
Unraveling Complex Chronic Illnesses: Mold, Lyme, Mast Cell Activation & More, with Dr. Kelly McCann
Autoimmune AlchemyShow Notes
In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, host Dr. Micah Yu speaks with Dr. Kelly McCann, an expert in internal medicine, functional medicine, and environmental medicine, about chronic illnesses and their root causes. Dr. McCann discusses the concept of total toxic load and how various factors such as mold exposure, chronic infections like Lyme disease, and environmental toxins contribute to complex chronic conditions. She explains the various symptoms and diagnostic challenges of these illnesses, particularly emphasizing the importance of early identification and personalized treatment. Dr. McCann also emphasizes the role of mind-body-spirit connection in the healing process and how trauma and emotional well-being can impact physical health. Additionally, the discussion covers hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), providing insights into their management and treatment. This episode serves as a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of chronic illnesses and how to navigate their complexity. Here are some time stamps to support you. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:25 Understanding Chronic Illnesses and Root Causes 02:08 The Concept of Total Load and Environmental Medicine 03:27 Mold and Mycotoxins: A Major Player 04:15 Chronic Infections and Their Impact 06:19 Environmental Toxins and Genetic Susceptibilities 07:36 Diagnosing and Treating Mold Toxicity 21:07 Mind-Body-Spirit Connection in Healing 23:27 Exploring Trauma and Emotional Healing 32:11 Energy Medicine and Self-Discovery 38:02 Lyme Disease and Co-Infections 39:48 A Family's Lyme Disease Journey 40:13 Understanding Lyme Disease Transmission 41:08 Divergent Views on Lyme Disease 44:08 Chronic Lyme and Functional Medicine 47:06 The Importance of Asking 'Why' in Medicine 54:03 Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome 01:07:29 Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Explained 01:15:48 Concluding Thoughts and Resources Uncover the truth behind chronic illnesses with Dr. Micah Yu and Dr. Kelly McCann. From Lyme disease to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, this episode explores the root causes and innovative treatments for complex conditions. Don't miss this insightful conversation on Autoimmune Alchemy! #IntegrativeMedicine #PodcastLife
More from Autoimmune Alchemy
Today's guest is Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann — Associate Professor of Rheumatology at UCLA and Director of the UCLA Scleroderma Program. Elizabeth blends leading-edge research with holistic care — treating the whole person, not just the antibodies. In this episode, we cover the early, often-missed signs of scleroderma, the newest treatment frontier (CAR T therapy and stem cell transplant), and her groundbreaking research linking childhood trauma and gut microbiome health to disease risk. If you or someone you love lives with scleroderma, this conversation offers real hope grounded in real science. Chapter and Time Stamps 00:34 Meet Dr. Volkmann 01:47 Early Signs and Diagnosis 03:54 Key Antibodies and Labs 06:30 Understanding Skin Thickening 08:00 Treating Fibrosis Today 09:53 Stem Cells and CAR T 13:10 CAR T Results and Trials 14:14 Interstitial Lung Disease Focus 15:31 Trauma and Autoimmunity 19:45 Gut Microbiome Discoveries 21:45 Probiotics and Bacteria Patterns 24:29 Reversal Through Lifestyle 27:48 Integrative Medicine Balance 29:00 Where to Find Dr Volkmann 29:45 Closing Thanks and Goodbye
What if the biggest predictor of your health isn't your genes, but your daily habits? In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with Dr. Monisha Bhanote, a quintuple board-certified physician and integrative pathologist, to talk about #cellcare — the science of listening to your cells before disease takes hold. We cover travel gut health, toxin protection, and the wild story of how a freak accident led her to develop autoimmune disease and rebuild her brain through lifestyle alone. Chapter and Time Stamps: 00:50 Meet Dr. Monisha Bhanote 02:25 From Med School to Pathology 04:53 Integrative Medicine Shift 07:27 Cell Care Explained 10:24 Cells and Food Fuel 11:26 Autoimmune Travel Flare Story 13:51 Five Travel Pathways 18:04 Digestion Dos and Donts 21:42 Smart Travel Foods 23:30 Hydration Skin and Immunity 26:29 Find Quiet Spaces 27:09 Stress-Free Travel Mindset 27:58 Hotel Sleep Sanctuary 29:25 Immune Herbs Basics 30:49 Stillness and Recovery Days 33:03 Golf Ball TBI Story 37:29 Rebuilding with Lifestyle 38:12 Ayurvedic Brain Support 39:45 Mitochondria and Plant Diversity 44:16 True North Longevity 46:42 Retreats and Travela Supplement 50:46 Where to Find Dr Bhanote 51:16 Final Thanks and Wrap Key Takeaways 🧬 90% of Cancer Isn't Genetics — It's Lifestyle 🔬 Your Cells Are "Angry" Long Before You Feel Sick 🌱 #CellCare Isn't Self-Care — It's Deeper Than That ✈️ Travel Changes Your Microbiome in Just 20 Hours 🫚 Ginger & Turmeric Water Beats Soda on the Road 🏌️ One Freak Accident Triggered Full-Blown Autoimmune Disease 🧠 She Rebuilt Her Brain With Lifestyle, Not Meds 💊 Travela Was Born From an Apothecary in Her Suitcase Guest Details & Links Dr. Monisha Bhanote, MD, FCAP, ABOIM — one of the few quintuple board-certified physicians in the U.S., known as the Wellbeing Doctor. She combines her expertise as an integrative pathologist, cytopathologist, and culinary medicine specialist to help people understand disease at the cellular level. Founder of the WELLKULÅ Institute and creator of Travela, a travel wellness and longevity supplement. Website: drbhanote.com Social: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest @DrBhanote
Dr. Nate Handley — an integrative oncologist and Director of the Cancer Recovery Program at Jefferson University's Marcus Institute for Integrative Health, who treats both cancer patients and complex chronic illness through precision medicine, blending genetics, bloodwork, and whole-person care.
What if the panic attacks, the insomnia, the depression you've been handed a prescription for are actually your body asking you to look deeper? In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with Kirkland Newman, journalist, founder of MindHealth360, and Executive Director of IMMH. To unpack her own postpartum depression journey and why functional psychiatry looks at root causes instead of just silencing symptoms. We go deep into trauma, hormones, nervous system regulation, and the daily practices that build real resilience. Chapter and Time Stamps: 00:56 Meet Kiki Newman 02:23 First Postpartum Panic 03:58 Medication Fallout 05:28 Testing Changed Everything 07:10 Mind Health 360 Mission 09:21 Trauma Meets Biochemistry 12:42 Why Postpartum Gets Missed 18:41 Self Care and Rest Lessons 21:40 Experts and Common Threads 27:12 Start With the Basics 32:13 Bioenergetics and Inner Healer 35:19 Conference Invite and Wrap Up
What if treating your autoimmune disease didn't mean a lifetime of infusions, but one? In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I talk with Dr. Vaneet Sandhu, VP of Clinical Development at Fate Therapeutics, about CAR T-cell therapy: how it reprograms immune cells to eliminate the "bad actor" B-cells driving disease, why it started in oncology and is now being tested in lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis and more, and what the recent safety headlines actually mean for patients considering a trial.