Common-Sense Wellness

Your hormones aren't the problem. Your foundation is.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses the root causes of hormonal imbalance and chronic symptoms in women with integrative health practitioner and eCornell Certified Nutritionist Mikayla Mersereau. Mikayla explains how gut health, adrenal function, and nervous system regulation form the upstream foundation that hormones depend on, and why treating hormones directly without fixing the foundation rarely leads to lasting results. She walks through how functional lab testing, including organic acid tests and hair tissue mineral analysis, uncovers hidden root causes that standard blood work misses entirely. The conversation also explores the emotional dimension of healing, including how timelines of life events, bitterness, and self-worth are often the missing pieces in a woman's recovery.Key Takeaways:→ Your sex hormones are way downstream: healing must start with gut health, B vitamins, and nervous system support before hormonal balance is even possible.→ Functional lab testing looks for optimal ranges, not just "normal," and uncovers hidden root causes like mold exposure, mineral deficiencies, and yeast overgrowth that standard blood work misses.→ A two to three week liver detox often produces dramatic hormonal improvements before lab results are even back, because the liver is essential for clearing excess estrogen.→ Your body is like a rain barrel: when it overflows with accumulated stressors like toxins, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep, and unresolved emotional triggers, symptoms appear.→ Eating a nutrient-dense breakfast every morning is one of the most powerful and overlooked steps a woman can take to stabilize her hormones, energy, and cortisol throughout the day.Mikayla Mersereau is an Integrative Health Practitioner (Level 1 & 2), eCornell Certified Nutritionist, and founder of Modern Holistic Wellness. After 16+ years working behind the scenes in emergency medicine and trauma care, Mikayla left conventional healthcare to pursue a root-cause approach to healing. Trained in functional lab interpretation, muscle testing, hormone health, gut function, detox, and metabolic repair, she now works virtually with women across the country — helping busy moms and women reclaim their energy, balance their hormones, and resolve chronic symptoms that conventional medicine has left unanswered. Her approach blends modern functional science with integrative medicine, meeting each client where they are and building a plan that fits their real life.Connect With Mikayla Mersereau:Website: https://modernholistic.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/modern.holistic.wellness/

Your blood can look perfect while your body is quietly falling apart.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses why prevention has always been the foundation of his nearly 50-year career in natural health. He explains that blood work is the last place problems show up, making urine and saliva testing an essential early warning system. Using the striking case of a mother of 12 children whose sugars and minerals had been critically depleted, Dr. Martin illustrates how years of stress and demand silently drain the body's resources. He breaks down how getting sugars and salts into the "magic zone" on the BIA balance chart is the single most important first step anyone can take toward restored energy and health.Key Takeaways:→ The body will rob Peter to pay Paul for years before anything shows up in blood work, which is why waiting for abnormal blood results means you are already far behind.→ A mother of 12 had sugars below perfect on the BIA, showing how repeated pregnancies and chronic demand strip the body of the minerals that power adrenal and thyroid function.→ Low sugars on the BIA signal mineralization deficiency, and the hair mineral analysis can confirm exactly which minerals need replenishing.→ Getting your sugars and salts into the zero to plus-two range on the balance chart is the most important first step, because everything else the body needs to do depends on proper hydration.→ You do not really know what you are doing with the BIA until you have seen 1,000 tests, which is why testing yourself regularly is the fastest way to learn.Connect With Dr. Gary Martin:Website: https://biri.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonsense.wellness/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584201081424LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-martin-962403397/

A 1989 test result holds the key to understanding why so many people today are tired, in pain, and running out of breath.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses a 1989 BIA case study of a 57-year-old man with bronchial problems, high salts, chronic fatigue, and stomach pain, walking through exactly how each number points directly to its cause. He explains why high salt in the blood acts like sharp crystals on artery walls, triggering the cholesterol response that leads to heart attacks and strokes, and connects the ammonia nitrogen reading directly to pain and acid accumulation throughout the body. Dr. Martin unpacks the critical difference between using lemon water and phenomenal water for pH management, explaining when each helps and when each makes things worse. He closes with the reminder that until the sugar and salt numbers are corrected, nothing else will work.Key Takeaways:→ High salts in the blood behave like sharp crystals scraping artery walls — the liver secretes cholesterol to patch the damage, arteries narrow, and eventually you have a heart attack or stroke — high mucus production is the body's first warning signal.→ A high ammonia nitrogen reading tells you acid is floating in your system, and when your urine pH is not acid at the same time, you are not eliminating that acid — a setup for chronic pain, kidney stones, and inflammation.→ When metabolism efficiency falls below 50%, more than half of everything you eat converts to toxic waste the body must process out, which is why so many cases of chronic fatigue are actually a chemistry problem, not a disease.→ Lemon water pulls pH down while phenomenal water pushes it up — never use phenomenal water when urine pH is already above 6.5, or you risk pushing it dangerously higher; you need a meter to know which one your body actually needs.→ The sugar gap — the difference between where your sugars should be and where they are — reveals adrenal weakness, and until that gap is closed through proper hydration, no supplement, food, or protocol will produce lasting results.Connect With Dr. Gary Martin:Website: https://biri.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonsense.wellness/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584201081424LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-martin-962403397/

Your body already has everything it needs to heal itself — the question is whether you're listening to it.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses the ancient science of Chinese medicine and its profound impact on women's health and fertility with licensed acupuncturist and herbalist Tsao Lin Moy. Tsao explains how her integrative approach addresses the root causes of imbalance rather than masking symptoms, and why stress hormones are the single biggest disruptor of reproductive health. She shares compelling research showing acupuncture was ranked the number one most effective treatment for post-9/11 anxiety, and how Eastern and Western medicine are finding surprising common ground. Together, they explore the underrated power of interoception and self-awareness as the true foundation of lasting healing.Key Takeaways:→ Your body is a self-healing organism, and stress is the number one obstacle standing between you and optimal health.→ Conventional medicine often misses the cyclical nature of women's physiology, leading to overlooked root causes of fertility challenges.→ Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing inflammation and creating the ideal internal conditions for conception and recovery.→ Interoception — your ability to sense and interpret your body's internal signals — is a learnable skill that transforms how you make health decisions.→ Waiting until you feel sick to seek care puts you on a path of climbing back to stability rather than achieving true, lasting wellness.Tsao-Lin Moy, L.Ac., MSOM is a highly skilled practitioner of Alternative and Chinese Medicine, specializing in women's health. With over 24 years of experience, Tsao is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and massage therapist, and the founder of Integrative Healing Arts in NYC. She combines acupuncture, herbal medicine, energy healing, and traditional wisdom—including Feng Shui and the Chinese Zodiac—to support health, wellness, and longevity. Tsao's specialties are with women's health, fertility, pelvic floor health, pain anti-aging, menopause, stress, immunity, and sleep. She is also the bestselling author of "Will I Ever Get Pregnant? The Smart Woman's Guide to Get Pregnant Naturally Over 40." Passionate about empowering her patients with ancient knowledge, Tsao (CHO) helps them make informed choices for a balanced and healthy life. She has also completed specialized training in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies, is trauma informed and offers plant medicine integration. Additionally, she is a breathwork facilitator providing both individual and group sessions. A contributor for mindbodygreen, Tsao has been featured on Dr OZ, TheListTV, Good Day New York, WNET MetroFocus, and quoted in publications like Well+Good, Glamour, WebMD, Askmen, Insider, Parenthood, Eat This Not That!, Parents, Best Life Online, MSN, Authority Magazine, Health, Healthline, Medium, & Thrive Global.Connect With Tsao Lin Moy:Website: https://www.integrativehealingarts.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativehealingartsnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeHealingArtsNYLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsao-lin-moy

Your hair is telling a story about your bones that your doctor isn't reading.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to natural health and why figuring out the "why" behind your symptoms is always more valuable than chasing a fix. He explains how calcium migrates out of bones and into tissues, joints, arteries, and even the brain when the body senses stress — showing up in hair mineral analysis long before symptoms become serious. Dr. Martin walks through a real COVID patient's BIA results live, demonstrating how urine and saliva testing can identify exactly which organs are under siege. He reveals how your pH balance is the master driver behind nearly every chronic health complaint, and why the ratios and zones report pinpointed the lungs as the primary problem in a matter of minutes.Key Takeaways:→ No supplement fits everyone — knowing your body chemistry through BIA and hair mineral analysis is the only way to choose the right calcium for your specific pH profile, because the wrong one will make your numbers worse.→ High calcium on a hair mineral analysis is a serious warning sign: your body is under stress, mobilizing calcium out of bones and into tissues, joints, arteries, and the brain, setting the stage for arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cognitive decline.→ Allopathic medicine treats symptoms by creating a bigger problem elsewhere in the body to divert attention — it suppresses what the body is trying to express rather than addressing the root cause.→ The BIA's ratios and zones report can identify which specific organs and glands are struggling, as demonstrated in real time with a COVID patient whose lungs showed up as the primary problem area with a single score.→ pH balance is the master driver of health — your urine and saliva pH together tell the story of where your body is, and when you learn to read them, you stop guessing and start solving.Connect With Dr. Gary Martin:Website: https://biri.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonsense.wellness/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584201081424LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-martin-962403397/

The missing link in your health journey might not be a supplement — it's hiding in your kitchen.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses the ancient wisdom of traditional food preparation with Dr. Sarica Cernohous, a licensed acupuncturist and nutrition expert. Dr. Cernohous explains how soaking, fermenting, and sprouting foods removes anti-nutrients and makes them far more bioavailable to the body. They explore how a weakened digestive system, viewed through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine, directly contributes to brain fog and chronic fatigue. The conversation also covers how modern biometric tools like the BIA can validate and personalize ancient food practices for measurable, real-world health improvements.Key Takeaways:→ Soaking, sprouting, and fermenting foods removes anti-nutrients and makes them significantly more bioavailable — your ancestors knew this long before modern science did.→ Starting your day with only coffee and no food creates blood sugar instability that drives afternoon crashes, poor sleep, and a vicious cycle of fatigue.→ Taking 20-plus supplements a day is no substitute for foundational nutrition built on traditionally prepared whole foods.→ In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a weakened digestive fire directly causes brain fog, lymphatic stagnation, and chronic fatigue.→ Biometric testing like the BIA can reveal hidden imbalances — including inflammation driven by blood sugar that is too low, not too high.Dr. Sarica Cernohous, DACM, L.Ac. is a nationally-certified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese-style acupuncture, and herbal medicine. She is the author of The Funky Kitchen and creator of The LAPIS Method, a personalized weight-optimization and lifestyle program. A board member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, she has also served as an instructor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and runs a nutrition and wellness consulting practice through Harmonizing Healthcare.Connect With Dr. Sarica Cernohous:Website: naturallylivingtoday.comLinkedIn: Dr. Sarica Cernohous, L.Ac.

Most people have no idea their body is quietly breaking down—and a simple urine and saliva test could tell them exactly why.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin discusses the transformative power of biological testing—urine, saliva, and hair mineral analysis—with Dr. Suzanne Humphries, a board-certified nephrologist and co-author of *Dissolving Illusions*. Dr. Humphries shares her remarkable journey from conventional hospital medicine to independent holistic practice, sparked by patients developing kidney failure after routine vaccinations. Together they explore how simple measurements of salt, sugar, and pH can uncover hidden health crises that mainstream medicine routinely overlooks. Dr. Humphries also reveals how therapeutic hydration, fasting, and stress reduction reversed her own fatty liver and restored her health from the inside out.Key Takeaways:Dr. Suzanne Humphries walked away from a thriving nephrology career after hospital administrators refused to stop vaccinating her kidney-failure patients before she could even evaluate them, setting her on a path of independent research and holistic healing.Nearly every patient who walks through the door has dangerously high salts and sugars—and even a single meal at a "healthy" organic restaurant can send those numbers into crisis territory, as one long-term cancer survivor discovered firsthand.Dehydration is far more widespread and dangerous than conventional medicine acknowledges, and a simple therapeutic water regimen—prescribed like a medication—can resolve issues that hospitals would have treated with anticoagulants and invasive procedures.Hair tissue mineral analysis routinely reveals toxic metals and mineral imbalances that standard blood tests miss entirely, providing a critical window into long-term health risk before symptoms become life-threatening.Dr. Humphries reversed her own non-alcoholic fatty liver—confirmed by ultrasound—purely through stress reduction, stopping late-night eating, and therapeutic hydration, demonstrating that the same tools she uses with patients work just as powerfully on herself.Dr. Suzanne Humphries is a private medical consultant with specialties in internal medicine, nephrology, and holistic medicine. She is co-author of Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History, and has lectured throughout Scandinavia, the USA and New Zealand on vaccines, holistic health, infant immunity, and vitamin C. Many of her lectures are viewable on her Oddysee channel. Epigenetics, infectious diseases, and the human microbiome are other areas of interest. She is also a RBTI practitioner.Connect With Dr. Suzanne Humphries:Website: https://drsuzanne.net/

Most people are walking around chronically dehydrated—and until that changes, almost every other health strategy will fall short.In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Martin explains why hydration is the “first domino” for nearly every aspect of health. He breaks down how ORP readings, hydrogen water, and bio-impedance analysis can reveal whether the body is properly hydrated or stuck in oxidative stress. The conversation explores how consistent, small amounts of water throughout the day help regulate salt, sugar, and acidity levels in the body. Dr. Martin’s message is simple: fix your hydration first, or almost every other health effort is working against the current.Key Takeaways:Proper hydration is the foundation of health, influencing everything from metabolism to cellular function.Drinking small amounts of water consistently throughout the day is more effective than consuming large amounts at once.Hydrogen-infused water may help improve the body’s oxidation-reduction balance and support cellular health.Bio-impedance analysis can reveal hydration status through key markers like salt, sugar, and ammonia nitrogen levels.Managing acidity in the body is essential, because everyday stress, activity, and metabolism constantly produce acid that must be eliminated.Connect With Dr. Gary Martin:Website: https://biri.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonsense.wellness/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584201081424LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-martin-962403397/

Discover the surprising ways your body’s protein metabolism can be measured and understood. In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Martin explains how protein metabolism is measured, walking listeners through the lab process from a single drop of urine to the color-coded readings that reveal nitrate and ammonia levels. With clear explanations, memorable metaphors like “blue is the sky, yellow is the Earth,” and practical tips, he makes a complex procedure accessible and engaging, giving listeners a clear view of what really happens to the protein in their bodies. Key Takeaways: Dr. Martin demonstrates how a single drop of urine can reveal protein metabolism. He explains the role of Universal Extracting Solution in preparing the sample. Listeners learn how nitrate and ammonia readings are measured using color changes. Practical tips show how to handle reagents safely and avoid mistakes. Memorable metaphors like blue is the sky and yellow is the Earth help visualize the process. Dr. Martin discusses the potential future use of spectrometers to simplify measurements. Connect With Dr. Gary Martin: Website: https://biri.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonsense.wellness/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584201081424 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-martin-962403397/

Discover how one woman's journey through holistic health and self-awareness transformed her life, revealing powerful tools for healing beyond diet and exercise. In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Sherry Dinsmoor shares her journey to holistic health after a life-changing injury. Through Dr. Gary Martin's approach, combining BIA testing, Ayurvedic practices, and stress management, Sherry learned to address emotional and mental health alongside physical wellness. Her story highlights the power of self-awareness, testing, and practical wellness strategies for achieving lasting health and resilience at any age. Key Takeaways: Holistic Health and Healing: Sherry emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to health, addressing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. BIA Testing for Health Insights: The BIA test offers valuable feedback on stress, hydration, and metabolism, guiding personalized wellness plans. Emotional and Mental Health's Impact on Physical Wellness: Sherry explains how stress and mental patterns directly affect her physical health and healing process. Stress Management and Its Role in Healing: Managing stress through self-awareness has been key to improving Sherry's health and vitality. Ayurvedic Practices and Self-Care Tools: Sherry compares Ayurveda with Dr. Martin’s methods, appreciating the immediate feedback provided by tools like BIA testing. Personal Growth and Resilience Through Practical Wellness: Sherry’s journey shows how continuous learning and self-awareness support lasting health and resilience. Sherry Dinsmoor has spent her life studying natural and energetic healing—Ayurveda, Theta Healing, Kinesiology, Chinese Medicine, EFT, TFT—and also holds a degree in Health Science. After a serious fall at 60 injured her knee and shoulder, she began a deeper healing journey that led her to my practice. My common-sense, natural approach to wellness and Be Your Own Doctor courses brought together everything she’d learned. Now 72, Sherry continues to live with resilience and a passion for practical, holistic health.

It’s not willpower that holds you back—it’s the hidden patterns running your life. In this episode of Common-Sense Wellness, Dr. Gary Martin explores why lasting change isn’t about willpower—it’s about understanding the patterns that shape our lives. Drawing on decades of research with the BIA and insights from pioneers like Joseph Scognia Jr., he explains how our soul patterns, stress patterns, and invisible belief systems influence behavior, health, and personal growth. Listeners will discover why we hit plateaus, how resistance drives learning, and why recognizing your personal patterns is the key to unlocking the life you’re meant to live. Key Takeaways: • Change isn’t about trying harder—it’s about recognizing the patterns that shape your life. • Your body is your mind made visible, revealing how early experiences and beliefs influence behavior. • Soul patterns and stress patterns interact to create both challenges and opportunities for growth. • Invisible belief systems at the cellular level can hold you back, even when you think you’re doing everything right. • Resistance isn’t a roadblock—it’s the force that produces wisdom, learning, and life itself. • Understanding your personal “membrane chart” helps you see the recurring patterns that guide your choices. Connect With Dr. Gary Martin: Website: https://biri.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonsense.wellness/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584201081424 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-martin-962403397/

Do you ever feel like your body is trying to tell you something—but you don’t know how to listen? Welcome to Common Sense Wellness with Dr. Gary Martin—the show that helps you understand your body’s signals and take control of your health using practical, science-backed tools. Dr. Martin has spent more than 50 years in natural health care, seeing firsthand how simple testing—such as hair mineral analysis, urine and saliva testing, and facial scans—can reveal the root causes of fatigue, stress, and imbalance. Each week, we share real stories from clients and conversations with leading practitioners in holistic medicine — all designed to help you restore balance, boost energy, and thrive naturally.No hype, no confusion—just common sense wellness that works. Subscribe now and join us at BIRI.org to start your journey toward lasting health.