In this episode of the Vibrant Wellness Podcast, Dr. Emmie Brown and Melissa Gentile join functional medicine practitioner Dr. Katie Zaremba to explore the often-overlooked influence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) on hormonal health, chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and fertility. Since over 90% of the population has been exposed to EBV, Dr. Zaremba describes how the virus can stay dormant for years and reactivate under immune stress—often going undetected in traditional care.
Dr. Zaremba emphasizes EBV’s role in triggering or worsening autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s, often before any changes show up in standard thyroid tests. This immune disruption can affect ovulation, decrease progesterone production, and influence early pregnancy outcomes, especially in women with underlying hormonal imbalances. She also discusses how chronic viral stress depletes vital nutrients—vitamins D, A, C, E, zinc, and selenium—crucial for immune function, hormone production, and reproductive health. Her basic approach centers on rebuilding resilience through quality sleep, stress management, nutrient replenishment, and education on ovulation tracking and cycle awareness.
To identify hidden viral burdens, Dr. Zaremba uses a targeted testing framework that includes EBV antibody panels (IGG, IGM, and Early Antigen), thyroid antibodies, inflammatory markers like CRP, and nutrient assessments. She also considers toxin testing—such as mycotoxins, heavy metals, and chemical exposures—in cases of unexplained fatigue or infertility. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Zaremba emphasizes the value of clinical discernment and phased care to avoid overwhelming patients. Her integrative model combines functional diagnostics with practical, individualized coaching to help providers recognize and address chronic EBV reactivation and its ripple effects on thyroid function, fertility, and overall health.
🎙 Key Topics Covered
🦠 Why Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) often goes undetected in conventional medicine
💤 How EBV reactivation contributes to fatigue, brain fog, and thyroid dysfunction
🧬 The link between chronic viral infections, autoimmunity, and fertility challenges
🧪 What to test for: EBV panels, thyroid antibodies, nutrient levels, and inflammation markers
🥗 How nutrient depletion from infections impacts hormone balance and immune resilience
⚠️ When to investigate toxins like mold, mycotoxins, and heavy metals
🪣 How to reduce the “stress bucket” through phased, lifestyle-first interventions
📈 Practical strategies for clinicians to support patients without overwhelming them
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Katie Zaremba and the topic of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
00:48 – EBV overview: prevalence, reactivation, and immune stress
01:30 – Why EBV often goes undetected in conventional care
03:00 – Common reactivation symptoms: fatigue, brain fog, liver enzymes
04:20 – The link between EBV, autoimmunity, and Hashimoto’s
05:45 – How immune dysregulation disrupts ovulation and fertility
07:05 – Why tracking ovulation is foundational for hormonal health
08:15 – Viral stress and nutrient depletion: vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, selenium
09:30 – Dr. Zaremba phased approach to care: sleep, stress, and nourishment
11:00 – Functional lab testing: EBV antibodies, thyroid panels, nutrient levels
12:40 – When to explore mycotoxins, heavy metals, and environmental exposures
14:10 – The “stress bucket” metaphor: explaining total body burden to patients
15:30 – Helping patients feel empowered instead of overwhelmed
17:00 – Supporting patients who feel stuck in fear or burnout
18:25 – How personal experiences shaped Dr. Zaremba clinical lens
19:45 – Why women normalize symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored
21:15 – Root causes of chronic fatigue and unexplained infertility
22:35 – Recognizing red flags for mold illness and persistent immune stress
24:00 – The impact of mindset, stress response, and nervous system regulation
25:20 – Building capacity instead of restricting everything
26:30 – Why eating breakfast matters for hormone and blood sugar balance
27:45 – Tension around food choices: shifting from rigidity to flexibility
29:00 – Patterns Dr. Zaremba sees in high-performing, burnt-out women
30:15 – Letting go of "doing everything right" and focusing on foundational needs
31:30 – Working with cyclical symptoms and rebuilding trust in your body
33:00 – The role of connection, safety, and community in healing
34:20 – Patient education as a tool for empowerment and resilience
35:40 – The power of tracking your cycle to monitor recovery and health
37:00 – Why ignoring subtle symptoms can delay healing
38:10 – Reframing symptoms as signals, not failures
39:30 – Long-term strategies for supporting immune and endocrine systems
41:00 – Why “less is more” when rebuilding the body
42:30 – Creating sustainable routines and avoiding protocol overload
44:00 – Final advice: don’t ignore fatigue, track your cycle, and get curious
45:30 – Where to find Dr. Zaremba and learn more about her practice
46:15 – Closing thoughts
🔗 Resources Mentioned
🌐 Dr. Zaremba Website: https://www.drkatiezaremba.com/
📘 Follow Dr. Zaremba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatiezaremba/
📸 Follow Dr. Zaremba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allnaturaldoc/
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Limitations
Please note the information provided by Vibrant Wellness is intended solely for research and informational purposes to help inform lifestyle choices aimed at potential risk mitigation. The information is not intended to be used by the patient for any diagnostic purpose and is not a substitute for medical advice by a healthcare practitioner. Please consult a licensed healthcare practitioner for any questions regarding diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or health assessment.