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Root Cause Medicine, Longevity & The Truth About Your Health with Dr. Sogol Ash

  • Jun 27
  • 9 min read



About Dr. Sogol Ash


Dr. Sogol Ash is a functional longevity doctor and one of the most sought-after root cause physicians in the country, based in Los Angeles. Originally trained as a naturopathic doctor, her background combines Eastern and Western medicine with a focus on treating the whole person, not just symptoms.


  • Master’s in Global Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine

  • Doctorate from Bastyr University

  • Advanced training through the Institute for Functional Medicine

  • Featured in Forbes, TIME, CNBC, Fox News, New York Post

  • Specialties: Functional medicine, longevity, hormones, gut health, peptides, regenerative therapies, stem cells, herbal medicine


    Listen now

Topics Covered


  • Biomarker testing and optimal lab ranges

  • Sleep optimization

  • Hormones: thyroid, DHEA, cortisol, testosterone

  • Gut health: leaky gut, SIBO, Candida, constipation

  • Mitochondrial health

  • Toxins, mold, heavy metals, parasites

  • Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance

  • Joint pain and autoimmunity

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, nervous system regulation

  • Peptides: stacking, protocols, favorites

  • Detox protocols and phase-by-phase healing

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Lab Testing Dr. Sogol Recommends


Full Blood Panel (100+ Biomarkers)

  • Dr. Sogol’s basic panel includes 100+ markers

  • Recommends Function Health ($365) as an accessible option — runs the same markers she uses in practice

  • Standard doctors typically only run 18–20 markers — not enough


Key Markers She Prioritizes

  • Insulin + A1C + fasting blood sugar — to detect insulin resistance early, long before diabetes

  • Full thyroid panel — TSH alone is not enough; must include:

    • Free T3

    • Free T4

    • Thyroid antibodies (to detect Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism)

  • DHEA — chronically low in nearly everyone; precursor to hormones including testosterone; low DHEA = burnout

  • Cortisol — blood, saliva, and urine testing; tracks the cortisol curve throughout the day

  • Full hormone panel

  • Vitamin D — optimal range: 60–90 (not just “normal” which can be as low as 20)

  • Ferritin / iron — commonly very low; people running on fumes with ferritin of 6 or 12


Additional Testing She Recommends


  • Genetic / DNA Blueprint — combined with blood work, gives a complete picture; helps identify risk for Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, mold susceptibility, caffeine metabolism, methylation issues

  • Vibrant Gut Zoomer — one of the most advanced gut health tests available; shows full microbiome snapshot, gut barrier integrity, leaky gut markers, neurotransmitter ratios, toxic estrogen recirculation

  • 3-Day Stool Test — minimum 3 samples to catch parasites; she often treats regardless if patient has symptoms

  • Cortisol Saliva + Urine Test — maps the cortisol curve; identifies why patients wake at 3–4am or can’t fall asleep

  • Heavy Metal / Toxin Testing

“If your doctor is telling you your labs are normal and you don’t feel fine — you have to question that. You have to advocate for yourself.”

Sleep Optimization


Why Sleep Is Non-Negotiable

  • Sleep is where hormones are secreted and repair/regeneration happens

  • Cannot out-supplement poor sleep — hormones will never optimize without fixing sleep first

  • Glymphatic system cleans the brain during sleep; memories are sorted and consolidated

  • Most detoxification also happens during sleep

  • Cortisol curve must be optimized for proper melatonin rise at night


The Cortisol Curve Pattern

  • Ideal: high in the morning → steady rise → drops through the day → low at night so melatonin can rise

  • Common problem 1: Cortisol spikes at night → can’t fall asleep

  • Common problem 2: Low cortisol in the morning, spikes at night → waking at 3–4am


Sleep Supplements Dr. Sogol Recommends

  • Cortisol Manager by Integrative Therapeutics — contains Magnolia and phosphatidylserine; helps regulate cortisol for better sleep

  • Magnesium glycinate

  • Glycine

  • Taurine — mentioned alongside glycine and magnesium glycinate as a trio stack that improves HRV and sleep scores

  • Apigenin — longevity molecule derived from chamomile extract; calming and sedative properties

  • Chamomile tea as a nighttime ritual

Does not recommend going straight to melatonin — amino acids and these stacks should come first

Sleep Hacks She Loves

  • No caffeine after 12pm (varies by genetics — she runs caffeine metabolism on genetic tests)

  • Happy Light (10,000 lux) every morning to set circadian rhythm and cortisol curve

  • Natural sunlight in the morning without sunglasses — lets eyes register light to fix cortisol curve

  • Oura Ring — tracks deep sleep; she prioritizes deep sleep percentage over total hours


Gut Health


Constipation

  • Should have at least 1 bowel movement per day, ideally 2–3

  • Common causes: standard American diet, medications, toxins, dehydration, low fiber

  • SIBO very common in her patient population

Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)

  • Seen in almost every patient

  • Causes: pesticides, antibiotics, mold, toxins, processed food, plastic water bottles

  • Symptoms: joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, anxiety

  • Leads to immune system overreaction, autoimmunity, mood issues

Leaky Gut Healing Protocol

  • L-glutamine — 12–15 grams per day (most products are too low at 3g; need 3g x 4 times daily)

  • Immunoglobulins / Colostrum — heals gut and supports immune system (dairy-free derivatives available)

  • Soothing/carminative herbs: fennel, chamomile, marshmallow root, aloe vera

  • DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) — for reflux; natural alternative to Tums

  • Glutathione — topical transdermal (Glutaryl brand mentioned); smells but works

SIBO Protocol

  • 8–12 week protocol minimum

  • High-dose antimicrobial herbs

  • Garlic/allicin — Ali Mac brand

  • Biocidin — broad-spectrum antimicrobial herbal blend

  • Note: Rifaximin (antibiotic) has very high recurrence rate; prefers herbal route or combined approach

Gut Testing She Uses

  • Vibrant Gut Zoomer — preferred; shows microbiome, leaky gut markers, neurotransmitter ratios, toxic estrogen

  • Jonah (also mentioned as an option)

Favorite Probiotic/Gut Supplement

  • Saccharomyces boulardii — good yeast to crowd out Candida and other bad organisms

  • Personalized probiotics based on stool test results

  • Commonly sees patients with zero Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium


Hormones


DHEA

  • Chronically low in nearly every patient — CEOs, founders, moms, people in perimenopause

  • Acts as a precursor to hormones including testosterone

  • Low DHEA = body is burnt out; she looks at DHEA:cortisol ratio

  • Optimal for men: 300–400+ range

Thyroid

  • Most doctors only check TSH — not enough

  • Must check: Free T3, Free T4, TSH, Thyroid Antibodies

  • Many people go undiagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s their entire lives

  • Function Health tests all of these

Cortisol

  • Deeply linked to sleep, caffeine, blood sugar, and insulin

  • Uses saliva and urine testing to map full daily cortisol curve

  • New cortisol-tracking wearable expected to launch soon (mentioned as exciting)


Mitochondrial Health

“There is no illness that doesn’t have an element of mitochondrial dysfunction.”

  • Mitochondria = the cell’s battery packs; make all cellular energy (ATP)

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction linked to: fatigue, brain fog, gray hair, neurodegenerative disease, heart disease

  • Loves stacking peptides with NAD/NR (niagen) for mitochondrial support


Toxins, Mold & Heavy Metals


  • Almost everyone she sees has some toxin burden

  • Quarter of population has genetics that make them less able to detox mold

  • Leaky gut allows toxins to cross into the bloodstream and brain — “leaky gut, leaky brain”

  • Toxins affect: gut, hormones, cholesterol, joints, anxiety, kids’ behavior and development

Drainage Pathway Protocol (Phase 1 — Before Any Detox)

Must open drainage pathways BEFORE detoxing or die-off will feel terrible:

  • Ensure daily bowel movements

  • Ensure sweating (if no sweat after 2-hour workout → pathways are clogged)

  • Lymphatics

  • Kidneys

  • Bile flow

Detox Support

  • Liver support supplements (recommends for most people periodically)

  • Binders — used when releasing toxins (especially during sauna) to bind and eliminate them

  • Sauna — great for detox, but make sure binders are used


Parasite Protocol


Herbal Options

  • Sweet wormwood

  • Biocidin

  • Celcore Detox — Para 1, Para 2, Para 3 (phased approach)

Medication Options (when needed)

  • Alinia (Nitazoxanide) — short protocol; calms inflammation fast; good for sensitive patients; also helps SIBO

  • Ivermectin — used within right context

  • Blastocystis (tough parasite) may need combined herbal + medication approach

“Even if the stool test shows no parasites — I often treat anyway. I don’t always buy it. And they feel 100 times better.”

Candida

  • Feeds on sugar; sugar cravings are a key symptom

  • Can manifest as: gut overgrowth, vaginal candidiasis, skin issues

  • Saccharomyces boulardii — good yeast to crowd out Candida

  • Candida Bactin AR / Candida Bactin BR — herbal blends for Candida

  • Biocidin — broad-spectrum antimicrobial; works on Candida, SIBO, parasites

  • Allicin from garlic (Ali Mac)

  • Olive leaf extract


Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) & Histamine


  • MCAS was barely diagnosed 5–10 years ago; now extremely common

  • Mast cells are chronically activated, releasing histamine nonstop

  • Symptoms: itching, heat, redness, hives, pimples, flushing after exercise

  • Root cause: dysregulated nervous system — must stabilize nervous system first

  • Not everyone with histamine issues has full MCAS — some just have histamine intolerance from poor gut health

KPV Peptide

  • One of her favorites for MCAS and histamine

  • Calms mast cells, reduces histamine, heals leaky gut, reduces overall inflammation

Nervous System Regulation (for MCAS and overall health)

  • Vagus nerve toning:

    • Gargling daily

    • Humming or singing

    • Breathwork / meditation

  • Craniosacral therapy — gentle bodywork manipulating cerebrospinal fluid; deeply calming

  • Biofeedback — sensors show real-time HRV; helps patients see stress response

  • EMDR

  • Ketamine therapy

  • Stellate Ganglion Block — invasive but powerful; shuts off fight-or-flight response

  • Vagus nerve devices


Joint Pain & Autoimmunity


Root Causes

  • Toxins

  • Leaky gut triggering immune overreaction

  • Genetics (soft tissue susceptibility, methylation issues, mold sensitivity)

Treatment Approach

  • Modulate the immune system (calm it down if overactive, stimulate if worn out)

  • Thymosin Alpha 1 peptide — go-to for joint pain and autoimmunity

  • Fix gut, fix toxins, reduce systemic inflammation


Anxiety & Panic Attacks


Root Causes

  • Gut dysbiosis (neurotransmitters made in the gut)

  • Toxins / mold

  • Hormone imbalance

  • Genetics

Natural Approaches

  • Phosphatidylserine — calming, supports cortisol, can take day or night

  • L-theanine

  • 5-HTP — supports serotonin balance

  • Glycine, taurine, magnesium glycinate

  • Nervous system regulation (see above)

  • Amino acid IVs

  • Herbs: valerian root (powerful — caution with sensitive individuals), chamomile

Uses Zoloft only as a short-term bridge when absolutely needed; prefers to find root cause

Dr. Sogol’s Favorite Peptides


1. Thymosin Alpha 1

  • Immune modulator; helps regulate overactive or underactive immune system

  • Thymus gland shrinks with age; this peptide supports T-cell immune function

  • Uses: autoimmunity, joint pain, energy, frequent illness, inflammation

  • Being studied for cancer applications

2. KPV

  • Gut healing, mast cell calming, histamine reduction

  • Reduces overall inflammation

  • Great for people with MCAS or histamine intolerance

3. SS-31 (mitochondrial peptide)

  • Works on mitochondrial health

  • Reduces oxidative stress

  • Pairs well with NAD/NR for energy and cellular repair

4. BPC-157 + TB-500 (combo)

  • BPC = Body Protection Compound; one of the most studied peptides

  • Tissue regeneration, gut healing, overall healing

  • Note: angiogenic (creates new blood vessels) — caution in certain patients

  • TB-500 pairs well with BPC for recovery and repair

5. Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin

  • Growth hormone peptides

  • Not recommended until foundational health is in order

Peptide Stacking Philosophy

  • Recommends against stacking too many peptides without knowing what each one is doing

  • Introduce one at a time

  • Build foundational stack first (mitochondria, immune modulation)

  • Make sure body is strong enough to handle growth hormone peptides like Tesamorelin/CJC

  • Loves combining peptides with NAD/NR for mitochondrial synergy

  • Mentions Dr. Jonathan Kuo’s 10-peptide protocol as an example of more advanced stacking

“You cannot out-peptide a depleted system. The better your foundations, the better your body will respond to peptides.”

3-Phase Healing Protocol


Phase 1: Open Drainage Pathways

  • Get bowel movements daily

  • Ensure sweating

  • Support lymphatics, kidneys, bile flow

  • Possibly introduce foundational peptides to strengthen the body

Phase 2: Kill / Detox

  • Antimicrobial herbs, parasite protocols, mold detox

  • Can use peptides, herbs, or medications

  • Die-off is managed because drainage pathways are already open

Phase 3: Rebuild & Repair

  • Can take 1–2 years depending on the case

  • Probiotics, gut healing supplements, hormone support, nutrient repletion

  • Lifestyle optimization


Products & Brands Mentioned


Product / Brand Use Function Health 100+ biomarker blood panel ($365) Vibrant Gut Zoomer Comprehensive gut health + microbiome test Cortisol Manager – Integrative Therapeutics Sleep + cortisol regulation Biocidin Broad-spectrum antimicrobial; SIBO, Candida, parasites Celcore Detox (Para 1/2/3) Parasite protocol Candida Bactin AR / BR Candida protocol Glutaryl Topical transdermal glutathione Ali Mac (Allicin) Garlic-derived antimicrobial Oura Ring Sleep tracking; she monitors deep sleep % Happy Light (10,000 lux) Morning circadian rhythm + cortisol reset Alinia / Nitazoxanide Anti-parasitic medication (short protocol) Ivermectin Anti-parasitic (within right clinical context)


People & Experts Mentioned

  • Dr. Jonathan Kuo — known for advanced 10-peptide stacking protocols

  • Bryan Johnson — mentioned as example of extreme sleep optimization

  • Dr. Oliver Zolman — nasal breathing and airway health for longevity; Jenny’s prior podcast guest

  • Mark Hyman — mentioned in context of toxin exposure being universal

  • Casey (patient/friend) — uses magnesium glycinate + glycine + taurine combo; achieved 95 Oura sleep score


Key Takeaways


  1. Get a full functional blood panel (100+ markers) — not just a standard annual physical

  2. Optimal vitamin D is 60–90, not just “in range”

  3. Sleep is the foundation — cannot out-supplement poor sleep

  4. Fix the gut before anything else — 70% of immune system lives there

  5. Everyone should be going to the bathroom 1–3x per day

  6. Open drainage pathways BEFORE starting any detox protocol

  7. DHEA is chronically low in nearly everyone — check it

  8. Test don’t guess — personalize everything based on labs, genetics, and stool tests

  9. Peptides are powerful tools but cannot replace foundational health work

  10. Nervous system regulation is non-negotiable — especially for MCAS and histamine issues

  11. Vagus nerve toning: gargle daily, hum/sing, breathwork

  12. You don’t know how good you can feel — most people have normalized fatigue and poor health


Connect with Dr. Sogol Ash


About Jenny Jones | BiohackerBlondie


Jenny Jones is the founder of Happier Health Fitness and Happier Health Supplements, host of the BiohackerBlondie Podcast, health coach, and author of Biohack For Life. Based in Miami, Florida, Jenny is on a mission to help people optimize their health through biohacking, functional medicine, and real food.



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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement, peptide, or health protocol.


 
 
 

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