hol+ with Dr. Taz MD | The Future of Medicine is Holistic

Can grief cause physical symptoms? Learn how loss may affect cortisol, inflammation, hormone balance, heart health, sleep, energy, and the nervous system. Grief is not only an emotional experience. It can affect the brain and body, yet many people feel pressured to stay strong, move on, or process their loss alone. In this episode, grief expert David Kessler explains what grief does to us physically and emotionally, why grief must be witnessed, and how meaningful healing can begin.
We explore the five stages of grief, why they are not linear, and the misconceptions surrounding denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. David also shares how losing his 21-year-old son led him to identify meaning as the sixth stage of grief and explains why meaning is not found in the tragedy itself, but in what we choose to do afterward.
David and Dr. Taz discuss the physical symptoms of grief, broken heart syndrome, post-traumatic growth, isolation, grief in men, and what to say when someone you love is grieving. They also explain why grief can result from divorce, betrayal, job loss, illness, lost identity, or the loss of the future you expected, not only the death of a loved one.
This conversation is for educational purposes and should not replace individualized medical or mental health care. Chest pain and other concerning physical symptoms should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
Subscribe for weekly conversations about physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and comment below: What do you wish more people understood about grief?
About David Kessler:
David Kessler is one of the world’s leading experts on grief and loss. He co-authored two books with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, including On Grief and Grieving, and later introduced meaning as the sixth stage of grief in his bestselling book Finding Meaning.
His first book, The Needs of the Dying, received praise from Mother Teresa. David has also served as an LAPD specialist reserve for traumatic events and with the Red Cross disaster services team. He is the founder of Grief.com, which provides resources, support groups, and training for people experiencing grief and the professionals who support them.

Connect with David Kessler:
https://grief.com/
https://www.instagram.com/iamdavidkessler/
https://www.facebook.com/IamDavidKessler/
https://www.tiktok.com/@iamdavidkessler

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician, bestselling author, and founder of hol+, a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about
Stay Connected:
Connect further with hol+ at https://holplus.co/ and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation:
https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/
Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Subscribe to the audio podcast:
https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts
Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Can stem cell therapy help the body repair itself? Learn how stem cells may influence inflammation, immune function, tissue regeneration, brain health, and aging.
Stem cell therapy is one of the most talked-about areas of regenerative medicine, but not all stem cells or treatments are the same. In this episode, Dr. Joy Kong explains how stem cells work, why their source matters, and what patients should investigate before choosing a treatment or clinic.
We explore the differences between bone marrow, fat-derived, and umbilical cord-derived stem cells, along with IV infusions, local injections, PRP, and exosomes. Dr. Kong also discusses emerging research and clinical observations involving chronic inflammation, neurological health, joint pain, skin, hair loss, aging, and cancer.
Many of the treatments and potential applications discussed remain experimental and are not established treatments for the conditions mentioned. This conversation is for educational purposes and should not replace individualized medical advice.
Subscribe for weekly health and longevity breakdowns, and comment below: Would you ever consider stem cell therapy?
If you are managing chronic inflammation, exploring ways to support healthy aging, or looking for personalized cancer support, explore related Hol+ care options here:
Inflammation:
https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/
Longevity and Anti-Aging:
https://holplus.co/services/longevity-anti-aging/
0:00 Can Stem Cells Help the Body Heal?
0:57 Meet Dr. Joy Kong
7:28 What Is a Stem Cell?
14:49 Bone Marrow, Fat, and Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
17:10 How to Evaluate Stem Cell Quality and Safety
23:00 IV Stem Cells, Injections, PRP, and Exosomes
33:45 Stem Cells and Cancer
40:26 Brain Health and Neurological Conditions
42:20 Skin, Hair, Anti-Aging, and Weight Loss
48:01 The Future of Stem Cell Medicine
55:19 Stem Cell Costs and Overseas Clinics
59:04 Dr. Kong’s Approach to Health and Longevity
About Dr. Joy Kong:
Dr. Joy Kong is a UCLA-trained, triple board-certified physician specializing in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. She is the founder of the American Academy of Integrative Cell Therapy, where she educates physicians about stem cell therapy and other regenerative treatments.
After beginning her career in psychiatry, Dr. Kong became interested in stem cells after learning about their potential applications beyond conventional symptom management. Her work now focuses on regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy, peptides, longevity, and educating patients and physicians about this rapidly developing field.
Connect with Dr. Joy Kong:
https://joykongmd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dr_joy_kong/
https://www.youtube.com/@joykongmd
https://chara-health.com/podcast/
About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about
Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/
Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts
Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

https://holplus.co/appointments Are we over-treating breast cancer? Learn why metabolic dysfunction may be the real driver behind many diagnoses and how to rethink treatment.
Approximately 20 to 30 percent of screen detected breast cancer cases are treated unnecessarily. This video challenges the current standard of breast cancer treatment by focusing on the underlying metabolic health factors that often go unaddressed. If you are concerned about the current approach to screening or are looking for a more preventative perspective, this discussion provides a critical look at how we diagnose and manage the disease.
We break down the three major drivers that contribute to long-standing metabolic dysfunction. By identifying these root causes, we can move toward a more accurate breast cancer diagnosis and more effective, targeted strategies for long-term health.
Subscribe for weekly health and metabolic disease breakdowns, and comment below with your thoughts on these new findings.
If you are navigating cancer treatment or recovery, concerned about inflammation, or want personalized support for your hormones and nutrition, explore related Hol+ care options here:
Cancer Support:
https://holplus.co/services/cancer-support/
Inflammation:
https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/
Hormone Balancing:
https://holplus.co/services/hormone-balancing/
0:00 Rethinking Breast Cancer Care
1:04 Meet Dr. Jen Simmons
2:59 A Family History of Cancer
6:53 When the Doctor Becomes the Patient
12:53 Why We Focus on the Wrong Thing
18:51 Navigating a Diagnosis
23:24 The Flaws in Mammographic Screening
35:17 A New Paradigm for Breast Health
*About Dr. Jenn Simmons:*
Dr. Jenn Simmons is an Integrative Oncologist, Breast Surgeon, Author, Podcast Host, and the founder of PerfeQTion Imaging. Her journey into breast cancer care began with a personal tragedy. At the age of 16, Dr. Jenn's cousin, acclaimed singer-songwriter Linda Creed, died of metastatic breast cancer just weeks after Whitney Houston's recording of her iconic song, "The Greatest Love of All," topped the charts. This loss became a defining moment, inspiring Dr. Jenn to dedicate her life to transforming how we approach breast cancer treatment and prevention.
Dr. Jenn became Philadelphia's first fellowship-trained breast surgeon and spent 17 years leading the field. However, her perspective changed significantly when she became a patient herself. Through this personal experience, Dr. Jenn saw how broken the conventional medical system can be. This led her to discover and embrace functional medicine, a revelation that sparked her journey towards a more holistic approach to breast cancer care.
Connect with Dr. Jenn Simmons:
https://www.realhealthmd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/
https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons
About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about
Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/
Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts
Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/
Why aren’t you losing weight, even when you’re eating well, exercising, taking hormones, or using a GLP-1? If the scale will not budge, stubborn belly fat keeps returning, or your cravings and energy feel impossible to control, cortisol may be blocking your progress.
In this solo episode of hol+, Dr. Taz explains how chronic stress and disrupted cortisol patterns affect your metabolism. She breaks down the connection between cortisol, blood sugar, insulin, inflammation, gut health, and visceral fat, revealing why weight loss can stall even when you feel like you are doing everything right.

You’ll also learn how cortisol patterns can change throughout the day, why a stressful event may affect your blood sugar for hours, and how chronic stress can alter your appetite, digestion, hormones, and response to weight-loss medications.
In this episode:
Why weight loss can stall despite diet and exercise
How cortisol affects your metabolism
Signs your natural cortisol rhythm may be disrupted
Why you may feel tired all day but wired at night
The connection between stress, blood sugar, and insulin
How cortisol increases cravings for sugar, salt, and comfort foods
Why stress can promote visceral belly fat
How chronic inflammation blocks metabolic progress
Why GLP-1 medications may appear to stop working
How stress affects digestion and the gut microbiome
Why cortisol may contribute to bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
What a four-point cortisol test can reveal
How lowering cortisol can support metabolic health
Learn more about cortisol testing, stress-related weight gain, and the hol+ approach:
https://holplus.co/services/cortisol-stress/

Learn more about hol+ and schedule an appointment:
https://holplus.co/

Listen to more episodes of the hol+ podcast:
https://holplus.co/podcast/

If you know someone who is struggling to lose weight despite doing everything right, share this episode with them. Subscribe for new episodes about hormones, metabolism, gut health, inflammation, healthy aging, and whole-person healing every week.
Stay Connected:
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/
Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts
Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift
Chapters
00:00 Why You’re Not Losing Weight Despite Diet and Exercise
01:21 How High Cortisol Causes Weight Gain
03:37 High Cortisol Symptoms: Tired All Day, Awake at Night
04:24 How Cortisol Affects Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance
06:47 How to Break the Chronic Stress and Cortisol Loop
08:56 Why Blood Sugar Spikes Cause Fat Storage
10:13 Why Stress Causes Sugar and Salt Cravings
14:12 How Chronic Inflammation Blocks Weight Loss
19:57 How Stress and Cortisol Affect Gut Health
23:40 How to Test Cortisol When Weight Loss Stalls
Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

What if breast cancer risk is not determined only by your genes or family history? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with double board-certified breast cancer surgeon and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Kristi Funk to discuss why breast cancer is becoming more common, especially among younger women, and what women can do to better understand and potentially reduce their risk.
Dr. Funk explains why 95% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a BRCA mutation and why 87% do not have a first-degree relative with the disease. Together, Dr. Taz and Dr. Funk explore how food, alcohol, exercise, body weight, stress, inflammation, environmental toxins, sleep, and hormone therapy may influence breast health.
They also break down some of the most confusing questions surrounding breast cancer screening and treatment. Do mammograms cause cancer? Is ultrasound a good alternative? When should women begin breast exams? Are some cases of stage zero breast cancer being overtreated? And how much does menopause hormone therapy actually increase breast cancer risk?
Breast cancer screening is important, but screening and prevention are not the same thing. Understanding your individual risk factors can help you have better conversations with your doctor and make more informed decisions about your health.
If you are navigating cancer treatment or recovery, concerned about inflammation, or want personalized support for your hormones and nutrition, explore related Hol+ care options here:
Cancer Support:
https://holplus.co/services/cancer-support/
Inflammation:
https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/
Hormone Balancing:
https://holplus.co/services/hormone-balancing/
About Dr. Kristi Funk:

Dr. Kristi Funk is a double board-certified breast cancer surgeon, lifestyle medicine physician, bestselling author, and international speaker. She graduated from Stanford University and received her medical degree from UC Davis before completing her surgical residency and breast cancer fellowship.
Dr. Funk previously served as Director of the Cedars-Sinai Breast Center and co-founded the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles, where she continues to practice. She has helped thousands of women navigate breast health and breast cancer, including Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow. She is also the author of Breasts: The Owner’s Manual and the founder of the Cancer-Kicking! Summit.
Connect with Dr. Kristi Funk:
https://www.instagram.com/drkristifunk
https://pinklotus.com/

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, also known as Dr. Taz, is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician, bestselling author, and founder of hol+, a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/
Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts
Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
0:00 Why breast cancer is rising
6:20 Why most cases are not genetic
14:53 The biggest breast cancer risk factors
34:25 How stress and inflammation affect risk
40:33 Breast exams, mammograms, and screening
49:40 Are we overtreating stage zero breast cancer?
57:20 Hormone therapy and breast cancer risk