You Were Made for Health!

In this final episode on metabolic syndrome, Dr. Jenski and I dive deep into the often-overlooked role of mitochondrial dysfunction and how it's truly at the core of so many chronic conditions. We talk toxins, medications, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and the surprising impact of things like seed oils and fasting on mitochondrial health. If you're feeling stuck in your health journey, this one’s packed with practical insight and eye-opening info.

W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

7 3

In this episode, Dr. Hartman and Dr. Jenski take a deep dive into the different conditions tied to metabolic syndrome—like diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and even cognitive decline—and how they approach them in a functional, root-cause way. We chat about why standard tests like A1C don’t tell the whole story, what upstream markers and lifestyle changes really make a difference, and how patients can actually reverse or dramatically improve these conditions. It’s a really insightful, down to earth conversation about looking beyond quick fixes and committing to foundational health.

W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

8 1

In this conversation with Dr. Christian Jenski, we take a deep dive into metabolic syndrome—what it really is and why it’s so much more than just high blood sugar or extra weight.

We talk about how it affects your body’s ability to make energy and how it connects to conditions like fatty liver, high blood pressure, and even sleep apnea. My hope is that this episode helps you see metabolic syndrome in a whole new light and why understanding it can be a game?changer for your health.

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I sat down with Denise, one of our courageous patients at Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine, to talk about her powerful healing journey—from facing cancer twice to navigating a complicated healthcare system and learning to trust her intuition along the way. Her story is raw, real, and full of wisdom for anyone feeling unseen or dismissed by traditional medicine. This is a conversation about resilience, listening to your body, and the life-changing potential of functional care.



W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

9 1

In this episode, Dr. Jenski and I are diving into the real-world solutions for better sleep—from how to actually fall asleep (and stay asleep) to what might be sabotaging your rest without you even realizing it. We cover everything from sleep hygiene tips and temperature hacks to deeper topics like dysautonomia, hormone imbalances, and even when medications (yes, even controversial ones) might have a role. If sleep feels elusive, this one’s for you.



Want to learn more about sleep?

Check out our blog: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=sleep



W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

9 0

Dr. Jenski and I are diving deep into something that's literally killing Americans - our national sleep crisis. We're breaking down the shocking truth that sleeping just 6 hours a night is equivalent to driving with 2 beers in your system, plus sharing our own personal wake-up calls about how chronic sleep deprivation nearly destroyed our health during medical training. If you think you can "sleep when you're dead," this conversation might just save your life by showing you why quality sleep isn't optional - it's essential.



Want to learn more about sleep?

Check out our blog: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=sleep



W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

4 0

Welcome to the wrap up episode of our 3?part dive into hormone optimization. In this episode, we walk through the practical, foundational lab panel I run—think cortisol curves, thyroid markers, nutrient levels, sex?hormone rhythms, gut health, glucose/insulin metrics—and why each piece matters. I also share my philosophy: medicine evolves, personalization is key, and the biggest wins often come from managing stress, sleep, detox, nutrition, and picking off the low?hanging fruit first.



Want to learn more about hormones? Check out our blog:https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=hormones



W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

10 2

In this episode, Dr. Jenski and I dive deeper into hormone optimization therapy—focusing on the “hormone hierarchy” and how systems like stress, thyroid, and sex hormones are all interconnected. We also explore often-overlooked pieces like the gut, detox pathways, and even the autonomic nervous system—and how addressing those can lead to powerful ripple effects in healing. If you’ve ever felt like your hormones were off but didn’t know where to start, this is a great foundation.



Want to learn more about hormones? Check out our blog:https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=hormones



W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

9 3

Today I'm sitting down with Dr. Jenski, to unpack one of the most confusing—and important—topics in modern medicine: hormones. In this episode, we dive into the history of hormone replacement therapy, how we got off track, and why true optimization goes far beyond just replacing what's low. This one's for anyone who's ever felt lost in the conversation around hormones.



Want to learn more about hormones? Check out our blog:https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=hormones



W H A T N E X T ?



If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below!

Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da



A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.



R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

15 18