More exercise. Extra supplements. Cleaner eating. Sometimes the advice we rely on most can quietly work against the people we’re trying to help.

In this episode, Tracy Harrison discusses why functional medicine demands more than just protocols and good intentions. She shares real clinical scenarios where common strategies like high-intensity workouts or high-dose vitamin D can actually worsen symptoms when underlying issues like adrenal fatigue or oxidative stress are at play.

Tracy also challenges how we interpret lab markers. Is a high HDL level always a good sign? What do low liver enzymes really tell us? She connects the dots between nutrient status, metabolic patterns, and the subtle red flags that can get lost in standard lab reviews.

This episode moves through supplements, lab work, diet trends, and minerals with one constant thread: context matters. This is a practical, case-based reminder to pause, ask better questions, and treat the person, not the lab result or the trend.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 When “Healthy” Advice Makes Patients Worse

01:04 The Hidden Risks of Over-Exercising

10:10 Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Supplement Missteps

14:08 How to Read Lab Markers with More Precision

24:00 Metabolic Dysfunction Beyond Blood Sugar

29:02 Green Smoothies, Oxalates, and Gut Health

36:26 Recognizing Histamine Intolerance in Your Patients

41:06 Why More Iron Isn’t Always the Answer

45:34 Understanding Magnesium Forms and Deficiency

Links

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