The School of Doza Podcast

On this Wellness Tech Series episode, Nurse Doza breaks down why red light therapy has become his go-to biohacking tool for mitochondrial health. He reviews the handheld LightpathLED panel he travels with — a dual-mode device combining red and blue light to regenerate cells, support skin health, and combat the effects of low solar exposure. Easy to use, easy to charge, and powerful enough to deliver results in just 10 minutes a day.

Featured Partner: LightpathLED
LightpathLED builds professional-grade red light therapy panels engineered for at-home and travel use — including compact handheld combo devices that deliver red (670 nm) and blue (450 nm) wavelengths in a single unit. That dual-mode technology directly addresses the two benefits Nurse Doza highlights in this episode: mitochondrial regeneration through red light and skin clarity through blue light. With the industry's densest LED count per square inch and a 5-year warranty, it's the red light panel built for people who are serious about their mitochondrial health.
👉 Get your LightpathLED red light panel here: https://lightpathled.com/
👉 Use code NURSEDOZA at 

5 Key Takeaways
Red light regenerates your mitochondria. Red and near-infrared light in the 600–1000 nm range is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, increasing ATP production and cellular energy. This is the foundational mechanism that makes red light therapy powerful for whole-body recovery.
Most of us are solar-starved. Indoor living, screens, and chronic stress leave most people deficient in the red-spectrum light their cells need to function. A handheld red light panel isn't a replacement for sunlight — but it's the next best thing for daily cellular maintenance.
There's serious mitochondrial density in your eyes and brain. Red and near-infrared wavelengths in the 600–1000 nm range can penetrate bone to reach brain tissue, supporting cognitive function and visual health — two areas where mitochondrial support matters most as we age.
Blue light mode handles skin and acne. The LightpathLED combo panel pairs red light with ~450 nm blue light, which targets oil production and acne-causing bacteria. Around 10 minutes a day can deliver measurable skin improvements in weeks.
10 minutes a day is the game-changer. You don't need a full biohacking clinic. A handheld panel used once daily — morning is ideal — compounds into significant cellular, skin, and mood benefits over a few months. Consistency beats intensity.

Resources
"Mechanisms and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling in Photobiomodulation" — PMC review detailing how red and near-infrared light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, increasing ATP production and triggering beneficial redox signaling.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5844808/
"Light stimulation of mitochondria reduces blood glucose levels" — Journal of Biophotonics 2024 study showing a 15-minute exposure to 670 nm red light reduced post-meal blood glucose elevation by 27.7% — direct evidence that photobiomodulation improves metabolic function.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38378043/
"From Light to Healing: Photobiomodulation Therapy in Medical Disciplines" — 2024 systematic review in PMC covering PBM's evolution from an adjunctive therapy to an evidence-based modality influencing mitochondrial bioenergetics, neuroplasticity, and tissue regeneration across dermatology, musculoskeletal, and neurological applications.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12751248/
"Visible Light in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris" — 2024 systematic review of 35 studies and 1,185 acne cases finding 92% of patients achieved partial remission of acne lesions using visible light therapy, with blue light being the most effective modality.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11585190/
"Effect of Red Light on Epidermal Proliferation and Mitochondrial Activity" — PMC study demonstrating that 630 nm red light increases both epidermal cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity in human skin, supporting red light's role in skin health and regeneration.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10462800/

Fatty liver and insulin resistance form a dangerous loop driving diabetes, dementia, and colon cancer. Learn what causes this cycle, what happens when it keeps running, and how diet, fasting, the Mediterranean diet, and targeted supplements can break it for good.

FEATURED PRODUCT
The Good Poops Protocol — combining Liver Boost, Gut Powder, and Berberine Plus — directly targets both sides of the fatty liver and insulin resistance loop discussed in this episode. Liver Boost supports your liver's ability to process fats and manage detoxification, Berberine Plus has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines, and Gut Powder addresses the digestive consequences — bloating, constipation, and gut dysfunction — that compound when this loop goes unchecked. Together, these three work on the liver, the blood sugar, and the gut simultaneously, which is exactly what this episode makes clear you need.

👉 Get the Good Poops Protocol here: https://goodpoops.org

JOIN THE SCHOOL
If this episode hit home — if you recognized yourself in the fatty liver, high insulin, or gut dysfunction piece — the School of Doza is exactly where you need to be. Every Wednesday we host a live one-hour Ask Me Anything that functions like a group consult. Bring your labs, your diet questions, your supplement stack, your specific symptoms — and get direct guidance in real time. You're not doing this alone. There's an entire community of people working through the same metabolic challenges, and you can be part of it starting today. Your first seven days are completely free.

👉 Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Fatty liver and insulin resistance are a two-way loop. The liver helps regulate insulin, and insulin helps regulate the liver — meaning if one is dysfunctional, the other follows. You can't fix one without addressing the other.

Diet is both the cause and the cure. Bread, rice, pasta, processed foods, and excess sugar drive fatty liver and high insulin. Fasting and the Mediterranean diet are backed by research to reverse both conditions — no medication required.

The consequences go far beyond the liver. This loop is directly linked to colon cancer, dementia (type 3 diabetes), chronic fatigue, and severe digestive dysfunction. Ignoring it doesn't keep it contained — it spreads.

Adiponectin and leptin are the hormones most doctors aren't checking. Low adiponectin and high leptin are associated with fatty liver, insulin resistance, colorectal cancer, and dementia. Along with insulin and GGT, these are the four labs you need to be tracking.

Berberine is one of the most research-supported supplements for breaking this loop. It lowers insulin, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), and has been shown to increase adiponectin — directly targeting the metabolic dysfunction driving this cycle.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – START – Welcome and episode overview

01:20 – The fatty liver and insulin resistance connection explained

03:00 – School of Doza AMA and free trial offer

04:10 – What's causing the loop: diet, bread, rice, and pasta

06:30 – How the liver processes insulin and why fatty liver means liver-based insulin resistance

08:00 – Generational diet trauma and the 15-year slow burn to fatty liver

10:20 – Advanced glycation end products, plaque, and the brain connection

12:30 – The inflammation loop: how a fatty liver loses its ability to make antioxidants

14:50 – Digestive consequences: bloating, constipation, SIBO, and gut dysfunction

16:30 – Colon cancer, colorectal risk, and the fatty liver link

18:50 – Adiponectin: the anti-inflammatory hormone no one is testing

21:30 – Leptin, carcinogenesis, and how fat cells regulate inflammation

24:00 – Labs to order: insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and GGT

27:00 – Solutions: fasting, Mediterranean diet, and resistance training

29:00 – Supplements: Berberine Plus, Liver Boost, and the Good Poops Protocol

31:00 – Closing: take action, share the episode, and join the School

RESOURCES

Pathophysiology of NAFLD — insulin resistance, obesity, and steatosis as precursor stages. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10638269/

The liver's role in glucose homeostasis and insulin degradation via insulinase and IDE. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11850106/

Peripheral insulin resistance, IDE activation, and advanced glycation end product accumulation. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8472298/

Adiponectin, NAFLD, and colorectal cancer risk — adiponectin deficiency, leptin-driven carcinogenesis, and HbA1c above 7% increasing colorectal cancer risk by 33% per 1% increase. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3523590/

NAFLD, dementia, and cognitive impairment — insulin resistance, hyperammonemia, gut microbiota disruption, and inflammation as neurological drivers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35831178/

Alternate-day fasting and fatty liver disease — improved insulin sensitivity, reduced liver fat, and lower ALT markers over three months. https://today.uic.edu/alternate-day-fasting-a-good-option-for-patients-with-fatty-liver-disease/

Mediterranean diet, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes — antioxidants, fiber, MUFA, and omega-3 balance. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5960814/

Mediterranean diet reducing liver steatosis and improving insulin sensitivity in NAFLD without weight loss. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168827813001347

Resistance training and liver lipid reduction — 13% relative reduction in liver lipid, improved glucose control and insulin resistance. https://gut.bmj.com/content/60/9/1278

Berberine's role in treating NAFLD, obesity, and diabetes — LDLR, AMPK, and PPAR molecular targets. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12833932/

CONNECT
🔗 Connect with Nurse Doza: JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/

Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza

Feeling drained, foggy, and inflamed — and can't figure out why? In this episode of the supplement ingredient series, Nurse Doza breaks down glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. Produced in the liver and essential for fighting oxidative stress, glutathione levels are depleted in 1 in 4 people with fatty liver — making supplementation a game-changer for energy, brain clarity, digestion, and overall detox capacity.

 

 Featured Partner: SHED  

SHED delivers glutathione in a direct-to-bloodstream vial format — bypassing the gut degradation that makes most oral supplements ineffective. For anyone battling fatty liver, brain fog, low energy, or chronic inflammation (exactly the conditions discussed in this episode), SHED's bioavailable glutathione offers what diet alone can't replicate: fast, measurable antioxidant replenishment at the cellular level.

👉  Get SHED Glutathione — Use Code DOZA30

Use code DOZA30 at: https://tryshed.com

  Join the School of Doza  

If this episode hit home — if you're running low on energy, dealing with stubborn brain fog, or wondering why your body can't seem to keep up — the School of Doza was built for you. Inside, you'll join a community of people asking the same hard questions and finally getting real answers from a functional practitioner who connects the dots.

 

Every Wednesday at 1 PM Central, Nurse Doza hosts a live ask me anything group consult. Bring your labs, your supplement questions, your inflammation frustrations. Topics like glutathione depletion, liver health, gut-brain connection, hormones, and autoimmune dysfunction are all fair game. Some students ask questions, some just listen and learn — either way, you leave with clarity.

 

Not sure yet? Try it completely FREE for one week. Get inside, attend a Wednesday class, and see if this is the missing piece.

 

👉  Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

  5 Key Takeaways  

Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant — and most people are running low. Your liver produces it, but chronic stress, poor diet, and fatty liver disease rapidly deplete it. Low glutathione means your cells can't neutralize oxidative damage fast enough — and you feel it.

1 in 4 people worldwide have fatty liver — and fatty liver tanks glutathione. When liver function is compromised, your body's capacity to produce and recycle glutathione drops significantly, creating a cascade of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Supplementing glutathione can produce noticeable results fast. Patients commonly report better energy, reduced brain fog, improved digestion, and better gut motility within a short period of starting glutathione supplementation — because it addresses the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Brain fog isn't just mental — it's biochemical. Research links glutathione depletion in the brain to reduced memory, cognitive decline, and neuroinflammation. Restoring glutathione levels can improve mental clarity and neuroprotection.

Delivery method matters. Standard oral glutathione is broken down in the gut before it reaches your cells. Bioavailable formats — like SHED's vial delivery — are designed to improve absorption and maximize the antioxidant benefit where it counts.

  Resources  

"Glutathione Therapy in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" — 2025 literature review from PMC/PubMed examining glutathione supplementation in NAFLD patients across RCTs from 2014–2024, demonstrating promising potential for reducing oxidative stress, maintaining redox balance, and improving liver function.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11940638/

"Efficacy of Glutathione for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" — Open-label multicenter pilot study from PMC/NIH demonstrating that oral glutathione supplementation significantly reduced ALT levels in NAFLD patients, with measurable improvements in liver fat and oxidative stress markers.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5549431/

"Glutathione: Pharmacological Aspects and Implications for Clinical Use in NAFLD" — Frontiers in Medicine (2023) comprehensive review of glutathione's role in cellular detoxification, phase I and II liver metabolism, immune modulation, and its therapeutic potential in fatty liver disease.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1124275/full

"Glutathione in the Brain — NIH/PMC" — NIH review examining glutathione's central role in neuroprotection, brain antioxidant defense, and how GSH depletion is a common finding in cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and brain fog conditions.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125908/

"Alterations in Glutathione Redox Homeostasis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease" — 2024 systematic review (Antioxidants) analyzing 165 eligible studies on the relationship between low-molecular-weight thiols — especially glutathione — and the severity of fatty liver disease in humans.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/12/1461

Early-onset dementia is rising, and the warning signs show up decades before age 65. In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down 5 dementia warning signs most people overlook — from poor sleep and gut dysfunction to blood sugar, oral health, and omega-3 deficiency — and what you can do right now to protect your brain.

FEATURED PRODUCT
Brainesium by MSW Nutrition
Most magnesium supplements never reach the brain — but magnesium L-threonate does. Brainesium is the only magnesium formula shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, directly supporting synapse function, cognitive health, stress management, and sleep quality. Since sleep disruption and magnesium deficiency are both directly linked to dementia risk, Brainesium is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your brain long-term.
👉 Get Brainesium here: https://mswnutrition.com/products/brainesium

JOIN THE SCHOOL
This episode connects directly to what we teach inside the School of Doza. Sleep, gut health, blood sugar, and brain function aren't isolated topics — they're a system. And understanding that system is exactly what the School helps you do.
Inside the community, you'll find others who are actively working on the same things you heard about today — improving sleep, cleaning up their diet, supporting their liver, and taking their brain health seriously before it's too late. Every Wednesday, Nurse Doza hosts a live AMA session that functions like a group consult — where you can ask questions specific to your situation and get real answers.
If this episode hit home, the School is the next step. And right now, you can try it for free.
👉 Start your free trial: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Your sleep quality is a direct predictor of dementia risk. Poor sleep prevents the brain from clearing amyloid beta plaques — 

Your gut and liver are connected to your brain. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) shares key biological risk factors with dementia, including the APOE gene and adiponectin. Choline deficiency — common in people with fatty liver — is also linked to increased Alzheimer's risk.

Oral infections aren't just a dental problem. Periodontal pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis have been found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Gum disease, cavities, and poor oral hygiene are legitimate neurological risk factors.

Omega-3 deficiency is a dementia risk factor. DHA — found primarily in fatty fish — is a structural component of the brain. Studies show omega-3 intake can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by approximately 20%. Most Americans are chronically deficient.

High blood sugar is one of the most direct paths to Alzheimer's. Insulin resistance in the brain disrupts synaptic function, promotes amyloid plaque accumulation, and accelerates neurodegeneration. Type 3 diabetes is now another name for Alzheimer's — and it starts with diet.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – START – Welcome and episode overview
02:15 – Why dementia doesn't only happen to the elderly
04:30 – The Sleep With Me class inside the School of Doza
06:45 – Warning sign #1: Your sleep is off
12:00 – How the brain cleans itself during sleep and what happens when it doesn't
15:30 – Warning sign #2: Your digestion is off
20:00 – The fatty liver and dementia connection (APOE, adiponectin)
25:00 – Choline deficiency, fatty liver, and brain health
29:30 – Warning sign #3: You've had mouth infections
33:00 – How periodontal bacteria reach the brain
36:00 – Warning sign #4: You don't eat enough fish
40:30 – Why omega-3 DHA is the structural fat of your brain
44:00 – Warning sign #5: Your blood sugar is too high
49:30 – Insulin resistance, AGEs, and Type 3 diabetes explained
56:00 – Closing thoughts and call to action

RESOURCES

Sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment —
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11348879/
The gut-brain axis and neurological disease — 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10497313/
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cognitive impairment —
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9530447/
Choline intake and dementia risk — 
https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(24)00869-4/fulltext
Choline, fatty liver, and liver damage — 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3729018/
Oral dysbiosis and Alzheimer's disease — 
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.71011
Omega-3 fatty acids and dementia risk reduction — 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10447496/
Insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease — 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8472298/

CONNECT
🔗 Connect with Nurse Doza:
JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/
Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza

Nurse Doza doesn’t always eat lunch — but he never skips protein and animal fat. In this episode, he breaks down why he reaches for clean, 100% grass-fed beef jerky as his go-to midday snack, how the ingredients in Lineage Provisions meat sticks — grass-fed beef, organic apple cider vinegar, and salt — actively support blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and help with weight management. Because what you snack on matters more than you think.

Featured Partner: Lineage Provisions
Lineage Provisions delivers exactly what Nurse Doza looks for in a snack: 100% grass-fed beef made with just three clean ingredients — grass-fed beef, organic apple cider vinegar, and salt. No fillers, no seed oils, no inflammatory junk that undoes the work you’re already putting into your health. Their grass-fed beef jerky and liver meat sticks are the snack Nurse Doza trusts when he skips lunch and still needs to keep his blood sugar stable, energy up, and inflammation down. If you vote with your dollar, vote for ingredients that actually work for your body.
👉 Get your bag here — use code NURSEDOZA at: lineageprovisions.com

 

5 Key Takeaways
Your snack is either working for you or against you. Most processed snacks — even the ones marketed as “protein” options — are loaded with inflammatory seed oils, fillers, and additives that spike blood sugar and undermine your health goals. Ingredients matter more than marketing.
Grass-fed beef is fundamentally different from conventional beef. 100% grass-fed beef contains a significantly more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and greater antioxidant content than grain-fed alternatives — all of which support reduced inflammation in the body.
Protein and animal fat stabilize blood sugar. Skipping carbohydrate-heavy snacks and replacing them with high-protein, animal-fat-rich foods helps blunt postprandial glucose spikes, increases satiety, and supports healthy weight management — all without the energy crash.
Apple cider vinegar is a legitimate blood sugar tool. Organic apple cider vinegar has been shown in clinical research to significantly reduce fasting blood sugar and improve glycemic control — which is one reason it’s a key ingredient in Lineage Provisions grass-fed beef jerky.
You vote with your dollar. Choosing clean, simple-ingredient foods like Lineage Provisions — just beef, organic ACV, and salt — is a direct investment in your long-term health. Better energy, better skin, better digestion. That’s what happens when your snack actually earns its place in your diet.

Resources
1. Fatty Acid Composition of Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Beef — PMC
Peer-reviewed review published in PMC examining how grass-fed beef contains higher levels of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, including EPA, DPA, and DHA, a more favorable n-6:n-3 ratio, and greater concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid compared to grain-fed beef — all of which offer protective effects against inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8728510/
2. Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar on Glycemic Control — Frontiers in Nutrition / PMC (2025)
2025 GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 controlled clinical trials (463 participants) demonstrating that apple cider vinegar significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, supporting its role as a functional food for blood sugar management.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11821484/
3. Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of High-Protein Diet-Induced Weight Loss — PMC
PMC review examining how high-protein diets promote weight loss through elevated satiety hormones (GLP-1, CCK, PYY), increased diet-induced thermogenesis, and preservation of fat-free mass — directly supporting why protein-forward snacking supports healthy body composition and blood sugar stability.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7539343/
4. Apple Cider Vinegar as a Functional Food on Blood Glucose — Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes & Healthcare / PMC (2023)
Randomized controlled clinical trial published in PMC evaluating the effects of prolonged ACV consumption on blood glucose indices and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in glycemic control and supporting ACV as a functional food tool.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10679383/
5. Grass-Fed Beef Fatty Acid Profiles and Antioxidant Content —
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2846864/

Connect with Nurse Doza
🔗 JOIN MY SCHOOL for FREE: https://community.schoolofdoza.com/c/start-here
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcKyagDi468WscAOWM5VHA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursedoza/
Website: http://www.nursedoza.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mendoza-dc-aprn-np-c-0609a038/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursedoza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nursedoza