This interview is with Dr. Jonathan Spages, Doctor, Author at Advanced Natural Health Center.

Dr. Jonathan Spages, Doctor, Author, Advanced Natural Health Center

Dr. Jonathan, could you please introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your background in health and wellness?

I’m Dr. Jonathan Spages, a healthcare professional deeply passionate about addressing the root causes of health issues like Type-2 diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and chronic inflammation. My journey into health and wellness began with a strong belief that traditional approaches often miss the bigger picture of what truly drives health challenges. This inspired me to combine cutting-edge, functional medicine with personalized care to create lasting results for my patients.

Over the years, I’ve written a book titled The Wellness Approach, which explores how lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, and addressing underlying imbalances can transform health. This work opened doors for me, such as becoming the official doctor for the NJ Nets basketball team and sharing my expertise through interviews with major radio stations like Z100 and 103.5 in New York.

In my practice, I emphasize holistic solutions—from improving metabolic health with tailored plans to help patients reset and rebalance through strategies like advanced detox techniques, supplementation, and dietary modifications. My goal is to empower individuals to not only manage their conditions but thrive by taking control of their health and well-being. It’s a privilege to guide people toward better health with actionable, life-changing solutions.

What pivotal moments or experiences led you to dedicate your career to this field?

A pivotal moment that shaped my decision to dedicate my career to health and wellness was the passing of my grandmother, Mary, who died too early from complications related to diabetes. Watching her struggle with this condition and its devastating impact on her health left a lasting impression on me. It was difficult to see her go through so much, especially knowing that, with the right care and guidance, her story could have been different.

Her experience ignited a deep passion in me to find better answers for people dealing with chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes. I became determined to uncover the root causes of these health challenges and provide solutions that go beyond simply managing symptoms. This is why my approach focuses on functional medicine, addressing inflammation, and empowering patients with tools and strategies to take control of their health.

My grandmother’s story continues to inspire me every day to help others avoid the same fate and live longer, healthier lives. It’s what drives me to ensure that no one else’s family has to endure what mine did, and it’s the heart of everything I do in my practice.

You've spoken before about the '5 factors to health' often overlooked in traditional healthcare. Could you share one of these factors with our readers and provide an actionable tip they can implement to improve their well-being?

One of the 'five factors to health' that is often overlooked in traditional healthcare is the importance of healthy eating tailored to the individual's needs. Diet plays a foundational role in overall well-being, yet many people either underestimate its impact or feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice.

An actionable tip to improve your diet is to focus on eliminating inflammatory foods like gluten, soy, and dairy, which are common triggers for many health issues, especially in people with autoimmune conditions. Instead, prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods and incorporate healthy fats, clean proteins, and plenty of vegetables into your meals. For example, swap out inflammatory snacks with options like nuts sprinkled with cinnamon, nitrate-free beef jerky, or clean protein bars like Epic Bars.

Additionally, plan ahead to avoid unhealthy last-minute food choices. I often advise my patients, especially busy individuals like truck drivers, to prepare ten healthy meals at a time—refrigerating nine of them to reheat when needed. This not only supports consistent nutrition but also saves time and reduces stress.

By being intentional about your diet and making small, sustainable changes, you can significantly reduce inflammation, boost energy, and take a meaningful step toward long-term health. Healthy eating isn't just a factor—it's a powerful tool for transformation.

In your book, you mention a story about your father regaining his health after stopping his medications. Can you elaborate on that story and explain what you learned from that experience?

In my book, The Wellness Approach, I share the inspiring story of my father regaining his health, and one of the most pivotal factors in his transformation was Pierce Results Chiropractic care. While nutrition played a role in his recovery, it was chiropractic care that had the most profound impact on his overall health and well-being. My father had been dealing with years of chronic issues that no amount of medication or diet alone could resolve. Through the Pierce Results System, we were able to pinpoint specific misalignments in his spine that were interfering with his nervous system’s ability to function optimally.

After receiving targeted adjustments, his body began to heal more effectively, and his symptoms started to resolve in ways we hadn’t seen before. His energy improved, inflammation decreased, and he found relief from issues that had plagued him for years. This experience highlighted for me the power of chiropractic care in addressing the body’s core systems. While nutrition is essential, the nervous system governs everything, and when it’s functioning properly, the body can heal itself in remarkable ways. My father’s recovery cemented my belief in a holistic approach to health, with chiropractic care as a cornerstone for long-term wellness.

You emphasize the importance of regular testing and structured routines for tracking health progress. What specific tests do you recommend, and how often should individuals consider getting them done?

I strongly emphasize the value of functional lab testing as a cornerstone of tracking and improving health. These tests go beyond traditional diagnostics by identifying underlying imbalances and early warning signs of potential issues, often before symptoms manifest. For example, I recommend comprehensive blood panels every six months to monitor key markers such as blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammation (like CRP), and essential nutrients, including Vitamin D and B12. Regular testing for thyroid health is also critical, and it’s important to assess all 11 thyroid hormones—not just TSH—to get a full picture of thyroid function and how it affects metabolism, energy, and overall well-being.

Additionally, saliva testing is a valuable tool for evaluating stress and hormone balance, particularly cortisol patterns, which play a major role in adrenal health and the body’s stress response. This can be done annually or more frequently if there are signs of imbalance. Gut health and microbiome testing, such as stool analyses, provide insights into digestion, gut bacteria, and potential infections, making them essential for addressing autoimmune conditions and inflammation.

These tests are typically performed once a year or as needed. Another critical assessment is toxin and heavy metal testing, recommended every 1-2 years depending on environmental exposure, to identify and address the impact of harmful substances on the body. For individuals at risk of diabetes or metabolic dysfunction, regular testing of fasting glucose, insulin, and A1C levels every 3-6 months is crucial for monitoring progress and preventing complications.

By incorporating these functional lab tests alongside structured routines for health tracking, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their health and make precise adjustments to their wellness strategies. Functional lab testing, including saliva testing and thorough thyroid assessments, empowers individuals to uncover root causes of health challenges and create personalized, effective interventions for long-term vitality.

For those struggling to establish healthy habits, what's one small change they can make today to set themselves on a path toward better health?

For those struggling to establish healthy habits, one small but impactful change they can make today is to commit to a daily walk, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes. Walking is simple, requires no special equipment, and offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. To maximize the impact, choose a route with slight elevation if possible, which helps improve cardiovascular health and burn more calories.

Pair this habit with staying hydrated and incorporating electrolytes to support energy and recovery, especially in warmer climates or after exertion. Additionally, focus on a single, easy dietary upgrade, like replacing inflammatory snacks with healthier options such as nuts with cinnamon or nitrate-free beef jerky. Small, manageable changes like these can build momentum, making it easier to adopt other healthy habits over time. Remember, the key to lasting success is starting small and staying consistent. These tiny steps can pave the way for profound long-term improvements in health and well-being.

You've successfully integrated telehealth into your practice. What advice would you give to practitioners hesitant to adopt this technology, especially regarding patient care and data security?

Integrating telehealth into my practice has been a game-changer, allowing me to reach and support more patients while maintaining high standards of care. For practitioners hesitant to adopt this technology, my advice is to start with a reliable and secure platform, such as Healthie, which is designed specifically for healthcare professionals. A good platform ensures data security and compliance with HIPAA regulations, which is a top priority when handling sensitive patient information.

When it comes to patient care, telehealth can actually enhance the provider-patient relationship by increasing accessibility and convenience. It allows you to deliver personalized guidance, follow-ups, and even detailed educational materials in real-time, all from the comfort of the patient's home. For example, I've found telehealth particularly effective for helping patients track progress, review lab results, and implement dietary or lifestyle changes with ongoing support.

To make the transition smoother, start by incorporating telehealth for specific services, such as follow-ups or consultations, rather than overhauling your entire practice at once. Focus on clear communication and ensuring that patients understand how to use the platform. By framing telehealth as a complement to in-person visits, rather than a replacement, you can ease concerns while providing a seamless experience that benefits both you and your patients.

How do you envision the future of health and wellness evolving, and what role do you see technology playing in this evolution?

The future of health and wellness is becoming more personalized, preventive, and technology-driven. Instead of reacting to symptoms, we’ll focus on addressing root causes with tools like wearable devices, advanced diagnostics, and functional lab testing. Technology will play a key role, with telehealth platforms like Healthie enabling secure communication and remote care.

Artificial intelligence will improve diagnostics and personalize treatments, while advancements in nanotechnology and detox protocols will help optimize health further. This shift will make health management more accessible and convenient, empowering individuals to track progress and receive tailored recommendations for diet, exercise, and supplementation. Technology will enable people to take greater control of their wellness, paving the way for healthier, happier lives.

What's the most rewarding aspect of your work in health and wellness, and what keeps you motivated?

The most rewarding aspect of my work in health and wellness is hearing the testimonials from patients whose lives have been transformed. Whether it’s a diabetic truck driver who regains energy and control through better meal planning or a patient who overcomes chronic inflammation by addressing root causes, these success stories are what fuel my passion.

Knowing that my guidance helps people not just manage their conditions but truly thrive keeps me motivated every day. When a patient tells me they’ve reduced medications, regained mobility, or even achieved health goals they once thought impossible, it reaffirms the importance of what I do. These testimonials are a constant reminder that holistic, personalized care can make a profound difference.

What keeps me going is the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live a healthier, more fulfilling life. Seeing firsthand the positive impact of functional medicine, dietary changes, and chiropractic care inspires me to continue innovating and finding better ways to help others achieve lasting wellness.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you.