Reversing Kidney Disease & Protecting Heart Health
Podcasts > The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston Podcast
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Welcome to The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston! In this episode, Dr. Pinkston is joined by Steven McConnell—lipidemiologist, founder, and CSO of Health Defenders—for a deep dive into root-cause solutions for kidney disease, cardiovascular health, and integrative medicine.
With over three decades of clinical background and research, Steven shares his inspiring personal journey and groundbreaking insights into reversing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).
In this episode, Dr. Pinkston and Steven discuss:
Root Causes of Kidney Disease: Why conventional staging with creatinine often misses early-stage disease and why testing Cystatin C and the Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) is critical.
The Thyroid & Kidney Connection: How acidosis and hormone leakage impact kidney function and GFR.
Cardiovascular & Lipid Links: The role of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], advanced lipid testing, and targeted interventions.
Targeted Therapies & Inflammation: The benefits and proper use of Niacin, Colchicine, and blood pressure management tailored for kidney health.
Actionable Protocols: Practical strategies for taking control of your health beyond conventional 12-minute doctor visits.
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