Natural Health Q&A: Thyroid, Fasting, Nicotine and Everything in Between
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Join Dr. Kevin Schultz on the Foundational Health Podcast as he tackles some of the most pressing health questions from his audience. In this episode, Dr. Schultz provides insights into the effects of fragrance on health, the benefits of somatic movements for PTSD, and the role of saffron in mental health. He also delves into the complexities of thyroid health, the myths surrounding pharmaceutical drugs, and the controversial topics of vaccines and nicotine.
This episode is packed-full of Dr. Kevin’s honest and clear answers to some of your biggest health questions. He also takes these answers one step further by providing actionable steps that you can implement in your life to improve your health in each area of wellness discussed. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and empowers you to make informed health choices for you and your family.
Q: Is “fragrance” actually toxic, or is that an exaggeration?
Short answer: It’s not an exaggeration. The word “fragrance” on a label can hide hundreds of synthetic chemicals that can be toxic to your body.
In detail: If you look at the back of your shampoo, laundry detergent, or cleaning spray and see “fragrance” listed, you’re not just getting a nice scent. You’re getting a cocktail of chemicals that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. More importantly, many of these chemicals are known endocrine disruptors—meaning they interfere with your hormone system.
Endocrine disruptors can:
Mimic or block natural hormones
Alter how hormones are made, broken down, or moved through the body
Contribute to hormonal imbalances, fatigue, and even fertility issues
Action Steps:
Choose fragrance-free products when possible
Add a few drops of essential oils if you want a pleasant scent
Explore safer swaps on our One Stop Health Shop
Research toxin-free products on EWG.org
Q: What is CPTSD, and can somatic movement actually help?
Short answer: Yes—movement can help rewire your brain and calm your nervous system.
In detail: CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) differs from regular PTSD. Instead of a single traumatic event, CPTSD comes from prolonged or repeated trauma, often in childhood.
Somatic movement focuses on using gentle, intentional movement to reconnect your body and brain. Instead of suppressing symptoms with medication, it helps heal the root cause of stress stored in the body. Dr. Kevin points to resources like Dr. Axe’s guide to somatic therapy and mental health centers like Trinity Equestrian Center in Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley.
Key takeaway: Healing trauma isn’t just mental, it’s physical too.
Q: Can saffron really help with depression?
Short answer: It might help, but it’s not where to start.
In detail: Saffron is an ancient spice and one of the most expensive on Earth. Some studies show it may help improve mood, but it’s not essential. Instead, start with foundational nutrients your body actually needs to support mood, brain function, and emotional resilience.
Dr. Kevin recommends these three as your starting point:
Vitamin D3 with K2 – Linked to mood, especially in darker months
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) – Reduce inflammation in the brain
Spore-based probiotics – Gut health = brain health
These make up part of the Foundational Four—nutrients almost everyone is deficient in and that serve as building blocks for your mental and physical well-being.
Q: Is testing TSH enough for checking thyroid health?
Short answer: No. TSH is only a small piece of the puzzle.
In detail: Most traditional doctors check TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and stop there. But that doesn’t give you the full story. A proper thyroid panel should also include:
Free T3 and Free T4 (active and inactive thyroid hormones)
Reverse T3
Thyroid antibodies (to check for autoimmunity)
Nutrients like iodine and selenium
Heavy metal exposure like mercury
Need testing? Foundational Health offers at-home thyroid panels that check all of the above.
Nutrition tip: Support your thyroid with seaweed (iodine), Brazil nuts (selenium), and high-quality animal protein (zinc and tyrosine).
Q: What’s the biggest myth in medicine?
Short answer: That you need drugs to heal.
In detail: We’ve been sold a story that synthetic pharmaceuticals are the only path to healing. But your body is a self-healing, self-regulating system. When you remove interference and supply your body with the right things, healing begins.
Drugs are often modeled after natural substances—plants, herbs, even compounds already in your body—but they’re synthetically altered and cause side effects because your body doesn’t fully recognize them. This is why natural, holistic approaches to wellness should always be the first defense.
Healing isn’t instant. It’s a process. That’s why we call it a healing journey, not a healing event.
Q: Are statins as bad as people say?
Short answer: Yes, they can be.
In detail: Dr. Kevin didn’t hold back here. Statins have been linked to muscle pain, memory loss, nutrient depletion (especially CoQ10), and long-term cardiovascular issues. For more details, check out Episode 9 of the Foundational Health podcast, which dives deep into why statins often cause more harm than good.
Q: How do I figure out my ideal water and protein intake?
Short answer: Estimate your ideal body weight, not your current weight.
In detail:
Water: Drink half your ideal body weight in ounces
Protein: Eat roughly 1 gram of protein per 1 pound of ideal weight
For example: If your ideal weight is 160 lbs, aim to drink 80 oz of water and aim for 160g of protein per day.
Don’t obsess over hitting exact numbers—just aim for consistency and quality. Something is always better than nothing.
Q: What sunscreen is safe, and do sunglasses mess with melanin?
Short answer: Yes—sunlight into your eyes helps you naturally build a tan and protect your skin.
In detail: Wearing sunglasses all the time blocks UV rays that trigger melanin production, your body’s built-in sunblock. Try going without sunglasses for the first 15–20 minutes of sun exposure.
Sunscreen tips:
Use mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)
Avoid synthetic sprays unless vetted (see EWG.org)
Dr. Kevin’s family uses Alba Botanica, Sun Bum, and a Coppertone spray rated “3” on the toxicity scale
Q: Is intermittent fasting good for women?
Short answer: Fasting benefits men more than women, but it depends.
In detail: Intermittent fasting boosts a process called autophagy, which helps your body clean out damaged cells. While men generally thrive on daily fasting windows (like 16:8), women may see disrupted hormones if they fast too often.
Try occasional 24-hour fasts or seasonal longer fasts. And always listen to your body—especially if you’re feeling fatigued, stressed, or hormonally off.
Q: What magnesium supplement do you recommend?
Short answer: Quad Mag by NutriDyn
In detail: This supplement combines four types of highly absorbable magnesium, which supports:
Muscle function
Sleep
Mood
Cellular energy
Most people are deficient in magnesium—and it affects almost every system in your body.
Q: Is fruit sugar bad for you?
Short answer: It depends on your health status.
In detail: Fruit contains natural sugar, but also fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients. If you’re reversing insulin resistance or diabetes, avoid it temporarily (as in the Foundational 60-Day Reversing Diabetes Protocol). If you’re metabolically healthy, 2–3 servings per day are typically fine.
Berries and apples are great low-sugar options. Stay tuned for an upcoming podcast that explores complex vs. processed carbs.
Q: Should I or my kids get the COVID vaccine?
Short answer: Dr. Kevin urges you to make your own decision, but to do so from a position of knowledge and research rather than fear and lies.
In detail: There were no long-term safety studies before these shots were widely distributed. The movement to “trust the science” was based on falsehoods as there was no “science” to trust. At the height of the pandemic, pharmaceutical companies rushed their vaccines to market before long-term safety studies could be conducted.
Dr. Kevin shares that during the pandemic, his family focused on natural approaches to boosting their immune systems:
Whole food nutrition
Daily movement
Sunlight + grounding
Nebulizing natural ingredients
Supplements like NAC and the Foundational Four
He reminds us that informed choice matters—and you should never be forced into a health decision based on fear or pressure.
Q: Is nicotine ever good for you?
Short answer: Surprisingly, yes, it can be—if used correctly.
In detail: Your body has nicotinic receptors in the brain, nerves, and muscles. Nicotine is naturally found in tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant—not just tobacco. When these receptors are filled with natural nicotine, viruses like Epstein-Barr and COVID can’t bind as easily.
Dr. Kevin is not recommending cigarettes or vaping, which use synthetic nicotine and come with toxic chemicals. But he urges listeners to look into the work of Dr. Bryan Ardis and explore the emerging research with an open mind.
Conclusion: What This Q&A Reveals About Foundational Health
This episode is a powerful reminder that foundational health isn’t about chasing the latest trend—it’s about getting back to basics:
Supporting your hormones by removing daily toxins
Healing trauma with body-led movement
Prioritizing nutrient density over symptom suppression
Asking better questions and trusting your body to heal
Whether you’re dealing with mental health challenges, navigating thyroid issues, or trying to make sense of controversial topics like vaccines and nicotine, this podcast offers a steady voice of reason in a noisy health world.
Have questions you’d like answered? Reach out to us!
