Q&A Rhya Pachin

Dr. Rhya Pachin, RDN

The Gut-First Wellness Strategist Helping Doctors Optimize Their Healthspan

Rhya Pachin is a nationally recognized expert in functional and integrative nutrition, driven by her own early battle with Hashimoto’s disease and IBS—conditions traditional medicine couldn’t explain. That journey led her to pursue a Master’s in Human Nutrition and advanced training in functional medicine, with one goal: help others uncover and heal the root cause of their symptoms.

As founder of Carolina Functional Nutrition, Rhya works with high-performing professionals—including many in the dental and ortho space—focusing on gut and hormone health, autoimmune conditions, and food sensitivities. Her virtual practice offers personalized coaching, targeted supplement protocols, and comprehensive testing to deliver real, lasting results.

At OP Summit 2025, she’ll show orthodontists how to boost energy, reduce inflammation, and add years to their career—without sacrificing their health to do it.

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Q: Rhya, your session is titled “Live to 100 Without Slowing Down.” What’s the message behind that title, and why is it relevant to orthodontists?

A: The message is simple: it's not just about how long you live, but how well you live. I work with a lot of high-performing professionals—orthodontists included—who are great at taking care of others, but often put their own health last. That leads to burnout, fatigue, brain fog, and in the long run, serious chronic issues.

My session is about helping you protect your energy, performance, and longevity through daily habits that support your gut, reduce inflammation, and optimize how your body functions. It's health strategy for people who don't have time for guesswork.

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Q: You focus heavily on gut health. Why is that the starting point for long-term wellness?

A: Because your gut is connected to everything—your immune system, your energy, your sleep, your mood, your focus. If your gut isn’t functioning well, no amount of supplements or motivation will fix that. The microbiome (your gut bacteria) drives your inflammation response, nutrient absorption, hormone regulation... it’s the foundation.

I’ll explain how your gut health affects everything from mental sharpness to physical resilience, and I’ll give realistic strategies to support it—even for someone with a packed clinical schedule.

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Q: What is “inflammaging,” and how does it relate to aging in the orthodontic profession?

A: “Inflammaging” is the chronic, low-grade inflammation that builds up over time and accelerates aging—both internally and externally. It's tied to heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, joint pain… all the things we think are “just part of getting older.”

But we now know many of those issues are preventable through anti-inflammatory habits—especially nutrition. I’ll show how to lower inflammation using simple, science-backed changes to your diet, stress management, and lifestyle. You don’t need extreme diets or 2-hour routines—just small, consistent shifts that protect your future self.

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Q: What will attendees walk away with after your session?

A: They’ll leave with a customizable game plan to improve energy, clarity, and healthspan—without overhauling their lives. That includes:

• Easy food swaps for better gut and brain health

• A clear breakdown of what to eat more (and less) of

• Recovery strategies post-antibiotics

• How to support the body during stress and long workweeks

• And which supplements are worth it—and which aren’t

Everything I share is designed for real-world orthodontists who want to feel better and stay sharp for decades, not just until retirement.

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Q: What’s your message to doctors who think they’re “too busy” to take care of their own health?

A: If you don’t protect your energy, no one else will. You are the engine of your practice, your family, your life. Taking care of your health isn’t selfish—it’s the most sustainable way to keep showing up at your best.

Start small. Pick one thing from my talk and commit to it. You’ll feel the difference—and once you feel better, it’s easier to keep going.

Live longer, lead stronger.

Catch Rhya Pachin, RDN at OP Summit 2025 in Las Vegas.

🎟 Use promo code PACHIN200 to save $200 off registration.

Your practice runs on your energy—invest in it.