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Wellness Connection MDAuthor: James McMinn, MD
Welcome to the Wellness Connection MD podcast, where Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsey become your partners on a quest for optimal wellness. Simply stated, our goal is to bring to you up-to-date, honest, vetted, unbiased, evidence-based information about health and wellness, along with practical solutions, in order to empower you to overcome your healthcare challenges, and to optimize your health in mind, body, and spirit. As our population ages, and we are faced with an alarming epidemic of chronic diseases. Clearly, the current drug-based sick-care model of healthcare is simply not working. The cost of healthcare is skyrocketing for patients, and for our society at large, and legions of patients with chronic diseases are falling through the cracks of modern medicine. These people are often desperate to be heard, to be taken seriously, and to have their concerns adequately addressed. On the Wellness Connection MD podcast we will focus more on a preventive, lifestyle-based, functional, and integrative approach to optimal wellness. We challenge the medical community to "think different," while remaining evidence-based, while opening our minds to other viable therapies beyond drugs and surgery. We also advocate that this shift in thinking be accompanied by a renaissance of "loving kindness" in healthcare. Providers and patients would all benefit. We are hopeful for the future of health care. Patients are demanding a new approach, and big medicine is beginning to listen. Fifteen years ago when we embarked on this journey integrative and functional medicine were hardly on the radar screen. However we now see that many of our most esteemed healthcare institutions have dedicated integrative or functional programs, such as Harvard, Duke, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Vanderbilt, UCSF and many others. Integrative and functional medic Language: en Genres: Alternative Health, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Depression: A Functional Root Cause Approach
Episode 61
Saturday, 11 October, 2025
Your Depression Might Not Be What Your Doctor Thinks It Is.What If Your Antidepressants Aren't Working Because Nobody's Looking at the Real Problem?You've tried the medications, and you've done the talk therapy, but nothing seems to be working. Or perhaps—you're stuck on drugs with side effects you hate, wondering if you'll ever feel normal again.Most doctors follow a predictable script: you describe depression → they immediately get out the Rx pad and write for Prozac, or one of its many cousins. But what if your depression isn't a chemical or neurotransmiter mbalance at all? What if it's really due to a correctable cause that's been overlooked the entire time?In this episode of Wellness Connection MD, Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay Mathews reveal a completely different approach to depression—one that asks "Why do you have depression?” instead of "What drug should I put you on?” They walk through what may be the most complete list of root causes of depression that has ever been presented- the causes that most doctors never think about or look for. As usual on the Wellness Connection MD podcast- everything is supported by the evidence. Dr. McMinn and Coach Lindsay have done the homework for you. Key Root Causes ExploredNutritional & Biochemical Factors: Vitamin D deficiency, B vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, and amino acids all directly impact mood regulation.Hormonal Imbalances: Thyroid dysfunction, cortisol dysregulation, low pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen (particularly during menopause and perimenopause), progesterone fluctuations, and low testosterone in both men and women can all trigger or worsen depression.Inflammation & Food Sensitivities: Neuroinflammation disrupts mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Gluten sensitivity and other food triggers can significantly worsen depression.Blood Sugar Dysregulation: Insulin resistance doubles the risk of major depression and can be corrected.Infections: Chronic infections including Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, chronic sinusitis, recurrent UTIs, viral myocarditis, and parasitic infections are frequently overlooked depression triggers.Gut-Brain Connection: Dysbiosis (altered microbiome) affects serotonin and dopamine production. Chronic yeast overgrowth can produce mood-altering metabolites.Lifestyle Factors: Exercise, sleep quality, stress reduction, social connection, purpose, sunlight expSupport the show Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to support the show.-Check out our website at https://mcminnmd.com for other IMPORTANT LINKS, including social media links. You can find these at the bottom of the main page under the heading "Helpful Links."-Click on the following link for our FULLSCRIPT dispensary for a 10% discount on physician-grade supplements: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/jmcminn/signupFullScript Dispensary is an affiliate from which I receive a commission.Check out Dr. McMinn's Wellness MD Blog at https://mcminnmd.com/wellness-md-blog-1 Go to https://mcminnmd.com/reviews to see How to rate and review this podcast on an iPhoneYou can contact Dr. McMinn at DoctorMcMinn@yahoo.com to leave comments or to make suggestions for future shows. Follow Dr. McMinn at:https://twitter.com/mcminnmdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mcminnmd/https://www.instagram.com/mcminnmdhttps://www.facebook.com/mcminnmd
