{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Curious Cardiologist","title":"Beyond \"You're Just Tired\": Jenny Tufenkian on Brainfog, Fatigue, and Healing","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/902d4f07\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3277,"description":"Why do some people never feel “back to normal” after COVID—or after any major illness—despite normal labs? Dr. Sanjay sits down with naturopathic physician and complex-illness specialist Jenny Tufenkian, ND to explore long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/“chronic fatigue syndrome” (ME/CFS): brain fog, fatigue, post-exertional malaise, mast cell activation, and the mental/emotional toll of being dismissed. They discuss root causes (viral reactivation, immune exhaustion, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut involvement), useful biomarkers (blood–brain barrier and neuroinflammation panels, lymphocyte mapping, herpes-family titers), and Jenny’s Five Foundations (digestion, detox, movement/breath & circadian rhythm, mindset/spirit, and connection). You’ll also hear practical starting points—sleep and gut first for many—and why joy, nature, laughter, and community are not “soft” add-ons but nervous-system medicine. Jenny previews her Long COVID 2.0 Summit featuring leading researchers and clinicians.GuestJenny Tufenkian, ND — Naturopathic physician specializing for 20+ years in complex chronic illness, including long COVID and ME/CFS. She leads patient programs focused on root-cause healing and nervous-system regulation and hosts the Long COVID 2.0 Summit.Key topics & takeawaysWhy complex patients get “spit out” by the system: algorithmic care misses multi-system illness; dismissal often defaults to “it’s depression/anxiety.”ME/CFS clarified: better termed myalgic encephalomyelitis—neuro-immune inflammation affecting brain and muscle; symptoms wax and wane.Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM): delayed crash (sometimes 72+ hours later); recognize patterns and “energy budgeting.”Vagus nerve & autonomic dysregulation: buzzing/vibration sensations, high sympathetic tone; mindset and breathwork matter.Viral reactivation: EBV/CMV/HHV-6 can hijack mitochondria and evade immunity; consider immune status (over/under-reactive).Useful labs (examples mentioned):Neuroinflammation/BBB...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/ERjY_X6E6gwO4KLOBaOc5CRJbj_3VbOWBJACPcpnyaQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wZDcw/ODk2MmZhYmViMGVl/ODE2ZGVhMDgwYzJl/NTUyZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}