DR. KELLY MCCANN SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF CHRONIC ILLNESS

Through Functional Medicine

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

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Dr. Kelly McCann, a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and functional medicine specialist, is at the forefront of complex chronic illness treatment. With expertise in environmental toxicity, gut health, and immune dysfunction, she helps patients uncover the hidden causes of their persistent health issues. Dr. McCann sat down with TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli, Editors-in-Chief of longevity and wellness platform Biohack Yourself, for an interview for the influential upcoming women’s health documentary, “sHEALed,” to share groundbreaking insights into how toxins, stress, and overlooked medical conditions impact health—and what can be done to heal.

The sHEALed Documentary is the sister documentary to Biohack Yourself, which became a massive success after exploding on the scene in December 2024 and ignited a firestorm of interest in information focused on health and longevity. Biohack Yourself features 114 prominent and respected high-profile politicians, doctors, bestselling authors, Ph.D.s, M.D.s, scientists, chemists, inventors, biotech investors, and world-renowned academics. Stemming from the success of Biohack Yourself, TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli have grown Biohack Yourself Media to become the number one resource for health news, publishing over 500 articles ranging from breaking news to peer reviewed content.

From Conventional Medicine to Functional Healing

Dr. McCann’s journey began in traditional Western medicine, where she trained at Tulane Medical School and completed a dual residency in internal medicine and pediatrics. However, she quickly realized that conventional medicine often failed to address the root causes of chronic illness.

“I was seeing patients who had been to dozens of doctors without answers. They were told, ‘Your labs are normal,’ or ‘It’s all in your head.’ But they weren’t imagining their symptoms. Their bodies were reacting to something deeper.”

This led her to pursue certifications in integrative and functional medicine, where she discovered the connections between environmental toxins, immune dysregulation, and chronic illness.

The Growing Impact of Environmental Toxins

One of Dr. McCann’s biggest concerns is the invisible burden of toxins on human health. “We are all exposed to hundreds of thousands of chemicals daily,” she explained. “Pesticides, heavy metals, mold toxins, and plastics accumulate in the body and contribute to conditions like autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalances, and neurological disorders.”

She introduced the concept of total body load—the idea that every person has a different capacity to detoxify toxins. “Think of it as a sink,” she said. “Some people have a large sink with a wide drain, meaning they can tolerate more toxins. Others have a tiny sink with a clogged drain, leading to toxic overload and chronic illness.”

How to Identify Toxic Overload

Dr. McCann recommends looking for symptoms such as:

Fatigue and brain fog
Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, food sensitivities)
Joint pain and muscle stiffness
Skin rashes, acne, or unexplained itching
Frequent infections or autoimmunity

For patients struggling with mystery illnesses, she conducts advanced testing, including:

Heavy metal panels
Mold toxin analysis
Genetic testing for detox capacity
Comprehensive stool tests for gut health

Women: The Hidden Canaries in the Coal Mine

Women, Dr. McCann says, are often the first to develop chronic illnesses linked to environmental toxins. “Women are more affected because of hormonal fluctuations, higher body fat storage for toxins, and cultural expectations to ‘push through’ symptoms.”

She frequently treats women suffering from:

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): A condition causing extreme sensitivity to foods, chemicals, and environmental triggers.
Chronic Lyme Disease: Often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.
Mold Toxicity: Hidden exposure leading to brain fog, sinus issues, and inflammation.
Autoimmune disorders: Triggered by persistent toxin exposure.

“We need to stop telling women, ‘It’s just stress or aging.’ If a woman feels something is wrong, she deserves to be heard and tested properly.”

The Role of Emotional Stress in Chronic Illness

Dr. McCann emphasized the link between chronic stress, trauma, and illness. “It’s nearly impossible to heal if you’re stuck in a constant ‘fight or flight’ state.”

She recommends nervous system regulation techniques such as:

Breathwork and meditation to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
EMDR therapy for trauma release.
Gentle movement, like yoga or walking, to reduce cortisol levels.

Detoxification: The Key to Healing

Since many of her patients struggle to detox, Dr. McCann focuses on gentle, sustainable detox strategies:

Clean up your water: “Filter out heavy metals, chlorine, and fluoride to reduce daily toxin exposure.”
Use sauna therapy: “Sweating is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins.”
Support liver health: “Eat cruciferous vegetables, take glutathione, and avoid alcohol.”
Minimize plastic exposure: “Switch to glass storage containers and BPA-free products.”
Reduce household toxins: “Use non-toxic cleaning and personal care products.”

She also recommends testing for microplastics, which have been found in human blood and tissues. “We don’t yet have perfect detox solutions for microplastics, so the best approach is to avoid them as much as possible.”

How She Treats Patients at The Spring Center

Dr. McCann’s California-based practice, The Spring Center, is one of the few functional medicine clinics specializing in chronic, complex conditions. She offers in-person and telehealth consultations for patients across 12 states.

Each patient undergoes a detailed intake process, where she:

Reviews their entire medical history
Identifies potential environmental exposures
Conducts advanced lab testing
Develops a customized treatment plan

“I don’t just treat symptoms—I find the root cause,” she said. “It takes time, but true healing is possible.”

The Future of Functional Medicine & Policy Changes

Dr. McCann believes that healthcare needs systemic change to better support patients with chronic illnesses. She advocates for:

Stronger environmental laws: “We must regulate pesticides, plastics, and industrial chemicals more strictly.”
Better food standards: “The U.S. allows harmful additives that are banned in Europe. We need to fix that.”
Less pharmaceutical advertising: “We’re one of the only countries that allows drug ads—this fuels overprescription.”

She hopes her work will inspire more medical practitioners to shift toward root-cause medicine instead of symptom management.

A Message of Hope for Those Struggling with Chronic Illness

Dr. McCann’s final message is one of empowerment: “Your illness isn’t all in your head, and you don’t have to live this way forever. There are answers, and healing is possible.”

She encourages women to trust their intuition and advocate for their health. “If you know something is wrong, don’t stop searching for answers until you find a practitioner who truly listens.”

With her expertise in functional medicine, detoxification, and chronic illness, Dr. McCann is proving that health isn’t just about managing disease—it’s about finding the root cause and reclaiming vitality.

Check here for information about the upcoming spring 2025 edition Biohack Yourself Magazine, where the team at Biohack Yourself Media dives deeper into their insights on biohacking, longevity and cutting-edge wellness strategies. Biohack Yourself Magazine is the first peer-reviewed longevity publication with international distribution across the U.S. and Canada, bringing science-backed health optimization, functional medicine and performance-driven breakthroughs to a broader audience. Pick up a copy at major retailers, including Barber & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger, Indigo/Chapters, and select fitness gyms and pharmacies.