The Heal Deal Podcast with Dr. Leona

#79 Cellular Inflammation and Its Connection to Metabolic Disease

Fatigue? Brain fog? cravings? 'Slow' metabolism?
In this episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen explains cellular inflammation—what it is, how it impacts metabolic health, and the practical steps that support your cells so you can feel clear, steady, and strong again.
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ What cellular inflammation is—and how it can disrupt metabolism✅ Why “fast vs. slow metabolism” is the wrong framework✅ Why thin doesn’t always mean metabolically healthy (TOFI explained)✅ What mitochondria, cell membranes, and DNA signaling have to do with symptoms✅ Why you can feel bad even when labs look “fine”✅ The most common signs your cells are under stress (fatigue, cravings, BP, brain fog)✅ What standard testing often misses—and what additional markers can clarify✅ The foundations that support cellular health: real food, meal timing, fiber, sleep, stress, movement✅ A simple 90-day plan to start without overwhelm
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Take the Metabolic Reset Quiz:TheMetabolicResetQuiz.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition

#78. Insulin Resistance: How it Drives Weight Gain, Fatigue, and High Blood Pressure

Is your blood sugar “normal”… but you’re exhausted, gaining weight, and craving sugar?
In this episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen breaks down one of the most overlooked root causes behind stubborn weight gain, fatigue, cravings, and rising blood pressure—even when your labs look “fine”: insulin resistance.
You’ll learn why fasting glucose and A1C are late markers, how insulin resistance can silently build for years, and why the real issue isn’t your blood sugar number—it’s the metabolic dysfunction happening underneath it.
If you’ve ever been told, “Your labs are normal,” but your body doesn’t feel normal, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. This is your roadmap to understanding the pattern, advocating for deeper testing, and addressing the real drivers behind your symptoms—before a diagnosis ever appears.
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ Why glucose is considered a late marker of metabolic dysfunction✅ How insulin resistance develops quietly while blood sugar stays “normal”✅ The common symptoms most people experience first: fatigue, belly fat, cravings, brain fog✅ Why fasting insulin is rarely checked—and why it matters✅ Key markers and patterns to watch for (fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, triglyceride/HDL ratio)✅ How insulin resistance connects weight gain, blood pressure, cholesterol, and hormones✅ The most common drivers: processed foods, stress, poor sleep, low muscle mass, inflammation✅ What actually improves insulin sensitivity—without starving yourself✅ The questions to ask your doctor to get clearer answers✅ Why early intervention is the easiest window for reversal
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Take the Metabolic Reset Quiz:TheMetabolicResetQuiz.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition

#77. High Cholesterol Isn’t the Real Problem (LDL, Statins, & What Actually Predicts Heart Risk)

What if your cholesterol isn't the problem — but the message?
In this episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen breaks down the truth behind cholesterol guidelines and exposes why so many people are being pushed toward lifelong statin medication… even when their body is simply communicating metabolic stress.
You'll learn how these guidelines changed, why the targets keep dropping, the conflicts of interest behind the statin trials, and why the real danger isn't your cholesterol number — it's the inflammation and metabolic dysfunction underneath it.
If you've ever felt confused, dismissed, or powerless after being handed a statin prescription, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. This is your roadmap to understanding what your cholesterol actually does, what markers truly predict cardiovascular risk, and how to address the root causes instead of just suppressing a number.
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ How cholesterol guidelines have shifted over the past 30+ years — and who benefits✅ Why cholesterol targets keep dropping (and what that means for you)✅ The statin trials everyone references — and the conflicts of interest behind them✅ Why the JUPITER trial expanded statin use to millions more people (and the controversy around it)✅ What cholesterol actually does in your body — hormones, brain function, cell membranes, vitamin D✅ Why "good" vs "bad" cholesterol is an oversimplification that misses the real story✅ The markers your doctor ISN'T checking: ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, fasting insulin, oxidized LDL✅ Why cardiovascular disease is fundamentally an inflammatory disease — not a cholesterol disease✅ How insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, stress, sleep, and gut health drive your cholesterol pattern✅ What statins actually do to your body (CoQ10 depletion, mitochondrial impact, side effects)✅ Questions to ask your doctor BEFORE committing to lifelong medication✅ Actionable, realistic steps you can take NOW to address root causes and support your body's healing✅ When medication is a tool — and when root-cause metabolic healing is the long-term solution
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Take the Metabolic Reset Quiz:TheMetabolicResetQuiz.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition

#76. Blood Pressure Guidelines Changed Again (Here’s what you need to know)

What if your blood pressure isn’t the problem — but the message?
In this episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen breaks down the truth behind the new 2025 blood pressure guidelines and exposes why so many people are being pushed toward medication earlier… even when their body isn’t the issue.
You’ll learn how these guidelines changed, why the thresholds keep tightening, and why the real danger isn’t your blood pressure — it’s the metabolic dysfunction underneath it.
If you’ve ever felt confused, stressed, or powerless after a doctor’s appointment, this episode will give you clarity and confidence. This is your roadmap to understanding your numbers, advocating for yourself, and addressing the root causes driving your blood pressure in the first place.
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ How blood pressure “normal” ranges have shifted over the decades — and why✅ Why the 2025 guidelines kept the 130/80 diagnosis but tightened treatment goals✅ What “under 130/80” and “120–129” actually mean for you✅ Why millions are now considered hypertensive without true personalization✅ How insulin resistance, inflammation, stress, and sleep play a bigger role than salt✅ Why one office reading should never define your health✅ Actionable, realistic steps you can take NOW to bring your blood pressure down naturally✅ When medication is a short-term tool — and when root-cause healing is the long-term solution
 
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Take the Metabolic Reset Quiz:TheMetabolicResetQuiz.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition

#75. Your Genes Predict Inflammation, Fatigue & Stubborn Weight Gain (with Dr. Shayne Morris)

▶️ Ready to uncover your unique blueprint? Order your DNA Test & Metabolic Breakthrough Assessment:  Click HERE to Order MY DNA Test & Assessment
 
Most people assume their health struggles are random — or just a part of “getting older.”But what if your body has been giving you clues all along… hidden in your DNA?
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Shayne Morris & Derrick Reynolds join Dr. Leona Allen to reveal how your genes influence everything from metabolism and detox to how you respond to caffeine, fat, and stress.
They unpack what nutrigenomics really means and how a simple cheek-swab test can help you personalize your nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle for long-term health freedom.
 
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ How your DNA determines your nutrient needs and detox capacity✅ The difference between genetic risk and lifestyle expression✅ Why popular diets like keto work for some but backfire for others✅ The link between genes, fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight✅ What SNPs (genetic variants) are—and how to read them without fear✅ How to use DNA data to fine-tune supplements and lifestyle choices✅ What it really means when your test shows a “high-risk” trait✅ Why DNA testing is a game-changer for preventive and personalized care✅ How clinicians and individuals can integrate DNA results with labs and hormone testing
 
 
🔗 Connect with Dr Shayne Morris:
🌐 Website: https://alimentumlabs.com/
📱 Social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Dr. Leona
▶️ Watch this before trying another diet, exercise routine, or weight loss plan: beginhealingtoday.com/
▶️ Schedule a Breakthrough Call: talktodrleona.com/
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | X | Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers that are holding you back from getting well. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms, that is the heal deal!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing with a friend.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care!
 
Dr. Leona
Host, The Heal Deal Podcast
Founder, Freedom Health Systems
Author, A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
 
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen, especially if you're taking medications or have underlying health conditions.

#74. Foods That Heal (and Foods That Harm): The Untold Story Between What You Eat and Cancer with Dr. Michael Gaeta

Most people are taught that cancer is purely genetic — a roll of the dice.But science shows that up to 95 percent of cases are linked to lifestyle, not DNA.That means your daily food choices can either feed the disease or fortify your body against it.
In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Michael Gaeta joins Dr. Leona Allen to expose the hidden connection between diet and disease. Together they unpack what really drives modern cancer rates and how you can turn your kitchen into your first line of defense.
 
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ The real difference between genetic risk and lifestyle triggers
✅ Why sugar is the preferred fuel for tumor growth
✅ How environmental toxins, GMOs, and seed oils raise cancer risk
✅ The truth about cholesterol, healthy fats, and cell protection
✅ Key foods that lower inflammation and boost “cancer resistance”
✅ Simple ways to transition to a 90/10 whole-food lifestyle
✅ Why cruciferous vegetables, garlic, turmeric, and green tea belong on your plate
✅ The overlooked power of fermented foods and wheatgrass juice
✅ How to build a diet that supports your body’s natural defense systems
 
 
🔗 Connect with Dr. Michael Gaeta:
🌐 Website: michaelgaeta.com
📱 Social: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube
🎧 Podcast: Mondays with Michael
Comprehensive nutrition & lifestyle education: CancerCourse.com
Connect with Dr. Leona
▶️ Watch this before trying another diet, exercise routine, or weight loss plan: beginhealingtoday.com/
▶️ Schedule a Breakthrough Call: talktodrleona.com/
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | X | Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers that are holding you back from getting well. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms, that is the heal deal!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing with a friend.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care!
 
Dr. Leona
Host, The Heal Deal Podcast
Founder, Freedom Health Systems
Author, A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
 
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen, especially if you're taking medications or have underlying health conditions.

#73. The Metabolic Reset Summit: How to Master Your Body and Mind During Menopause

What if menopause wasn’t the beginning of decline — but your body’s invitation to reset, rebuild, and rise stronger than ever?
In this special episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen takes you behind the scenes of The Metabolic Reset Summit: Menopause Mastery, happening this week (October 6-10, 2025).
Twelve world-class experts — including functional doctors, movement specialists, and mindset mentors — are sharing how to restore balance, energy, and confidence through midlife and beyond.
From hormones and fasting to gut health and emotional resilience, this summit is your roadmap to mastering both your body and your mind in menopause.
Whether you’ve just started noticing changes or you’ve been struggling for years, this week’s sessions will help you connect the dots and finally understand what your body has been trying to tell you.
 
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ The truth about hormonal imbalance — and how it impacts metabolism, energy, and weight in midlife✅ Why mindset is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for hormone balance and healing✅ How to exercise smarter, not harder, to build strength and stability without burnout✅ What cravings really mean — and how to rewire your body’s communication with food✅ The science behind fasting, inflammation, and resetting insulin resistance naturally✅ How to interpret hormone testing the right way so you can finally get answers, not confusion✅ Why gut health, inflammation, and skin health are all deeply connected in menopause✅ The practical steps to create a calm, balanced, and thriving body in this new season of life
 
 
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Reserve your spot for The Metabolic Reset Summit: Menopause Mastery:TheMetabolicResetSummit.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition.

#72. Redefine Menopause: What If Menopause Was a Superpower?

What if menopause wasn’t the end — but the beginning of a powerful new chapter?
In this episode of The Heal Deal Podcast, Dr. Leona Allen redefines menopause from decline to renewal, drawing wisdom from cultures around the world. From Japan’s “Second Spring” to India’s liberation, China’s rebirth, and Africa’s spiritual elevation, you’ll discover how women across the globe embrace menopause as freedom, vitality, and wisdom.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed, broken, or stuck in the Western narrative of menopause as decline, this episode will give you a fresh perspective. It’s time to rewrite the story and embrace menopause as your season of renewal.
 
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ Why Western medicine frames menopause as decline — and why that view is so limiting✅ How Japan sees menopause as konenki, or “Second Spring”✅ India’s view of menopause as liberation and earned respect✅ The Chinese perspective of menopause as rebirth and harmony✅ How African and Indigenous traditions honor menopause as spiritual awakening and wisdom✅ Practical ways to redefine your own story and step into renewal
 
 
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Reserve your free spot for The Metabolic Reset Summit: Menopause Mastery:TheMetabolicResetSummit.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition

#71. Menopause Mastery: The Midlife Reset Every Woman Needs

Have you been told your symptoms are “just part of getting older” — even though you feel exhausted, foggy, inflamed, and unlike yourself?
In this solo episode, I uncover the truth about midlife and menopause — and why so many women are left dismissed, confused, and struggling. For too long, menopause has been pathologized as a disease, rather than understood as a natural transition that requires a new approach.
The reality? Midlife isn’t the beginning of decline — it’s your opportunity for a reset. A reset of your hormones, your metabolism, your energy, and your relationship with your health.
 
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ The history of how menopause became medicalized and misunderstood✅ Why perimenopause is “hormonal chaos,” not a gentle decline✅ How metabolic shifts in midlife make old diet and exercise rules stop working✅ The myths and misconceptions that keep women feeling broken✅ A functional medicine perspective on turning symptoms into signals for healing✅ How to reclaim your power, shift your mindset, and become the CEO of your health
 
 
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Reserve your free spot for The Metabolic Reset Summit: Menopause Mastery:TheMetabolicResetSummit.com
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition

#70. Beyond Normal: Why Normal Lab Results Don't Mean Optimal Health

Have you ever been told your lab results are “normal” — even though you feel anything but normal?
In this solo episode, I uncover the hidden truth about standard lab ranges and why they often fail to catch problems early. The healthcare system calls “average” normal, but average in today’s world usually means overweight, inflamed, and metabolically broken. No wonder so many people are left exhausted, gaining weight, and struggling with brain fog — while their labs say “everything’s fine.”
 
🎧 LISTEN NOW to discover:
✅ Why “normal” lab ranges only reflect averages, not health✅ The critical difference between normal and optimal values✅ How functional medicine catches problems years before traditional medicine does✅ Real examples of thyroid, iron, and vitamin D labs that were “normal” but far from healthy✅ Steps you can take today to move beyond average and start aiming for optimal
 
🎧 In this episode:
00:00 — Introduction and Episode Overview00:08 — The Frustration of Normal Lab Results02:05 — Normal Is Just Average (and Average Isn’t Healthy)04:54 — The Pitfalls of Conventional Lab Ranges05:32 — Free Breakthrough Training: Why 88% of Americans are metabolically broken06:12 — By the Time Labs Call It Abnormal, the Damage Is Done08:26 — The Functional Medicine Approach09:14 — Optimal Ranges Change Everything09:52 — Optimizing Your Health11:34 — Conclusion and Next Steps
 
🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
▶️ Watch this before starting another diet, supplement, or workout plan:https://beginhealingtoday.com
 
💬 Let’s Connect:
📸 Instagram | 📘 Facebook | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 X | 🌐 Website
 
THE HEAL DEAL
I'm making a deal with you to help you remove the physical, chemical, and emotional barriers holding you back from healing. All I need from you is to feel, deal, and heal. Those are the terms—that is The Heal Deal.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, seal the deal to heal by leaving a review and sharing this episode with someone who needs it.
Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care.
—Dr. Leona AllenHost, The Heal Deal PodcastFounder, Freedom Health SystemsAuthor: A Journey to Healing | Freedom in Chains | Shop & Savor
🛑 Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen—especially if you are taking medication or managing a chronic condition