Nutrition Foundations for Hypermobility with Jennifer Parkinson

Host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes Jennifer Parkinson, a certified functional nutrition practitioner and founder of EDS Nutritionist, who supports people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, MCAS, and POTS.   Jennifer shares her long journey from early joint pain, repeated shoulder surgeries, gut and gynecologic surgeries, dizziness and brain fog, and eventual EDS diagnosis after years of dismissal, to pursuing functional nutrition training. She explains differences among nutrition professionals, emphasizing individualized, root-cause approaches rather than one-size-fits-all diets.   Key themes include stabilizing blood sugar, assessing mineral patterns, histamine “bucket” concepts, and iron dysregulation. She also highlights how mineral balance can impact pain, muscle-building, and subluxations alongside physical therapy.   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Jennifer Parkinson 01:50 Early Symptoms and Surgeries 03:50 Finally Naming EDS 06:09 Finding Functional Nutrition 09:35 Credentials and Training Paths 11:10 Nutrition Is Individual 12:48 Minerals Explained 15:04 Foundations Beyond Food 16:22 Sensitive Bodies and Normal Labs 17:55 Iron and Next Steps 18:00 Iron Testing Pitfalls 19:07 Iron Overload Clues 20:16 Liver Link to Iron 22:33 Liver Support Basics 23:36 Castor Oil Packs 24:46 Minerals and Blood Sugar 27:30 Protein and Meal Timing 29:22 Signs of Dysregulated Glucose 30:20 Minerals for Joint Stability 33:46 Whole Body Approach 34:17 Where to Find Jennifer 34:48 Final Wrap Up