Cover art for a podcast titled 'A Functional Approach' featuring Dr. Jim Chialtas, DACM, with a smiling older man wearing a stethoscope and dark gray shirt, against a beige background with a medicine-related pattern.

Blog & Podcast

Welcome to my blog, where you’ll find articles and links to my podcast episodes.

If you’d like to discuss your health concerns or ask some specific questions, please contact me and we can get started on your journey to balanced health!

My Most Recent Posts

Understanding Testosterone Use: A Personal Choice with Potential Consequences

Considering testosterone therapy? It's vital to know the risks beyond the benefits. Discover how HRT can disrupt your body's natural hormone balance and why "testosterone overload" can have permanent consequences. Read the full article to make an informed decision about your hormonal health.

Uncovering Hidden Causes of Heart Disease

If you’re concerned about plaque buildup or heart disease, don’t settle for a cholesterol-only approach. There is a growing body of evidence pointing to infections and inflammation as significant, yet often overlooked, contributors. Lowering cholesterol may be helpful, but without addressing underlying infections and inflammation, the progression of heart disease may continue unchecked.

Meditation - A Practical Tool, Not a Performance

If you’ve ever been told to “just meditate” and felt frustrated or embarrassed because it didn’t work, you’re not alone.

Jim Chialtas, DACM 8/10/18 Jim Chialtas, DACM 8/10/18

New podcast - "What's the Underlying Issue?" Gluten sensitivity explained

Want to know what the big deal is about gluten? Check out my most recent guest appearance on the Vegan Danielle podcast, by the Specialty Produce Network!

Jim Chialtas, DACM 6/4/18 Jim Chialtas, DACM 6/4/18

Podcast Discussion with Vegan Danielle! - Intro to Functional Medicine

Listen to my interview with Vegan Danielle on the Specialty Produce Network! We discuss Acupuncture, Functional Medicine, looking at lab results, a thyroid test scenario, food sensitivities, and more. At just a little over 1/2 hour, it’s the perfect accompaniment on your next drive!

Jim Chialtas, DACM 2/5/18 Jim Chialtas, DACM 2/5/18

Why Does Food Hate Us So Much?

Why do so many of us struggle with how we feel after eating? Many people feel bloated, get indigestion, or get diarrhea after eating, and can't figure out why. There are many possible reasons for this, and things we can do about it! Get some insight on what's going on and some quick tips to help.

Jim Chialtas, DACM 10/18/17 Jim Chialtas, DACM 10/18/17

Move the Qi, Relieve the Pain

The most common reason for back pain, or pain anywhere in the body, is stagnation of Qi along the meridian system. There is an old Chinese saying which is also the motto of my acupuncture school, “Where there is stagnation there is pain… And where there is pain there will be stagnation.” (In Chinese pinyin: Pu tong su tong… Tong su pu tong.)

Jim Chialtas, DACM 10/5/17 Jim Chialtas, DACM 10/5/17

Autoimmunity: Early Detection Can Change Your Future

There is a good chance you will find some degree of autoimmunity in any random person off the street - one out of five Americans currently suffer from autoimmune disease. Their immune system loses the ability to determine self tissues from non-self tissues and launch deliberate attacks against them. This can come in many forms such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. Some simple tests can help you stop or slow the progression. If you have concerns about your status or have a family history of autoimmune disease, this article is for you!

Jim Chialtas, DACM 9/12/17 Jim Chialtas, DACM 9/12/17

Are You Overweight? Or Mostly Just Inflamed?

By far one of the most common questions I get is if I can help with weight loss. It seems to be something that most people want to do at some point in their lives, but also something that people want to see happen quickly and without a great deal of effort. Perhaps that is just human nature. But what I see going on out there is that people will tend to start down some particular path, usually involving a gym membership or a fancy piece of equipment, only to lose faith in their program after a month or so with very little to show for it in the end! It can be very frustrating and bad for morale in general to fail time after time with something so important as one’s health and/or positive self image. So what gives? Why is it so tough sometimes to lose the weight and keep it off?

Debbie Chialtas 6/4/17 Debbie Chialtas 6/4/17

Amazing Japanese Cheesecake Recipe

I'm sure the recipe name sounds like I'm over-hyping it a bit, but seriously this cake is the most delicious cake* I've ever had. (*Not sure what the official criteria is of a cake, but this is cake in my book). Made with everything you'd expect in cake, but with only 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in place of flour! It's incredibly moist, almost mousse-like, with a light sweet flavor. My husband took one bite and said, "This is special." As in - stop the presses. This is so good.