In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad — integrative internal medicine physician, gut health specialist, SIBO expert, and founder of OC Integrative Medicine in Fullerton, California.
Dr. Rajshree's personal journey from debilitating bloating, food intolerances, and daily nausea to healing her own SIBO naturally is nothing short of transformational.
We go deep into why so many IBS diagnoses miss the real root cause, the difference between hydrogen and methane SIBO, her powerful 4-phase herbal protocol, and how healing your gut can reverse everything from skin rashes to anxiety to autoimmune flares. If you've been told to just "live with" your gut symptoms — this one is for YOU.
Chapters and Time-Stamps
00:53 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:27 Why SIBO Gets Missed
03:39 What SIBO Does in Gut
05:42 IBS vs SIBO Types
07:48 Herbal Protocol Origin Story
12:25 Four Phase SIBO Plan
14:33 Testing to Rule Out Causes
20:33 Microbiome Diet and Cravings
22:16 Stress Food and Antibiotics
25:34 Histamine and Probiotic Pitfalls
28:35 Best Supplements Digestive Enzymes
30:16 Digestive Enzyme Stack
30:53 Magnesium for Constipation
31:58 Motility Activator Basics
32:27 Phase-Based SIBO Strategy
34:10 Meal Spacing and MMC
35:23 Low-Bloat Food Swaps
36:57 Mindful Eating and Portions
39:19 Reintroducing Foods Safely
41:48 Nausea Relief Tools
43:57 Acid vs Non-Acid Reflux
50:34 Gut-Immune Connection Wrap
53:30 Where to Find Dr Rajshree
Key Takeaways
🦠 IBS Is a Label, Not a Diagnosis
🧪 Know Your SIBO Type
🌿 Fix the Foundation Before Killing Bacteria
💊 Three Supplements That Change Everything
🍽️ Meal Spacing Is Medicine
🔬 Your Gut Drives Your Immune System
🥛 Go Slow With Reintroduction
Guest Details & Links
Guest: Dr. Rasjree Nambudripad, MD
Specialty: Integrative Internal Medicine | Gut Health | SIBO Expert
Practice Location: Fullerton, California
Training: Internal Medicine Residency at Northwestern University; Gastroenterology Fellowship at UC Irvine
Links:
About Your Hosts
Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP
Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.
Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.
About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast
Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy
AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.
Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy
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