74: Breaking the Anxiety Cycle: Gut Health, Diet Culture, and True Healing with Kerri Axelrod

Anxiety is everywhere—but what’s really causing it? Join Dr. Jenn Simmons and functional medicine dietitian Kerri Axelrod as they unpack the hidden links between anxiety, gut health, and diet. From Kerri’s high-stress career shift to her insights on breaking free from diet culture, this episode is packed with eye-opening revelations on how to heal your nervous system, manage stress, and fuel your body for lasting mental health. Don’t miss this game-changing conversation!"In This Episode, You'll Learn:Anxiety fuels a cycle of mental and physical health issues.Kerri Axelrod's health journey led her from politics to functional medicine.Functional medicine targets root causes, not just symptoms.Gut health and the gut-brain connection are vital to mental health.Diet and lifestyle choices profoundly influence anxiety and well-being.Stress disrupts digestion and healing, making nervous system balance essential.Circadian rhythm alignment supports health and resilience.Blood sugar regulation is critical for mental and physical health.Food quality and access greatly impact health, especially in children.Breaking diet culture requires education, awareness, and support.Episode Timeline:00:00 Understanding the Anxiety Epidemic06:03 Kerri Axelrod's Journey to Health12:04 The Shift from Politics to Health17:47 The Gut-Brain Connection24:01 Breaking Free from Diet Culture30:00 Healing Through Nervous System Regulation35:56 Nutrition Fundamentals for Mental and Physical Health44:16 Exploring Gut Health and Its Connection to Anxiety51:55 The Need for Policy Change in Food Production57:21 The Impact of Food Choices on Children's HealthKerri Axelrod, RD, LDN, is a nationally recognized functional medicine dietitian and founder of Kerri Axelrod Wellness, specializing in gut health, hormone balance, and mental well-being. Inspired by her own health challenges during a high-stress political career, Kerri transitioned into nutrition to help clients uncover the root causes of digestive and mood-related symptoms. A graduate of Simmons University and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she has completed advanced training in functional medicine and worked with leading institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and The UltraWellness Center. Kerri's expertise has been featured in top publications like Real Simple, Well + Good, and Prevention Magazine, and her REVIVE program empowers clients to achieve lasting relief from symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and anxiety without restrictive dieting.To talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working with Dr. Jenn visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/clarity-callTo get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuideConnect with Dr. Jenn:Website:  https://www.perfeqtionimaging.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmonsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons