The Optimal Health Blog
The Vagus Nerve- Unlocking the Gut-Brain Connection for Emotional Resilience
The vagus nerve is often described as the body’s “superhighway of communication.” It plays a central role in gut health, stress response regulation, and the mind-body connection. From digestion and inflammation to mood and metabolic health, a healthy vagus nerve is...
Listening to My Body Changed How I Practice Medicine
Twenty years ago, when I started medical school, I had no idea that this would be my path. Coming from a research background in cancer biology and biophysics, I didn’t have much exposure or interest in integrative medicine. My path to practicing integrative and...
Low FODMAP Ground Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
A savory twist on classic comfort food—gut‑friendly, flavorful, and wonderfully nourishing. Craving a satisfying, low-FODMAP dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor? These juicy, herb-infused ground turkey meatballs simmer in a gentle marinara sauce and rest atop tender...
Obesity Medicine For All
https://youtu.be/A4yjX2Kys1w I’m excited to share that I’ll be speaking at the upcoming SoMeDocs Obesity Medicine Conference, September 2-5, 2025, a curated virtual experience designed to educate on the latest in obesity medicine, directly from experts. In my...
Diving Deeper Into Menopausal Hormone Therapy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iUOGD__K8w The landscape of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can be a difficult one to navigate. Prescribing practices have significantly fluctuated over decades. It was estimated that up to 40% of postmenopausal women were on hormone...
How to Detoxify from Chemicals in Our Environment with Dr. Aly Cohen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXxoDCZP018 On this episode of BOJANA MD, we’ll dive into how to detoxify from harmful environmental chemicals with Dr. Aly Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician. We'll be walking through Dr. Aly's...
Deep Dive into Seed Oils and Their Health Impacts
Seed oils have sparked heated debate in recent years, with some hailing them as heart-healthy staples and others warning of hidden health risks. This divide makes it all the more important to unpack the science behind their composition, metabolic effects, and...
Cardiovascular Health and Mental Health with Dr. Satjit Bhusri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggC2VDgEZwk Episode 7 Up to 40% of people with cardiovascular disease have depression and over 50% of people with heart failure have anxiety. It's very important to address this and to make sure that there are robust plans of care for...
Why an Integrative Health Advisor is Essential to Lasting Change
Who Is an Integrative Health Advisor (IHA)? When you work with Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly, you also have access to an Integrative Health Advisor (IHA)—a board-certified nutritionist and certified health coach who collaborates closely with you and your medical...