Episodios

  • Peptide Questions: BPC 157 and Other Peptides
    Oct 25 2025

    Many patients have questions on the use of peptides. What are peptides and what are the most common peptides used as well as the safety and other concerns. BPC157 is one of the most common peptides that patients ask about. There are more but today, Ray Solano of PD Labs and I discussed peptide use and safety.

    Chapters:

    • 0:00 🎙️ Welcome to The Better Life & Guest Introduction

      • Dr. Pinkston welcomes the audience and introduces Ray Solano from PD Labs.

    • 0:32 🧪 Understanding Peptides: Focus on BPC 157

      • Discussion on the confusion surrounding peptides and the powerful molecule BPC 157.

    • 1:29 ⚠️ The Critical Issue of Peptide Sourcing and Quality

      • Ray Solano stresses the importance of knowing the source of peptides due to contamination risks.

    • 2:57 🧬 What is a Peptide? The Building Blocks of Proteins

      • A peptide is defined as linked amino acids.

    • 5:24BPC 157: A Signaling Peptide for Healing

      • BPC 157 is described as a signaling peptide that tells the body to heal and reduce inflammation.

    • 6:23 🎯 BPC 157 Applications: Injections, Nasal, and Oral Use

      • Ray explains how BPC 157 is used for different conditions (tendons, brain, GI tract).

    • 6:51 ⚖️ BPC 157 Salt Forms: Arginate vs. Acetate

      • The difference between the less effective acetate salt and the more absorbable arginate salt is highlighted.

    • 7:49 💊 Oral, Non-Prescription BPC 157 LPT Chewables

      • Discussion of the effective, non-prescription BPC 157 LPT nanosphere liposome chewable tablets.

    • 11:18 🌿 The Power of Curcumin and the Anti-Inflammatory Pairing

      • Introducing curcumin and how it differs from NSAIDs, which stall the healing process.

    • 11:48 🤝 Tetracure and BPC 157: A Powerful Pain-Stopping Combination

      • The synergy of high-quality curcumin (Tetracure) with BPC 157 for pain and healing.

    • 12:46 🚨 Why Curcumin Quality Matters: Particle Size and Contaminants

      • Warning against low-quality curcumin supplements due to absorption issues and heavy metal risk.

    • 15:11 🛑 The Difficulties in Treating Inflammation

      • The importance of slowing inflammation without arresting the healing process.

    • 17:35 ⏳ Healing is a Process: Long-Term Changes Take Time

      • Dr. Pinkston emphasizes that long-term health issues require patience and a process.

    • 18:05 👏 Compliment to Integrative Practitioners & BHRT Awareness

      • Ray Solano praises practitioners like Dr. Pinkston for using the best, evidence-based tools.

    • 19:04 🤯 Pharmaceutical Push for Non-Hormonal Menopause Treatments

      • Discussion on the use of non-hormonal, antidepressant-like drugs for hot flashes.

    • 21:29 💡 Dr. Pinkston's Integrative Health Awakening

      • Dr. Pinkston shares the personal journey that changed her approach to medicine.

    • 23:30 🔄 Synthetic vs. Bioidentical Hormones Explained

      • The difference between synthetic hormones (progestins) and bioidentical hormones (identical structure, like Progesterone USP).

    • 25:18 📈 Customization and Safety of Compounded Hormones

      • The crucial role of personalized dosing and the long history of safety for compounded hormones.

    • 27:14 📞 How to Connect with PD Labs & Dr. Pinkston

      • Final contact information for PD Labs (pdlabsrx.com) and Dr. Pinkston's show archives (drpbetterlife.com).

    • 28:38 🎧 Ray Solano Promotes 'Doctor Talks' Podcast

      • Ray Solano encourages listeners to check out PD Labs' free, science-based "Doctor Talks" podcast.

    • 29:10 👋 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 m
  • Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder and the Power of Habit Change with Amber Abila
    Oct 18 2025

    Join Dr. Marianne Pinkston and guest Amber Abila, an adult binge eating coach and expert, for a deep dive into Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Dr. Pinkston shares her personal journey of gaining over 300 pounds, losing weight, and realizing she was struggling with an eating disorder later in life. Amber, who also overcame bulimia and binge eating, discusses how this disorder—only recognized in the DSM-5 in 2013—is often misunderstood as a "willpower problem." They explore the origins of the binge-restrict cycle, the power of mindset and habit change, and practical strategies to dismantle the shame, fear, and addictive patterns surrounding food. Learn the six pillars of Amber's coaching program, including how to sit with urges, develop an abundance mindset, and use celebration to rewire your brain for lasting change.

    00:00 Introduction: The Better Life with Dr. Marianne Pinkston

    00:32 Introducing Guest Amber Abila: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and its History

    01:00 Dr. Pinkston's Personal Story: Realizing an Eating Disorder at 47

    01:27 Amber's Story: The Dieting Origin of Binge Eating and Bulimia

    02:54 The Shift from Therapy to Habit Research: Understanding Binge as a Habit

    04:10 The First Binge and Purge: The Shame and Desperation of the Cycle

    05:43 The "Aha!" Moment: Changing the Reaction to Triggers and Urges

    07:08 Defining BED and Taking the First Step: Unshaming the Behavior

    09:51 Tools for Awareness: The Simple Food Diary and Changing Mindset

    10:45 How Thoughts Create Desire: The "Last Glass of Water" Analogy

    12:10 Dr. Pinkston's Secret Binge: Stress, Pleasure, Guilt, and the Need for Support

    14:16 The Crucial Role of Objective Support and Coaching

    15:10 Amber’s Six Pillars of Freedom: Mindset, Moderation, and Urges

    15:37 Pillar 2: Moderation & The Scarcity Mindset ("Enough is a Decision")

    16:33 Pillar 3: Processing Urges by Grounding in Body Sensations

    17:57 Pillar 5 & 6: Confidence, Body Image, and Shifting Identity

    18:24 The Power of the Urge: Intermittent Reinforcement and Rewiring the Brain

    19:19 The New Reward: Using Celebration as Neural Superglue

    20:37 Binge Eating and the Addictive Cycle (Dopamine Surge)

    21:57 Showing Yourself the Whole Story: Chapter One vs. Chapters Two Through Ten

    23:50 Slowing Down: Mindful Binging and Noticing Negative Food Consequences

    25:15 Distinguishing Overeating, Emotional Eating, and Binge Eating

    26:42 The Role of Trauma in Eating Issues and When to Seek a Specialis

    t28:36 Resources and Next Steps: Amber's Free Guided Urge Audio

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    46 m
  • Healing Your Relationship with Food: Trauma, Addiction, and the Mind-Body Connection
    Oct 11 2025

    Join host Dr. Pinkston and special guest, psychologist Tori Janae, for a powerful and transparent conversation on how past trauma and relationships shape our destructive connections with food. Dr. Pinkston, who once struggled with her own eating disorder and obesity, and Tori Janae, who shares her personal journey of healing generational trauma through addressing food addiction, dive deep into the emotional and psychological roots of disordered eating.

    Discover why food becomes a source of comfort, the role of dopamine in the "eat, repent, repeat" addiction cycle, and why so many people struggle with guilt, shame, and self-sabotage. Learn practical, free tools rooted in an integrative approach to start your healing journey, including:

    • Identifying the core psychological wounds (e.g., abandonment, guilt, people-pleasing) that drive addictive behaviors.

    • The importance of self-awareness and how to use your triggers as teachers.

    • Techniques to "finish the stress cycle" and down-regulate your nervous system using movement and Box Breathing (physiological sigh).

    • The power of neuroplasticity and mind-body techniques like EFT Tapping to rewire your brain for safety and self-acceptance.

    This episode offers profound insights and actionable steps to break free from the cycle of emotional eating and move toward The Better Life.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    52 m
  • The Two-Minute Exercise for Low Back Pain with Dr. Hélène Bertrand
    Oct 4 2025

    Chronic pain, especially low back pain, is a global struggle—but what if relief was just two minutes away? Dr. Marianne Pinkston welcomes Dr. Hélène Bertrand, a physician and innovator who shares her personal and professional journey to finding effective, integrative solutions for intractable pain.

    In this episode, you’ll learn about:

    • The Two-Minute Low Back Pain Exercise: Dr. Bertrand details her personal 39-year battle with back pain and how she discovered a simple, two-minute technique to realign the sacroiliac (SI) joints in the pelvis, offering a 90% success rate for immediate relief. She even demonstrates how to self-check for SI joint displacement.

    • Prolotherapy for Ligament Pain: Discover how a few simple injections of "sugar water" (dextrose/mannitol) can stimulate healing in loose ligaments, like those that stabilize the SI joints, ending chronic pain where traditional methods fail.

    • A Breakthrough Pain Cream: Dr. Bertrand explains the science behind her innovative cream, which uses mannitol to block pain messages at the nerve level. Hear the compelling research that shows this cream provides a 53% average pain relief, significantly outperforming common over-the-counter and prescription medications.

    • Practical Tools for Support: Learn about using a pelvic support belt and a donut cushion to maintain pelvic alignment and prevent pain flare-ups.

    Connect with Dr. Bertrand:

    • Her book: Low Back Pain: Three Steps to Relief in Two Minutes (available on Amazon).

    • Her website for webinars and courses: no-pain.ca

    • Resources to find Prolotherapy (Orthopedic Medicine) providers.

    Disclaimer: As Dr. Pinkston advises, please consult your physician before starting any new treatment or making changes to your healthcare routine.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    42 m
  • The Gut-Brain Connection: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
    Sep 27 2025

    In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Marianne Pinkston and guest Ray Solano, owner of PD Labs, a compounding pharmacy, explore the intricate link between gut health and neurological well-being. They discuss how an integrative approach, combining functional medicine principles with modern therapeutics, can address the root causes of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. The conversation covers the impact of diet, genetics, and lifestyle on mental health, and introduces natural and compounded solutions like L-theanine, oxytocin, and BH4.

    Chapters

    0:00 - 4:14: Introduction and the Problem with Conventional Solutions. Dr. Pinkston introduces Ray Solano and the topic of neurological problems. They discuss the rising rates of conditions like depression and ADD and argue that conventional medicine often only treats symptoms with pharmaceuticals, ignoring the root causes.

    4:14 - 8:40: The Gut-Brain Connection and Inflammatory Foods. Ray and Dr. Pinkston explain the direct link between gut health and brain function, highlighting how neurotransmitters are made in the GI tract. They emphasize that inflammatory foods like gluten, processed items, and alcohol can significantly impact mental health.

    8:40 - 13:28: The Role of Genetics and Foundational Treatments. The discussion shifts to the role of genetic predispositions (SNPs) and how lifestyle and diet can either turn these genes on or off. They introduce the importance of a holistic approach, viewing health as a puzzle with multiple pieces, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and gut health.

    13:28 - 19:38: Nutraceuticals and Hormonal Support. Dr. Pinkston and Ray detail natural, accessible remedies. Ray highlights L-theanine for its calming effects and introduces oxytocin, explaining its role in social bonding and mood elevation. They discuss its use as a compounded treatment for conditions like OCD and autism.

    19:38 - 25:22: The Power of Compounded Pharmaceuticals. The focus returns to specific, targeted solutions. Ray explains BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin), a pharmaceutical used to treat a specific genetic deficiency that impacts serotonin and dopamine production. They also discuss the compounding of natural thyroid medication and the importance of personalized medicine.

    25:22 - 30:40: Progesterone and Metabolic Dysfunction. The conversation broadens to include hormonal balance, with Dr. Pinkston highlighting progesterone's role in sleep and anxiety. They also discuss metabolic dysfunction, the prevalence of belly fat, and its link to hormonal disruption and chronic disease.

    30:40 - 34:25: Addressing ADD and Brain Inflammation. Dr. Pinkston and Ray focus on ADD and the importance of removing inflammatory foods from the diet. Ray introduces Synapsin, a compounded nasal spray containing RG3-Ginseng, as an effective tool for reducing brain inflammation associated with ADD and other neurological issues.

    34:25 - 39:05: Conclusion and Final Thoughts. Dr. Pinkston and Ray encourage listeners to seek professional support for their health issues. They emphasize the value of telehealth and the growing field of longevity medicine, which aims to fix underlying problems rather than just treating symptoms. They conclude by providing contact information for their respective websites and podcasts.

    Visit my website: https://www.drpbetterlife.com/

    Connect with me on social media:
    https://www.facebook.com/pinkston4life
    https://instagram.com/drmariannepinkston
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-pinkston-md-857ba069
    https://twitter.com/pinkston4life
    https://www.tiktok.com/@drmariannepinkston

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    39 m
  • Seed Oils, the truth and myths
    Sep 20 2025

    In this episode, Dr. Laura, with her extensive knowledge and science-backed education, helps us separate fact from fiction about seed oils. Beyond the buzz and misinformation, she clarifies the real science behind acidity and alkalinity, giving you the truth without the hype.

    Visit my website: https://www.drpbetterlife.com/

    Connect with me on social media:
    https://www.facebook.com/pinkston4life

    https://instagram.com/drmariannepinkston

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-pinkston-md-857ba069

    https://twitter.com/pinkston4life

    https://www.tiktok.com/@drmariannepinkston

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    49 m
  • Battling a Mystery Illness? Unraveling the Secrets of Chronic Complex Illness with Dr. Amy Offutt
    Sep 13 2025

    Do you or someone you love struggle with unexplained fatigue, brain fog, pain, or a
    ""mystery illness"" that never seems to have clear answers? In this episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, Dr Amy Offutt, president of ILADS, dive deep into chronic complex illness—a condition that often hides behind vague symptoms yet impacts every aspect of daily life. ILADS.org

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    52 m
  • Kidney Health: Advocacy, Early Diagnosis, and Hope- Breaking Barriors
    Sep 6 2025

    In this inspiring episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, I welcome Tiffany Jones Smith—President of the Texas Kidney Foundation, Chair of the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, the first African American woman to hold these positions, and a chronic kidney disease patient herself. Tiffany shares her powerful journey and groundbreaking leadership, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, early diagnosis, and patient advocacy in kidney health. Together, we explore how patients can take an active role in their care and how hope and action can change the future of chronic kidney disease.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 m