Radio Show / Podcast – April 19, 2026

Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell
A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life.

Presented by: Nutrition World

www.nutritionw.com

Production of: Whitfield Media Group

www.vitalhealthradio.com

Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio

www.noogadentistry.com

Episode topics preview:


Kidney health with clinical pharmacist Dr. Curt Dearing.
Histamines with naturopathic doctor Naomi.



Ed briefly shares:


Recent podcast (Holistic Navigator) with Jen from Whole Sun Mushrooms:


Humans share ~55% genetic similarity with mushrooms.
Focus on medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, reishi, turkey tail, chaga, lion’s mane).
Potential role in reducing microplastics in the body.
Ed’s daily use of Deep Immune Health Mushrooms (Whole Sun) – 3–4 caps/day.
Would add mushrooms as a “core 5” nutrient category for daily health.






Ed plugs Fire Hawk Herbicide:


Non‑glyphosate, non‑chemical herbicide.
Works by dehydrating plants rather than poisoning them.
Marketed as safer for pets and people; available at Nutrition World.

Introducing Naomi, ND (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) from:


National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR.
4‑year, pre‑med level naturopathic medical training.
Holistic, integrative approach from day one (not just “natural” weekends added to standard med school).



What is Histamine?


A messenger molecule produced by the body/immune system.
Classic role in allergy responses (swelling, itching, tissue “alert”).
Also used in stomach acid production.
Problems arise when there is more histamine than the body can break down and eliminate.



How the Body “Deals With” Histamine


Body uses enzymes to break down histamine so it can be eliminated.
Naomi’s “bucket” analogy:


Your body has a “histamine bucket.”
If breakdown capacity (enzymes + cofactors) is adequate, histamine never becomes an issue.
If capacity is impaired, histamine builds up, symptoms appear.

Food Sources of Histamine


Many foods (including healthy ones) are high in histamine or affect histamine breakdown:


High/aged/fermented: wine, cheese, yogurt, leftovers, slow‑cooked/aged foods.
Healthy but histamine‑implicated: citrus, avocado, tomato, eggplant, spinach.



Key point: It’s not the food’s “fault” alone, but how impaired your system is at handling histamine.



Why Foods Bother You Sometimes and Not Others


During high pollen season, the histamine bucket is already partly full.
Adding histamine‑rich foods then can tip you over into symptoms.
People may feel confused:


A food may only bother them sometimes – often due to context (season, pollen, stress, hormones).






Histamine vs Allergy


Histamine is involved in true allergies (including anaphylaxis).
But histamine from food does not necessarily mean a true immune allergy to that food.



Gut Microbiome’s Role


Changes in the gut microbiome alter how you handle histamine.
Even “good” bacteria can be histamine‑producing.
Some people take probiotics and feel worse (bloating, diarrhea) because they may have too many histamine‑producing strains.



High estrogen status:


Increase histamine.
Compete for the same detox tools (magnesium, active B6/P‑5‑P, etc.).
This can:Raise histamine and simultaneously reduce capacity to break it down.

Acute Symptom Relief Strategy


Example: Clint has severe pollen issues, wants to feel better now.
Two‑pronged approach:


Keep histamine production/release low.
Increase breakdown/elimination.






Stabilizing Mast Cells (Reduce Histamine Dumping)


Mast cells store histamine; when triggered, they “degranulate” and dump it.
Overactive mast cells lower the threshold for reactions.
Natural mast cell stabilizers: Quercetin, Nettle and Vitamin C.



Supporting Histamine‑Breaking Enzymes (Elimination)


Key nutrients for histamine‑degrading enzymes:


P‑5‑P (active B6).
Pantothenic acid (B5).
Copper.
Magnesium.
B12 and folate.



Practical:


A good B‑complex as a base.
Often add extra B6 and B5 for targeted histamine support.



Note on B‑complex:


Works better than single isolated B’s because B vitamins are synergistic.
Take with food to avoid nausea; high single doses (e.g., B12) may feel jittery for some.






DAO Enzyme for Food‑Related Histamine


Enzyme that helps break down food‑derived histamine in the gut.
Naomi and Ed:


See it as a useful test tool or short‑term support if symptoms seem food‑driven.
Not a full long‑term solution; usually means the “bucket” is full from other causes too.

Histamine can present as more than sinus/allergy issues:


Anxiety, joint pain, heartburn, high blood pressure, etc.
Because histamine receptors are distributed all over the body.



Naomi’s Practice & Availability


Practice: Alma Holistic Wellness


Website: almaholisticwellness.com
Location: Rossville, GA, ~15–20 minutes from Nutrition World.
Offers in‑person and virtual visits.
Does testing and detailed individualized plans.



At Nutrition World:


Typically present Wednesdays and Saturdays (most weeks).
Available to answer questions in‑store.

Introducing Dr. Dearing: Clinical pharmacist with decades of experience:


Pharmacy degree and residency from Mercer (Atlanta).
Clinical work at Grady Health System (Atlanta).
Returned to Chattanooga in 1997.
Now on staff at Nutrition World (since mid‑2024)



Why Kidney Health Matters


Declining kidney function (e.g., lower GFR) is common with age.
Often the “death organ” when it fails in later life.
Building kidney reserve is like building endurance capacity:



What Do Kidneys Actually Do?


Kidneys are the body’s filter & sorter:


Filter everything through.
Send everything out, then re‑absorb what’s needed (e.g., sodium, potassium, glucose).






Many drugs are quietly stressing kidneys over time.

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)


Block prostaglandins:
Good: Less inflammation and pain.
Bad:


Prostaglandins protect kidney blood flow.
Less prostaglandins → reduced kidney perfusion.



NSAIDs kill ~60,000 people/year, mainly via GI bleeding; kidney damage is also a concern.
“Triple Whammy” risk: NSAID + ACE inhibitor (e.g., lisinopril) + diuretic = high kidney risk.



Antibiotics


Directly injure kidney tissue (especially with long use and dehydration).
Form crystals that block flow in kidney structures.
Some IV antibiotics are so kidney‑toxic they’re only used in‑ hospitals, with pharmacists monitoring labs and adjusting doses.



Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid


Intended for short‑term use, but often taken long‑term.
Over time, they significantly increase risk of chronic kidney disease.



Blood Pressure Meds: ACE Inhibitors & ARBs


Generally considered renal protective.
But in a subset of patients, they can worsen kidney function, so monitoring is key.



Diuretics


Can lead to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, both hard on kidneys.



GLP‑1 Agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.)


Create risk of: Electrolyte imbalance & dehydration, which can injure kidneys.



Contrast Dyes (Imaging) & Laxatives


Contrast dyes used in imaging can be nephrotoxic, especially in susceptible individuals.
Strong laxatives can cause dehydration, lowering kidney perfusion.

Dr. Deering recommends:

Every 6 months, review your full med list with your doctor.
He offers medication reviews at Nutrition World:


Looks for unnecessary meds.
Proposes “green pharmacy” (nutraceutical) alternatives where appropriate.

PPI Tapering Program


Growing demand: at least one consult/week just for getting off PPIs.


Step 1: Renew the gut (microbiome support, lifestyle changes).
Step 2: Educate on diet/lifestyle for reflux.
Step 3: Slow taper of PPI (often 1–2+ months).


Goal: restore function instead of long‑term acid suppression.









Lab Monitoring


For ACE inhibitors:


Should check kidney function (GFR/creatinine) at baseline and ~1 month after start.
Often overlooked in routine practice.



Ed also plugs affordable labs via Be Well Labs for self‑advocacy.

Core Lifestyle


Hydration: Absolutely central; dehydration is a common kidney stressor.
Electrolytes: Help retain water rather than just urinating it out quickly.
Plant‑rich diet: More plants, less highly processed food.
Avoid protein overload: Very high protein long term can strain kidneys in some people.



Kidney‑Supportive Herbs & Nutrients


Dandelion root, parsley, celery seed, beets.
Dedicated kidney formulas 
N‑Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): Supports liver detox, lungs, brain, and also kidneys by reducing toxic load.
Nettle leaf: Good for allergies (as Naomi said) and also kidney support.
CoQ10: Supports mitochondria, beneficial for kidneys as high‑energy organs.
Astragalus root: Immunomodulatory and supportive for kidney tissue.
Case example:


Dr. D’s son‑in‑law had blood in urine.
Used a comprehensive kidney support protocol (herbs/supplements).
Hematuria resolved quickly; still saw a nephrologist for proper evaluation.

Ed shares:


He maintains hearing aids more for cognitive health than hearing comfort.
Poor hearing forces the brain to overwork decoding sounds, leaving less capacity for higher‑level thinking.
Advocates proper hearing care as part of brain health.



Ed references a behavioral immunology perspective:


People who talk to themselves out loud often show:


Lower cortisol (~35% drops observed).
Fewer chronic illnesses and burnout.



Suppressed, unexpressed emotions are treated by the body like a toxin.
Verbalizing inner thoughts can down‑regulate stress and support immune balance.

The post Radio Show / Podcast – April 19, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.