Historically, the field of psychiatry has mainly focused on prescriptive medications and psychotherapy. Though these modalities have saved lives and stabilized many patients, there are often modifiable, underlying root causes to consider. Shae Leonard, PA is a functional medicine physician’s assistant who has spent years changing people’s lives with her functional approach to mood disorders.

Today, we talk to Shae Leonard about the effects of nutrition, gut health, hormones, genetics, and movement on mental health.

 

Today on The Lab Report: 
4:35 Get to know Shae and her journey to functional psychiatry
8:00 The gut and other factors as root causes of mood disorders
12:00 Nutrients to optimize mental health
14:15 Using functional medicine testing
15:10 Genetics and epigenetics in mental health
18:20 HPA Axis, stress, sleep, and mood resiliency  
24:45 The Fireball

 

Additional Resources: 

Shae's Website

NutrEval

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: podcast@gdx.net.

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

Historically, the field of psychiatry has mainly focused on prescriptive medications and psychotherapy. Though these modalities have saved lives and stabilized many patients, there are often modifiable, underlying root causes to consider. Shae Leonard, PA is a functional medicine physician&rsquo;s assistant who has spent years changing people&rsquo;s lives with her functional approach to mood disorders.
Today, we talk to Shae Leonard about the effects of nutrition, gut health, hormones, genetics, and movement on mental health.
&nbsp;
Today on The Lab Report: 
<ul>
<li>4:35 Get to know Shae and her journey to functional psychiatry</li>
<li>8:00 The gut and other factors as root causes of mood disorders</li>
<li>12:00 Nutrients to optimize mental health</li>
<li>14:15 Using functional medicine testing</li>
<li>15:10 Genetics and epigenetics in mental health</li>
<li>18:20 HPA Axis, stress, sleep, and mood resiliency &nbsp;</li>
<li>24:45 The Fireball</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Additional Resources: 
<a href="https://shaeleonard.aspirebuilder.com/">Shae's Website</a>
<a href="https://www.gdx.net/product/nutreval-nutritional-test-plasma">NutrEval</a>
Subscribe, Rate, &amp; Review The Lab Report
Thanks for tuning in to this week&rsquo;s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.
Don&rsquo;t forget to <a href="https://www.gdx.net/">visit our website</a>, like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/genova.diagnostics/">Facebook</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/genova_gdx">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/genovadiagnostics/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/genova-diagnostics">LinkedIn</a>. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: <a href="mailto:podcast@gdx.net">podcast@gdx.net</a>.
And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.
Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

The world of medicine can be challenging. Clinicians and patients are always looking for more options, more effective treatments… and in the end, more answers. What if there was a way to practice medicine that digs deeper and offers a new perspective? Functional medicine focuses on addressing root causes of disease. At Genova Diagnostics we’ve watched this field evolve and grow for over 35 years….

We’ve not only adapted, we’ve led. Join us as we talk about functional medicine, laboratory testing, and optimizing health. Welcome to the Lab Report.

Functional Medicine, Specialty Lab Testing, and Integrative Therapeutics

The Lab Report

The Lab Report Podcast

A Functional Approach to Mood Disorders with Shae Leonard

The gut microbiome is more than just bacteria. It encompasses all organisms and genetic material including yeast, viruses, and archaea. It is a common belief that yeast in the GI tract needs to be eradicated. But not so fast.

In this episode, we focus on the mycobiome. We examine the dual roles of commensal and pathogenic yeast species within the GI tract, exploring how they influence immune signaling, metabolic function, and mucosal integrity. We also discuss emerging evidence linking fungal dysbiosis to conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, cancer, and systemic inflammation.

If you’re interested in the clinical science behind how yeast can support health – or contribute to disease - this episode explores a topic often overlooked in longevity medicine.

Today on The Lab Report: 
4:00 The Gut Mycobiome – needs a new name
6:40 Yeast vs. Bacteria
9:00 Development of the commensal mycobiome
11:00 The important role of yeast & their metabolites
15:25 Candida and Malassezia
18:45 Saccharomyces
21:05 Dietary influences and fermented foods
23:30 Question of the Day

If yeast grows out in culture on the GI Effects, what next?

Additional Resources:

GI Effects Stool Profile 

Microbiomix 

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: podcast@gdx.net.

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

The gut microbiome is more than just bacteria. It encompasses all organisms and genetic material including yeast, viruses, and archaea. It is a common belief that yeast in the GI tract needs to be eradicated. But not so fast.
In this episode, we focus on the mycobiome. We examine the dual roles of commensal and pathogenic yeast species within the GI tract, exploring how they influence immune signaling, metabolic function, and mucosal integrity. We also discuss emerging evidence linking fungal dysbiosis to conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, cancer, and systemic inflammation.
If you&rsquo;re interested in the clinical science behind how yeast can support health &ndash; or contribute to disease - this episode explores a topic often overlooked in longevity medicine.
Today on The Lab Report: 
<ul>
<li>4:00 The Gut Mycobiome &ndash; needs a new name</li>
<li>6:40 Yeast vs. Bacteria</li>
<li>9:00 Development of the commensal mycobiome</li>
<li>11:00 The important role of yeast &amp; their metabolites</li>
<li>15:25 Candida and Malassezia</li>
<li>18:45 Saccharomyces</li>
<li>21:05 Dietary influences and fermented foods</li>
<li>23:30 Question of the Day
<ul>
<li>If yeast grows out in culture on the GI Effects, what next?</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Additional Resources:
<a href="https://www.gdx.net/products/gi-effects">GI Effects Stool Profile </a>
<a href="https://www.gdx.net/products/microbiomix">Microbiomix&nbsp;</a>
Subscribe, Rate, &amp; Review The Lab Report
Thanks for tuning in to this week&rsquo;s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.
Don&rsquo;t forget to <a href="https://www.gdx.net/">visit our website</a>, like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/genova.diagnostics/">Facebook</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/genova_gdx">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/genovadiagnostics/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/genova-diagnostics">LinkedIn</a>. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: <a href="mailto:podcast@gdx.net">podcast@gdx.net</a>.
And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.
To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit <a href="https://connect.gdx.net/">Genova Connect</a>.
Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

The Gut Fungiome

The Thanksgiving holiday is more than just family, friends, food, and football. It is an opportunity to be reminded of the importance of gratitude. Although being thankful seems like just a nice moral platitude, gratitude interventions are shown to have surprisingly important clinical implications for our health.  

On today’s episode, we talk Thanksgiving ‘fun facts,’ gratitude interventions, and strategies to combat holiday season stress and weight gain.  

Today on The Lab Report:
3:10 Fun facts about Thanksgiving 
7:35 Gratitude interventions and health 
11:15 Strategies to prevent holiday weight gain 
14:30 Keto, Vegan, Carnivore, Omnivore holiday dinner menus 
16:45 Kitchen Cook-cophany! 

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. 

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: podcast@gdx.net.  

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.  

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.  

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.  

The Thanksgiving holiday is more than just family, friends, food, and football. It is an opportunity to be reminded of the importance of gratitude. Although being thankful seems like just a nice moral platitude, gratitude interventions are shown to have surprisingly important clinical implications for our health.  
On today’s episode, we talk Thanksgiving ‘fun facts,’ gratitude interventions, and strategies to combat holiday season stress and weight gain.  
Today on The Lab Report: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">3:10 Fun facts about Thanksgiving </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">7:35 Gratitude interventions and health </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">11:15 Strategies to prevent holiday weight gain </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">14:30 Keto, Vegan, Carnivore, Omnivore holiday dinner menus </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">16:45 Kitchen Cook-cophany! </li>
</ul>
Subscribe, Rate, &amp; Review The Lab Report 
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. 
Don’t forget to <a href="https://www.gdx.net/">visit our website</a>, like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/genova.diagnostics/">Facebook</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/genova_gdx">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/genovadiagnostics/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/genova-diagnostics">LinkedIn</a>. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: podcast@gdx.net.  
And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.  
To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit <a href="https://connect.gdx.net/">Genova Connect</a>.  
Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

Attitude of Gratitude [Rebroadcast]

Gut motility may be the most important and least discussed aspect of health. One vital part of gut motility is the Migrating Motor Complex. The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is the gut’s “street sweeper,” clearing food and bacteria to maintain intestinal homeostasis between meals. In this episode, we review its physiology, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical relevance – from SIBO to functional GI disorders – highlighting why this cyclical motility pattern matters for patient care.

Today you’ll meet the migrating motor complex: your gut’s built-in street sweeper that clocks in when you’re not eating. This behind-the-scenes cleaning cycle is essential to GI health!

Today on The Lab Report: 
3:20 Gut motility – peristalsis and segmentation
5:45 Migrating Motor Complex (MMC)
8:40 Motilin, serotonin, and the vagus nerve
11:15 Acidification of the small intestine and Motilin
13:25 Signaling the vagus nerve
16:20 MMC’s role in SIBO/IMO
17:50 Prokinetics and meal spacing
22:00 Question of the Day

What is the relationship between PPI’s and MMC?

Additional Resources: 

SIBO Breath Test

GI Effects Stool Profile

Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: podcast@gdx.net.

And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.

To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect.

Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

Gut motility may be the most important and least discussed aspect of health. One vital part of gut motility is the Migrating Motor Complex. The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is the gut&rsquo;s &ldquo;street sweeper,&rdquo; clearing food and bacteria to maintain intestinal homeostasis between meals. In this episode, we review its physiology, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical relevance &ndash; from SIBO to functional GI disorders &ndash; highlighting why this cyclical motility pattern matters for patient care.
Today you&rsquo;ll meet the migrating motor complex: your gut&rsquo;s built-in street sweeper that clocks in when you&rsquo;re not eating. This behind-the-scenes cleaning cycle is essential to GI health!
Today on The Lab Report: 
<ul>
<li>3:20 Gut motility &ndash; peristalsis and segmentation</li>
<li>5:45 Migrating Motor Complex (MMC)</li>
<li>8:40 Motilin, serotonin, and the vagus nerve</li>
<li>11:15 Acidification of the small intestine and Motilin</li>
<li>13:25 Signaling the vagus nerve</li>
<li>16:20 MMC&rsquo;s role in SIBO/IMO</li>
<li>17:50 Prokinetics and meal spacing</li>
<li>22:00 Question of the Day
<ul>
<li>What is the relationship between PPI&rsquo;s and MMC?</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Additional Resources: 
<a href="SIBO%20Breath%20Test">SIBO Breath Test</a>
<a href="https://www.gdx.net/products/gi-effects">GI Effects Stool Profile</a>
Subscribe, Rate, &amp; Review The Lab Report
Thanks for tuning in to this week&rsquo;s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review.
Don&rsquo;t forget to <a href="https://www.gdx.net/">visit our website</a>, like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/genova.diagnostics/">Facebook</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/genova_gdx">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/genovadiagnostics/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/genova-diagnostics">LinkedIn</a>. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: <a href="mailto:podcast@gdx.net">podcast@gdx.net</a>.
And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing.
To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit <a href="https://connect.gdx.net/">Genova Connect</a>.
Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.

A Functional Approach to Mood Disorders with Shae Leonard

In 1 playlist(s)

The Lab Report Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips