Healing the Root Cause of Chronic Disease | Chris Kresser, MS, LAc

Why do so many conventional treatments fail to solve chronic health problems? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Chris Kresser, MS, LAc, former functional medicine practitioner and New York Times bestselling author, reveals how a systems-based approach uncovers and addresses the true drivers of disease—leading to lasting results instead of temporary symptom relief. Drawing on over 15 years of clinical practice, Chris explains the critical differences between functional, integrative, and conventional medicine, sharing remarkable stories of patients who reversed serious autoimmune conditions, avoided major surgery, and reclaimed their health. He breaks down how environmental triggers, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and lifestyle factors interact to cause chronic illness—and how personalized nutrition and lab testing can uncover the hidden causes conventional ranges often miss. What you'll learn: Why functional medicine asks "why" instead of just suppressing symptoms with drugs or supplements How a patient with severe Crohn's disease avoided intestinal surgery and healed in weeks Why conventional lab ranges often overlook early nutrient deficiencies The most common nutrient shortfalls: potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, EPA/DHA, iron, zinc, and B12 Why there's no one-size-fits-all diet—and how to create a personalized nutrition template The 80/20 principle: why striving for perfection can harm your health How social connection and stress management can be as important as diet for healing Chris also shares his surprising take on vegan, carnivore, and omnivorous diets, explains how lab work can reveal dietary patterns, and tells the story of the "beer and pizza" recovery that transformed a patient's life. Whether you're facing unexplained symptoms, frustrated by conventional treatments, or simply curious about holistic approaches, this episode offers a masterclass in root cause medicine from one of the field's most experienced voices. Find Chris Kresser's work at chriskresser.com and kresserinstitute.com. Connect with Chris on Instagram, X, and Facebook. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.