The Wellness Pharmacist

Dr. Kat breaks down the controversy around graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in chronic fatigue.

Do they help or harm?

She shares peer-reviewed research, patient stories, and her own experience to highlight why this standard approach needs a rethink.

This episode advocates for patient-led care and treatment options that honor your limits, not push you past them.

#ChronicFatigue #MECFS #GradedExerci...

Welcome to The Wellness Pharmacist, the podcast dedicated to empowering you with knowledge about autoimmune health, medication guidance, and thriving with chronic illness. I'm your host, Dr, Kat: pharmacist, chronic illness educator, and patient advocate. Join me as we explore the profound connection between your gut health and your immune system, a topic that’s drawing significant attention in both scientific circles and patient c...

"Milk and Autoimmunity: Is Dairy Making You Sick?"

Description:

Could your glass of milk be contributing to your autoimmune symptoms? In this episode of The Wellness Pharmacist, Dr. Kat dives into the science behind milk and its impact on autoimmune diseases.

Learn how bovine milk proteins may trigger immune responses and how alternatives like goat, camel, and buffalo milk could affect inflammation.

If you're managing an autoimmune con...

In this episode of The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat, we explore non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), a condition that mimics celiac disease but without the autoimmune markers. Learn the symptoms, how it affects people with autoimmune disease, and practical steps for identifying triggers and managing symptoms naturally. Whether you live with chronic illness or want to better understand food sensitivities, this episode brings cl...

In this deeply personal episode of The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat, I open up about my chronic illness journey from being diagnosed with Graves' disease in my teens, to developing lupus after my first child, and living with brain cavernomas, seizures, and debilitating fatigue.

You’ll hear what it's like to navigate the healthcare system while being dismissed, disbelieved, and misdiagnosed. I share how I became a pharmacist, edu...

Today on The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat we’re talking about an important new study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology on February 3, 2025 about patient-reported outcomes and how it predicts health-related quality of life.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are powerful tools!

🔹 Fatigue is a major burden.

🔹 Doctors and patients don’t always see eye to eye.

Listener Question:

📞 “Hi, Dr. Kat. My docto...

Today, we’re diving into an important new study published in BMC Psychology on March 11, 2025.

This study, "The Association Between Quality of Life and Psychological Flexibility, Depressive, Anxiety, or Insomnia Symptoms in Patients with Persistent Indoor Environment-Related Symptoms or Chronic Fatigue," explores how mental health factors impact quality of life in people living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and persistent sens...

Today on The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat, we’re taking a closer look at an important study published in The Lancet Rheumatology in March 2025.

Key Takeaways from the Study

🔹Improved Precision for Pregnant Individuals with APS

🔹 Not a Diagnostic Tool for Routine Clinical Use

🔹 Advancing Research & Treatment

Listener Question:

📞 “Hi Dr. Kat, I’ve had multiple miscarriages, but my doctor never mentioned APS. Should I ask to be ...

In today's episode of The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat, we review the recently published statement titled: "Quality of Life in Heart Failure: The Heart of the Matter," by Heart Failure Association and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Quality of Life (QoL) is as Important as Survival

🔹 Physical and Mental Health are Deeply Connected

🔹 What Improves Quality o...

A recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology (March 2025) highlights the importance of the innate immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus. Join me as I briefly review the innate immune system, its response in lupus, and what it means for those living with lupus and their healthcare team.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Stat Insight: Up to 80% of lupus patients exhibit a persistent Type I interferon response, a key dri...

Another Five-Minute Focus where we’re breaking down a study published in June 2024 in ACR Open Rheumatology on Metformin and it's potential cardiovascular and kidney-protective effects in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Lupus Nephritis.

Key Takeaways:

👉 Why Metformin?

📌 What This Means for Patients & Healthcare Professionals

📩 David from New York asks: "I have lupus but no diabetes. Could I ask my doctor abo...

🔬 The Wellness Pharmacist is your go-to podcast for expert insights on chronic illness, autoimmune diseases, medication management, and holistic wellness. Hosted by Dr. Kat, a pharmacist with a passion for patient advocacy, this show breaks down complex medical topics into practical, easy-to-understand advice.

🎧 New Episode: 5-Minute Focus – The Link Between Mental Health & Autoimmune Diseases This episode explores the latest ...

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. From AI-powered imaging that detects early signs of RA to personalized treatment plans, the future of rheumatology is here! But what are the benefits—and the risks?

Tune in to my latest Five-Minute Focus episode on The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat to find out! 🎧

How do you feel about AI in healthcare? Excite...

Can your gut bacteria impact gout and uric acid levels? 🤔 Research says YES! In this episode of The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat, we break down a groundbreaking 2025 study from Arthritis & Rheumatology that explores how gut microbiome imbalances contribute to hyperuricemia—and what you can do about it.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

✅ How gut bacteria help regulate uric acid metabolism

✅ The role of Lactobacillus paracasei X11 &...

🚨 New 5-Minute Focus Episode! 🚨

🎙️ The Wellness Pharmacist with Dr. Kat presents: Predicting Pregnancy Risks in Lupus – What You Need to Know!

Planning a pregnancy while living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? A groundbreaking February 2025 study in Clinical Rheumatology introduces a nomogram—a predictive tool that helps assess pregnancy risks for people with lupus.

🎧 Listen now for a quick, evidence-based breakdown! [Inse...

FDA Under Fire: The Fight for Comprehensive Food and Drug Regulation

In an era where health concerns are rampant and misinformation fuels public anxiety, the FDA stands as a crucial guardian at the gates of consumer safety. In "FDA Under Fire," Dr. Kat delves deep into the heart of the battle for food and drug regulation, illuminating the dire consequences of weakening this essential institution.

As mounting pressures from political ...

In this episode of The Wellness Pharmacist, we explore the vital connection between mental health and chronic illness. Living with a chronic condition often brings emotional challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout, which can significantly impact overall health. Learn practical strategies to manage mental health while navigating the complexities of chronic illness, and discover ways to advocate for holistic care that priori...

In this episode of The Wellness Pharmacist, we'll be exploring drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE)—a lesser-known condition that mimics the symptoms of lupus but is triggered by certain medications. DILE can bring on fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, and other inflammatory symptoms that resemble systemic lupus erythematosus, but the difference is that DILE often resolves once the offending medication is stopped. I’ll walk you ...