For years we have been told that our genes determine our health. If something "runs in the family," many people assume it is only a matter of time before they face the same diagnosis. But what if that belief is only part of the story?

In this episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia explore the science of epigenetics and explain how your daily choices influence how your genes express themselves. From nutrition and stress to sleep, mindset, and environment, the body is constantly receiving signals that either support health or contribute to disease.

Dr. Carling shares personal stories about changing her own health trajectory despite strong family patterns of obesity, thyroid disorders, and cardiovascular disease. She explains why a genetic predisposition does not mean a guaranteed outcome and how consistent lifestyle changes can shift your future in powerful ways.

This episode offers a hopeful reminder that you are not a victim of your genetics. With intentional choices, you can influence how your body functions and support long-term health and vitality.

In this episode:

• Why genes are not a fixed blueprint for your future

• The role of epigenetics in shaping health outcomes

• How nutrition, stress, sleep, and lifestyle influence gene expression

• Why family patterns often reflect shared habits rather than destiny

• How positive thinking and emotional health affect inflammation and healing

• The importance of real food, movement, rest, and stress management

• How acupuncture and holistic care support healthy gene expression

• Shifting from a mindset of inevitability to empowerment

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

In this powerful testimonial episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia share the story of a woman who had reached a breaking point. She was exhausted, emotionally numb, unable to sleep, and felt disconnected from joy and meaning in her life. After trying conventional medications without relief, she turned to holistic care and experienced profound changes in a short period of time.

Dr. Carling and Alicia explore what this story reveals about the true roots of what is often labeled as "depression." They discuss how emotional fatigue, nutrient depletion, lack of sleep, and chronic stress can drain the body's ability to produce healthy brain chemistry. Dr. Carling explains how nutrition, acupuncture, rest, and compassionate care help the body and mind heal together.

This episode is a reminder that healing is possible when we treat the whole person and address the underlying mechanisms, not just the symptoms.

In this episode:

• A moving testimonial of recovery from emotional numbness and exhaustion

• Why depression is often rooted in fatigue, sleep deprivation, and nutrient deficiencies

• How medications can flatten emotions instead of restoring joy

• The role of fats, protein, minerals, and whole foods in brain health

• Why acupuncture helps rewire the brain and support emotional balance

• How small lifestyle changes can restore energy and resilience

• The importance of being seen, heard, and cared for in the healing process

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

Sweeteners are everywhere, but not all of them affect the body the same way.

In this episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia break down how refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, and even some so-called natural sweeteners quietly disrupt blood sugar, immunity, digestion, mood, and metabolism. Dr. Carling explains why sugar behaves like a physiological toxin in the body, how artificial sweeteners confuse insulin and gut bacteria, and why marketing terms like "low glycemic" do not always tell the full story.

You will also learn which sweeteners can be used more safely in moderation, why taste buds can be retrained, and how acupuncture helps reduce sugar cravings by stabilizing blood sugar, calming stress, and supporting digestion.

This episode offers clarity, balance, and practical guidance without fear-based food rules.

In this episode:

• Why refined sugar acts as a physiological disruptor

• How sugar spikes insulin, cortisol, inflammation, and cravings

• The impact of sugar on immune function and illness risk

• Why artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose backfire

• How artificial sweeteners alter gut bacteria and metabolic stability

• The truth about agave and highly refined stevia

• Which natural sweeteners are better choices in moderation

• Why nutrients matter when choosing sweeteners

• How taste buds adapt when refined sugar is removed

• How acupuncture helps regulate cravings, stress, digestion, and energy

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

As we head into 2026, many of us are thinking about goals: what to improve, what to let go of, and how to live better. But what if the real question isn't how long we live, but how well we live?

In this episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia shift the conversation from lifespan to healthspanL the number of years you live with vitality, independence, mental clarity, and joy. Dr. Carling explains why modern medicine has extended lifespan without protecting quality of life, and how inflammation, nutrition, stress, and mindset quietly determine how we age.

You'll learn how acupuncture, real food, emotional resilience, and intentional thinking can slow decline, restore balance, and help you build a future where strength, clarity, and purpose last well into later decades.

This episode is a powerful invitation to rethink your 2026 goals, not as resolutions, but as investments in your future self.

In this episode:

• The difference between lifespan and healthspan and why it matters

• Why many people spend their final years managing illness instead of enjoying life

• How inflammation quietly accelerates aging

• The role of acupuncture in regulating inflammation, circulation, hormones, and stress

• Why nutrition at the cellular level shapes long-term vitality

• How mindset and emotional health directly influence aging

• Why purpose, joy, and curiosity protect brain and immune health

• How to reframe goals around vitality instead of restriction

• A simple framework: repair, restore, and reinforce

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

Herniated discs are painful, frustrating, and surprisingly common, but what most people don't realize is how closely disc health is tied to lifestyle, nutrition, posture, and overall inflammation.

In this episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia break down the different types of herniated discs, why they happen, and how disc degeneration develops over time. Dr. Carling explains the major contributors such as dehydration and poor nutrition to smoking, inactivity, excess sugar, and spinal misalignment, and why supporting collagen, hydration, and nutrient density is essential for long-term disc health.

You'll also learn how acupuncture works to reduce inflammation, relieve nerve compression, improve circulation, and support true healing rather than simply masking symptoms.

In this episode:

• The four main types of herniated discs and how they present

• Why aging is not the only cause of disc degeneration

• The role of hydration, protein, vitamins, and minerals in disc repair

• How sugar accelerates collagen breakdown and joint degeneration

• Lifestyle factors that weaken discs (posture, smoking, inactivity, obesity)

• Nutrient deficiencies that impact bone, disc, and connective-tissue integrity

• How acupuncture reduces inflammation, pain, muscle tension, and nerve irritation

• Why holistic care (acupuncture + nutrition + supplementation) supports long-term healing

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

We all know we're supposed to slow down when we eat… but does savoring your food actually change anything? According to Dr. Holly Carling: absolutely.

In this episode, Dr. Carling and Alicia take you deep into the science and sensory experience of savoring your meals. You'll learn how slowing down boosts dopamine, increases satisfaction, improves digestion, prevents overeating, and even strengthens emotional well-being.

Dr. Carling breaks down how the brain, taste buds, smell, texture, and even sound work together to create flavor and why savoring activates parts of the brain that fast eating never reaches. You'll also learn about umami, kokumi, and how richness, warmth, and mouthfeel influence satisfaction on a neurological level.

Whether you want to improve digestion, stop overeating, enjoy your favorite foods more fully, or build a healthier relationship with food, this episode will change the way you experience every bite.

In this episode:

• The neurological benefits of savoring: dopamine, reward pathways, memory, emotional balance

• How the gustatory cortex processes flavor (and why slowing down enhances it)

• Why aroma, texture, temperature, and even sound shape your eating experience

• What umami really is and how it helps food feel comforting and grounding

• The meaning of kokumi, the Japanese word for richness and deep satisfaction

• How savoring improves digestion through saliva, enzyme signaling, and taste-bud activation

• Why slowing down reduces bingeing and increases fullness cues

• How savoring can make "treat foods" less harmful and more satisfying

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

Migraines can take over your life leaving you unable to work, parent, or even think clearly.

In this inspiring testimonial episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia share one woman's story of lifelong migraines that began before kindergarten and how, after starting acupuncture and nutritional care, she experienced dramatic relief within just two months.

Dr. Carling explains why migraines are rarely caused by one single factor and what truly drives lasting healing. From liver and hormonal imbalances to toxicity and nerve compression, she unpacks how addressing the root causes, not just the pain, can transform quality of life.

You'll also hear why her gentle acupuncture style earned her the nickname "Angel Fingers," and why compassion and persistence matter as much as clinical skill in helping patients heal.

In this episode:

• A powerful testimonial from a migraine patient who found lasting relief

• Why migraines often begin early and why that matters

• The most common root causes: liver stress, hormones, toxicity, allergies, and neck issues

• The role of acupuncture and nutrition in restoring balance

• Dr. Carling's personal story of overcoming her own migraines

• What makes her gentle acupuncture technique so unique

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

Most people are turned off by organ meats, but if they weren't so good for you, Dr. Carling wouldn't recommend them. In this episode, Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia share why traditional cultures prized foods like liver, bone marrow, fish heads and roe, and bone broth, and how these time-tested foods can rebuild nutrient reserves, immunity, brain function, and more.

You'll learn practical ways to start (even if texture or taste is a hurdle), what to know about sourcing and safety (including the "liver filters toxins" concern), how to cook liver so it's actually pleasant, and why bone broth remains the world's #1 recovery food.

In this episode:

• Why organ meats are more nutrient-dense than muscle meat

• Sacred/sick foods across cultures (liver, marrow, fish heads/roe, fermented cod liver oils)

• Addressing the "liver stores toxins" myth and what to choose if grass-fed isn't available

• Bone broth benefits (gut, immunity, joints, skin, sleep) and a simple 4-day simmer method

• Best organs to start with (liver, heart, kidney, spleen, brain) + easy beginner recipes (pâté, liverwurst)

• Cooking tips: quick sear for liver, pairing with sauerkraut; heart as "muscle-like" gateway organ

• "Organ specificity": why eating an organ may support that organ's function

• Liver vs spinach: a quick nutrient comparison (B12, heme iron, choline, minerals)

For full show notes, resources and links head to: https://vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

The Vital Health for You Podcast is for everyone. Get to know us more by connecting with us at our website or on our Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this episode about specific products have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.