Can you prevent preeclampsia? In this deep dive, we look at the root causes, proposed mechanisms, and holistic support strategies for one of the most serious complications of pregnancy. We are learning more about what may contribute to preeclampsia, including placental development, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial health, genetics, nutrient status, paternal factors, the microbiome, environmental toxins, and long-term cardiovascular risk.

Aspirin is one of the most recommended prevention tools, and in this episode we get into why it is used, what it actually does, and where its benefits seem strongest. But it turns out, there may be a lot more to the prevention conversation.

In this episode, we cover:

• What preeclampsia is and how it is diagnosed
• The two-stage model of preeclampsia: abnormal placental development and maternal vascular dysfunction
• Oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, platelet activation, and endothelial health
• Genetic factors: MTHFR, homocysteine, methylation issues
• Epigenetics: how lifestyle may influence gene expression in pregnancy
• Environmental toxins, including BPA, phthalates, PFAS, heavy metals, air pollution, and placental health
• The paternal factor: semen exposure, paternal antigens, sperm health, obesity, and immune tolerance
• Gut, vaginal, oral, and urinary microbiome research
• COVID infection, COVID vaccination data, and preeclampsia risk
• Why preeclampsia is linked to future cardiovascular disease
• What the evidence actually says about baby aspirin
• Supplements that may help with prevention: Calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, lycopene, omega-3s, CoQ10, NAC, and more
• Nutrition: the DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, fiber, probiotics, and food-first nutrition strategies
• Exercise in pregnancy and what we know about hypertensive disorders
• Sleep, obstructive sleep apnea, and preeclampsia risk
• Mind-body medicine, stress physiology, mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, and blood pressure regulation
• How to think about prevention without fear, blame, or over-supplementing

The full episode transcript with citations for all studies mentioned can be found at: drmaryellawood.com

In this episode I’m joined by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry for a deep dive into integrative dermatology, acne, hair loss, pregnancy skincare, postpartum hair loss, anti-aging skincare, Ayurveda, hormones, nutrition, supplements, and the gut-skin axis.

In addition to being a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Berry has advanced training in integrative dermatology and Ayurvedic culinary medicine.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Integrative dermatology and whole-person skin health (including nutrition, supplements, conventional treatments and more)
• Acne, hormones and the gut-skin axis
• Hair loss, including postpartum hair loss
• Pregnancy skincare and pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients
• Anti-aging skincare and skin longevity
• Inflammatory skin conditions
• Ayurveda, including a dive into doshas and how they relate to skin health
• How conventional dermatology and holistic medicine can work together

Learn more about Dr. Asmi Berry:

Website: https://www.drasmiberry.com/

Clinic: https://bhskin.com/about-us/asmi-berry/

Instagram: @drasmiberry

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drasmiberry

In Part 5 of Detox in a Toxic World, we explore digital detox and the new age of toxins. From screens, social media, and overstimulation to light pollution, red light therapy, EMFs, grounding, and nature therapy, this episode looks at how modern life may be shaping the nervous system, sleep, circadian rhythm, inflammation, and overall health.

This is a grounded, evidence-based look at what the research does and does not show, along with practical ways to reduce digital burden and support a more regulated, resilient body in a world that is not just chemically toxic, but cognitively and energetically overwhelming.

Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides

In Part 4 of Detox in a Toxic World, we take an evidence-based look at detox supplements, cleanses, binders, protocols, and some of the most common products being sold in the name of detox. From milk thistle, NAC, glutathione, and sulforaphane to activated charcoal, clay binders, detox teas, colon cleanses, and coffee enemas, this episode breaks down what may actually be supportive, what has limited evidence, and what may be harmful.

We also talk about how to think more clearly about “detox supplements” versus supplements that support the body’s natural detox pathways, why dramatic reactions are often mistaken for healing, and how to stay grounded in physiology rather than marketing.

Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides

In Part 3 of Detox in a Toxic World, we take a closer look at what “detox” actually means and how the body is already doing it every single day. This episode breaks down the body’s major detox and elimination pathways, including the liver, gut, kidneys, lungs, skin, lymphatic system, and glymphatic system, and explains how these beautifully coordinated processes help clear hormones, waste products, and environmental compounds.

We also walk through practical, evidence-based ways to support these natural detox mechanisms, including nutrition, hydration, movement, sweating, lymphatic support, sleep, mind-body medicine, and time in nature.

Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides

In Part 2 of Detox in a Toxic World, we move from understanding the problem to actually doing something about it. This episode is all about reducing exposures to toxins, starting in the place where many of us have the most control: the home. We explore the idea of the home as a health ecosystem and walk through practical ways to lower your total toxic burden without falling into fear, perfectionism, or overwhelm.

We cover simple low-cost first steps, food storage and cooking tools, pantry and food choices, air quality, mold and moisture, water filtration, cleaning products, personal care products, and even the role of furniture, textiles, and clothing in shaping everyday exposure. This episode is designed to help you think more clearly about what matters most, where to start, and how small changes in the home can add up over time.

Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides

Today we’re kicking off a new series, Detox in a Toxic World, with a deep dive into environmental toxins and their impact on health. In this episode, we break down what environmental toxins actually are, how they affect the body, and why this topic is both real and often wildly misunderstood. We walk through the major categories of toxins in modern life, including microplastics, pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, food additives, and synthetic dyes, and explain the key mechanisms through which they may drive inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, and more.

We also explore one of the biggest questions in this space: why do some people seem to tolerate environmental exposures just fine, while others develop chronic symptoms and disease? This episode is here to give you a more balanced, evidence-based, and deeper look at a topic that is too often led by fear, oversimplification, and misinformation, so you can better understand what matters, what may not, and how to think about your health more clearly.

Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides

Longevity medicine is one of the most exciting frontiers in modern healthcare. With new technology, more advanced biomarker testing, deeper aging research, and emerging interventions that aim to help us better understand and potentially shape the biology of aging, the field is opening up an entirely new level of conversation about healthspan, vitality, and the future of medicine.

Today, we dive deeper into the roots of longevity medicine and why, in many ways, those roots have long existed within integrative medicine. We explore how the science of aging is evolving, why the most evidence-based longevity interventions still bring us back to foundational principles, and how older healing systems were thinking about vitality and healthy aging long before the modern longevity movement had a name for it.

In this episode, we cover:

• why longevity is having such a major moment
• what longevity medicine actually is
• the future-facing power of the fundamentals: nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and connection
• functional medicine as a longevity framework
• the wisdom of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• what this means for the future of medicine
• what you can start focusing on today to support your vitality and healthspan

Website: drmaryellawood.com

Instagram: @drmaryella