myths and Facts surrounding the common cold, including debunking old wives' tales.

• The Four Stages of the common cold, from incubation to recovery.

• The profound ways that colds and allergies can impair cognitive function, sleep, mood, and relationships.

• The critical role of a strong immune system and the importance of being proactive with prevention and treatment.

• Preventative measures like hygiene, exercise (myokines), and the impact of sleep on immune restoration.

• Identifying the difference between cold and allergy symptoms, including the significance of mucus color.

• Appropriate treatments for symptoms, emphasizing when to use decongestants, mucolytics, and when antibiotics are not the answer.

Tune in to learn how an integrative approach, combining holistic health and contemporary medical information, can help you and your family navigate the cold and allergy season for a better life!

Join Dr. Pinkston and her esteemed guest, pharmacist and expert on anti-aging and metabolic health, Jim LaValle, as they dive into the science and benefits of Red Light Therapy, also known as photobiomodulation. They discuss how this non-invasive therapy works by utilizing specific wavelengths of light—ideally in the mid-600s and mid-800s—to stimulate collagen synthesis (for improved skin and anti-aging), boost nitric oxide production (for better circulation), and enhance ATP production (for increased cellular energy and mitochondrial health).

LaValle explains how the different wavelengths penetrate tissues, with the shorter waves targeting the skin and the longer, near-infrared waves (800s) penetrating deeper to help with inflammation, muscle soreness, and overall cellular repair. The discussion also covers:

• Optimal usage (timing and frequency) and best forms (whole-body beds/blankets vs. panels/masks).

• Potential benefits for conditions like fibromyalgia, post-exercise recovery, and skin issues like psoriasis.

• Crucial supplements to combine with red light therapy for maximized benefits, including NAD+ boosters (like Nicotinamide Riboside), CoQ10, Magnesium, collagen peptides (with Vitamin C), and Methylene Blue (USP grade).

• Important warnings, especially regarding photosensitizing medications and pre-existing conditions.

• New diagnostic tests, like the MeeScreen, for assessing mitochondrial health.

Learn how integrating this contemporary tool with foundational nutrition and lifestyle changes can improve longevity, vitality, and help you live The Better Life.

Join Dr. Pinkston for a vital conversation with Dr. Rose, a passionate children's advocate and educator with 40 years of experience. They discuss the critical need for an integrative approach to health and healing for children, especially those who have experienced trauma, abuse, and adverse childhood circumstances.

Dr. Rose shares her inspiring journey of personal healing and decades of professional work, from building schools in the inner city to teaching at the college level, emphasizing the resilience of children and the power of creative outlets like art in healing.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The powerful, often unseen, impact of trauma and anxiety that can be epigenetically transmitted from parent to child.

• The importance of self-healing for parents and the danger of "dumping" unresolved issues onto children.

• The crucial role of early childhood development (ages zero to five) and why a nation that neglects its children is a nation in peril.

• Insights into recognizing signs that a child is struggling, how to provide an outlet for them, and strategies to stop cycles of abuse and bullying.

• The challenges faced by teachers and the societal responsibility to establish policies that support educators and protect the most vulnerable.

Join Dr. Pinkston and returning favorite guest, Dr. Carolyn Dean, as they tackle the great confusion surrounding sugar and its profound impact on your health.

In this illuminating discussion, you'll learn:

• The Sugar-Heart Disease Connection: Discover the suppressed history of how the sugar industry successfully blamed fat for heart disease and the critical role of Vitamin C in preventing arterial damage.

• The Magnesium Link: Understand the biochemistry of how sugar metabolism depletes your body's essential magnesium stores and its direct connection to ATP energy production.

• Collagen & Scurvy: Hear how high sugar intake bumps off Vitamin C, which is vital for collagen production, potentially leading to weakened blood vessels (scurvy) and the mechanism of arterial plaque formation.

• The Addiction and Cravings Cycle: Explore why sugar is highly addictive, the role of yeast overgrowth (Candida) in cravings, and how nutrient depletion drives excessive eating.

• Artificial Sweeteners & Toxicity: Dr. Dean explains the dangers of many synthetic sweeteners, including how they break down into toxic compounds, and offers safer alternatives like Stevia and monk fruit.

• Peripheral Neuropathy Explained: Learn the fascinating (and terrifying) mechanism by which excess sugar transforms into sorbitol, which builds up inside cells and can lead to nerve damage.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the science behind sugar's toxicity and how an integrative approach—focusing on critical nutrients like Magnesium and Vitamin C—can help you achieve the "Better Life."

Five years after the pandemic began, the long-term impact of COVID-19—known as Long COVID—remains a controversial but crucial subject. In this episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston. Dr. Pinkston explores an integrative approach to understanding and addressing post-COVID complications, combining holistic and contemporary medical information.

She is joined by experts Robert Long and Dr. Hans Vink, who have conducted extensive research into the glycocalyx and microvascular function. They explain how the COVID-19 virus can severely damage this critical protective gel lining our blood vessels, leading to systemic inflammation, organ compromise, and a significantly increased risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes—even in otherwise healthy individuals.

Many patients have questions on the use of peptides. What are peptides and what are the most common peptides used as well as the safety and other concerns. BPC157 is one of the most common peptides that patients ask about. There are more but today, Ray Solano of PD Labs and I discussed peptide use and safety.

Chapters:

• 0:00 🎙️ Welcome to The Better Life & Guest Introduction

  • Dr. Pinkston welcomes the audience and introduces Ray Solano from PD Labs.

• 0:32 🧪 Understanding Peptides: Focus on BPC 157

  • Discussion on the confusion surrounding peptides and the powerful molecule BPC 157.

• 1:29 ⚠️ The Critical Issue of Peptide Sourcing and Quality

  • Ray Solano stresses the importance of knowing the source of peptides due to contamination risks.

• 2:57 🧬 What is a Peptide? The Building Blocks of Proteins

  • A peptide is defined as linked amino acids.

• 5:24 ✨ BPC 157: A Signaling Peptide for Healing

  • BPC 157 is described as a signaling peptide that tells the body to heal and reduce inflammation.

• 6:23 🎯 BPC 157 Applications: Injections, Nasal, and Oral Use

  • Ray explains how BPC 157 is used for different conditions (tendons, brain, GI tract).

• 6:51 ⚖️ BPC 157 Salt Forms: Arginate vs. Acetate

  • The difference between the less effective acetate salt and the more absorbable arginate salt is highlighted.

• 7:49 💊 Oral, Non-Prescription BPC 157 LPT Chewables

  • Discussion of the effective, non-prescription BPC 157 LPT nanosphere liposome chewable tablets.

• 11:18 🌿 The Power of Curcumin and the Anti-Inflammatory Pairing

  • Introducing curcumin and how it differs from NSAIDs, which stall the healing process.

• 11:48 🤝 Tetracure and BPC 157: A Powerful Pain-Stopping Combination

  • The synergy of high-quality curcumin (Tetracure) with BPC 157 for pain and healing.

• 12:46 🚨 Why Curcumin Quality Matters: Particle Size and Contaminants

  • Warning against low-quality curcumin supplements due to absorption issues and heavy metal risk.

• 15:11 🛑 The Difficulties in Treating Inflammation

  • The importance of slowing inflammation without arresting the healing process.

• 17:35 ⏳ Healing is a Process: Long-Term Changes Take Time

  • Dr. Pinkston emphasizes that long-term health issues require patience and a process.

• 18:05 👏 Compliment to Integrative Practitioners & BHRT Awareness

  • Ray Solano praises practitioners like Dr. Pinkston for using the best, evidence-based tools.

• 19:04 🤯 Pharmaceutical Push for Non-Hormonal Menopause Treatments

  • Discussion on the use of non-hormonal, antidepressant-like drugs for hot flashes.

• 21:29 💡 Dr. Pinkston's Integrative Health Awakening

  • Dr. Pinkston shares the personal journey that changed her approach to medicine.

• 23:30 🔄 Synthetic vs. Bioidentical Hormones Explained

  • The difference between synthetic hormones (progestins) and bioidentical hormones (identical structure, like Progesterone USP).

• 25:18 📈 Customization and Safety of Compounded Hormones

  • The crucial role of personalized dosing and the long history of safety for compounded hormones.

• 27:14 📞 How to Connect with PD Labs & Dr. Pinkston

  • Final contact information for PD Labs (pdlabsrx.com) and Dr. Pinkston's show archives (drpbetterlife.com).

• 28:38 🎧 Ray Solano Promotes 'Doctor Talks' Podcast

  • Ray Solano encourages listeners to check out PD Labs' free, science-based "Doctor Talks" podcast.

• 29:10 👋 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

Join Dr. Marianne Pinkston and guest Amber Abila, an adult binge eating coach and expert, for a deep dive into Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Dr. Pinkston shares her personal journey of gaining over 300 pounds, losing weight, and realizing she was struggling with an eating disorder later in life. Amber, who also overcame bulimia and binge eating, discusses how this disorder—only recognized in the DSM-5 in 2013—is often misunderstood as a "willpower problem." They explore the origins of the binge-restrict cycle, the power of mindset and habit change, and practical strategies to dismantle the shame, fear, and addictive patterns surrounding food. Learn the six pillars of Amber's coaching program, including how to sit with urges, develop an abundance mindset, and use celebration to rewire your brain for lasting change.

00:00 Introduction: The Better Life with Dr. Marianne Pinkston

00:32 Introducing Guest Amber Abila: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and its History

01:00 Dr. Pinkston's Personal Story: Realizing an Eating Disorder at 47

01:27 Amber's Story: The Dieting Origin of Binge Eating and Bulimia

02:54 The Shift from Therapy to Habit Research: Understanding Binge as a Habit

04:10 The First Binge and Purge: The Shame and Desperation of the Cycle

05:43 The "Aha!" Moment: Changing the Reaction to Triggers and Urges

07:08 Defining BED and Taking the First Step: Unshaming the Behavior

09:51 Tools for Awareness: The Simple Food Diary and Changing Mindset

10:45 How Thoughts Create Desire: The "Last Glass of Water" Analogy

12:10 Dr. Pinkston's Secret Binge: Stress, Pleasure, Guilt, and the Need for Support

14:16 The Crucial Role of Objective Support and Coaching

15:10 Amber’s Six Pillars of Freedom: Mindset, Moderation, and Urges

15:37 Pillar 2: Moderation & The Scarcity Mindset ("Enough is a Decision")

16:33 Pillar 3: Processing Urges by Grounding in Body Sensations

17:57 Pillar 5 & 6: Confidence, Body Image, and Shifting Identity

18:24 The Power of the Urge: Intermittent Reinforcement and Rewiring the Brain

19:19 The New Reward: Using Celebration as Neural Superglue

20:37 Binge Eating and the Addictive Cycle (Dopamine Surge)

21:57 Showing Yourself the Whole Story: Chapter One vs. Chapters Two Through Ten

23:50 Slowing Down: Mindful Binging and Noticing Negative Food Consequences

25:15 Distinguishing Overeating, Emotional Eating, and Binge Eating

26:42 The Role of Trauma in Eating Issues and When to Seek a Specialis

t28:36 Resources and Next Steps: Amber's Free Guided Urge Audio

Join host Dr. Pinkston and special guest, psychologist Tori Janae, for a powerful and transparent conversation on how past trauma and relationships shape our destructive connections with food. Dr. Pinkston, who once struggled with her own eating disorder and obesity, and Tori Janae, who shares her personal journey of healing generational trauma through addressing food addiction, dive deep into the emotional and psychological roots of disordered eating.

Discover why food becomes a source of comfort, the role of dopamine in the "eat, repent, repeat" addiction cycle, and why so many people struggle with guilt, shame, and self-sabotage. Learn practical, free tools rooted in an integrative approach to start your healing journey, including:

• Identifying the core psychological wounds (e.g., abandonment, guilt, people-pleasing) that drive addictive behaviors.

• The importance of self-awareness and how to use your triggers as teachers.

• Techniques to "finish the stress cycle" and down-regulate your nervous system using movement and Box Breathing (physiological sigh).

• The power of neuroplasticity and mind-body techniques like EFT Tapping to rewire your brain for safety and self-acceptance.

This episode offers profound insights and actionable steps to break free from the cycle of emotional eating and move toward The Better Life.

Chronic pain, especially low back pain, is a global struggle—but what if relief was just two minutes away? Dr. Marianne Pinkston welcomes Dr. Hélène Bertrand, a physician and innovator who shares her personal and professional journey to finding effective, integrative solutions for intractable pain.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The Two-Minute Low Back Pain Exercise: Dr. Bertrand details her personal 39-year battle with back pain and how she discovered a simple, two-minute technique to realign the sacroiliac (SI) joints in the pelvis, offering a 90% success rate for immediate relief. She even demonstrates how to self-check for SI joint displacement.

• Prolotherapy for Ligament Pain: Discover how a few simple injections of "sugar water" (dextrose/mannitol) can stimulate healing in loose ligaments, like those that stabilize the SI joints, ending chronic pain where traditional methods fail.

• A Breakthrough Pain Cream: Dr. Bertrand explains the science behind her innovative cream, which uses mannitol to block pain messages at the nerve level. Hear the compelling research that shows this cream provides a 53% average pain relief, significantly outperforming common over-the-counter and prescription medications.

• Practical Tools for Support: Learn about using a pelvic support belt and a donut cushion to maintain pelvic alignment and prevent pain flare-ups.

Connect with Dr. Bertrand:

• Her book: Low Back Pain: Three Steps to Relief in Two Minutes (available on Amazon).

• Her website for webinars and courses: no-pain.ca

• Resources to find Prolotherapy (Orthopedic Medicine) providers.

Disclaimer: As Dr. Pinkston advises, please consult your physician before starting any new treatment or making changes to your healthcare routine.

In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Marianne Pinkston and guest Ray Solano, owner of PD Labs, a compounding pharmacy, explore the intricate link between gut health and neurological well-being. They discuss how an integrative approach, combining functional medicine principles with modern therapeutics, can address the root causes of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. The conversation covers the impact of diet, genetics, and lifestyle on mental health, and introduces natural and compounded solutions like L-theanine, oxytocin, and BH4.

Chapters

    0:00 - 4:14: Introduction and the Problem with Conventional Solutions. Dr. Pinkston introduces Ray Solano and the topic of neurological problems. They discuss the rising rates of conditions like depression and ADD and argue that conventional medicine often only treats symptoms with pharmaceuticals, ignoring the root causes.

    4:14 - 8:40: The Gut-Brain Connection and Inflammatory Foods. Ray and Dr. Pinkston explain the direct link between gut health and brain function, highlighting how neurotransmitters are made in the GI tract. They emphasize that inflammatory foods like gluten, processed items, and alcohol can significantly impact mental health.

    8:40 - 13:28: The Role of Genetics and Foundational Treatments. The discussion shifts to the role of genetic predispositions (SNPs) and how lifestyle and diet can either turn these genes on or off. They introduce the importance of a holistic approach, viewing health as a puzzle with multiple pieces, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and gut health.

    13:28 - 19:38: Nutraceuticals and Hormonal Support. Dr. Pinkston and Ray detail natural, accessible remedies. Ray highlights L-theanine for its calming effects and introduces oxytocin, explaining its role in social bonding and mood elevation. They discuss its use as a compounded treatment for conditions like OCD and autism.

    19:38 - 25:22: The Power of Compounded Pharmaceuticals. The focus returns to specific, targeted solutions. Ray explains BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin), a pharmaceutical used to treat a specific genetic deficiency that impacts serotonin and dopamine production. They also discuss the compounding of natural thyroid medication and the importance of personalized medicine.

    25:22 - 30:40: Progesterone and Metabolic Dysfunction. The conversation broadens to include hormonal balance, with Dr. Pinkston highlighting progesterone's role in sleep and anxiety. They also discuss metabolic dysfunction, the prevalence of belly fat, and its link to hormonal disruption and chronic disease.

    30:40 - 34:25: Addressing ADD and Brain Inflammation. Dr. Pinkston and Ray focus on ADD and the importance of removing inflammatory foods from the diet. Ray introduces Synapsin, a compounded nasal spray containing RG3-Ginseng, as an effective tool for reducing brain inflammation associated with ADD and other neurological issues.

    34:25 - 39:05: Conclusion and Final Thoughts. Dr. Pinkston and Ray encourage listeners to seek professional support for their health issues. They emphasize the value of telehealth and the growing field of longevity medicine, which aims to fix underlying problems rather than just treating symptoms. They conclude by providing contact information for their respective websites and podcasts.

Visit my website: https://www.drpbetterlife.com/

Connect with me on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/pinkston4life
https://instagram.com/drmariannepinkston
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-pinkston-md-857ba069
https://twitter.com/pinkston4life
https://www.tiktok.com/@drmariannepinkston

In this episode, Dr. Laura, with her extensive knowledge and science-backed education, helps us separate fact from fiction about seed oils. Beyond the buzz and misinformation, she clarifies the real science behind acidity and alkalinity, giving you the truth without the hype. 

Visit my website: https://www.drpbetterlife.com/

Connect with me on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/pinkston4life

https://instagram.com/drmariannepinkston

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-pinkston-md-857ba069

https://twitter.com/pinkston4life

https://www.tiktok.com/@drmariannepinkston

Do you or someone you love struggle with unexplained fatigue, brain fog, pain, or a
""mystery illness"" that never seems to have clear answers? In this episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, Dr Amy Offutt, president of ILADS, dive deep into chronic complex illness—a condition that often hides behind vague symptoms yet impacts every aspect of daily life. ILADS.org 

In this inspiring episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, I welcome Tiffany Jones Smith—President of the Texas Kidney Foundation, Chair of the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, the first African American woman to hold these positions, and a chronic kidney disease patient herself. Tiffany shares her powerful journey and groundbreaking leadership, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, early diagnosis, and patient advocacy in kidney health. Together, we explore how patients can take an active role in their care and how hope and action can change the future of chronic kidney disease.

Thyroid therapies have come under scrutiny and Ray Solano of PDLABS and I discuss the therapies and options and explain why treatment is controversial. Dr Pinkston also makes a huge announcement on a new option for weight loss and integrative medical care.

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Long and Dr. Hans Vick to uncover the hidden drivers of high blood pressure. Beyond numbers on a blood pressure cuff, we explore how the microvascular system and the Glycocalyx, the intricate network of tiny blood vessels—plays a central role in hypertension and overall cardiovascular health. Together, we discuss cutting-edge insights and natural therapies such as Revasca, that go beyond symptom management to address the root causes, offering hope for sustainable healing and prevention.

Is your brain keeping you in pain? Rewire your brain and get relief from the root cause. In this episode, guest Brandon Day, All- American Linebacker and Sports Illustrated cover athlete with chronic pain history, uncovers the surprising role of brain signaling in chronic pain and why conventional treatments often fall short.Discover how root-cause medicine can reset the nervous system and offer new hope for chronic sufferers. 

Dr Marianne Pinkston is joined by Dr. William Hsu, Chief Medical Officer of L-Nutra, to explore a growing crisis: 93% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy, and for the first time in generations, our life expectancy is declining. Together, they uncover why conventional medicine and prescription-based approaches are falling short— and how science-backed nutrition and strategic fasting offer a realistic, attainable path to restoring metabolic health. If you're looking for hope beyond the prescription pad, this conversation delivers powerful insights that could change the trajectory of your health and our nation's future.

Skin health is a billion dollar industry and can be misleading. Peptide skin creams, retinol, hydration are the buzzwords that lead us to choose our regimen and products but like everything you know about the industry… any claim can be made. Age is just a number and there are less expensive ways to fight the clock and believe it or not prescription strength and formulations can be your answer. Ray Solano clears the air on skincare.

Have you wondered what drives our immune system to turn against us to cause inflammation and what solutions can you take to resolve and prevent diseases like neuropathy, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease and more. Dr Warren Lesser takes a deep dive through the nutrition and life changes needed to manage and prevent inflammation. Dr Lesser also discusses histamine disorders and sleep.

Dr Dean rises to the occasion and corners Candida and the mystical diagnosis ignored for so long. Leaky gut and autoimmune disease beware as Dr Dean and I bring this disorder to light with solutions on how to eradicate safely. She also expands on magnesium benefits and other nutritional building blocks for root cause management and prevention of disease.